In a new book titled "Finish What We Started," author Isaac Arnsdorf delves into the MAGA movement and exposes the shocking transformation of the Republican Party through the personal account of Kathy Petsas, a lifelong Republican and former GOP legislative chair. Petsas' story offers a glimpse into the ideological shift that has taken place within the party, leading to the rise of far-right ideologies and the erosion of traditional Republican values.

Petsas, who had been actively involved in supporting GOP candidates, initially had reservations about Donald Trump. She even voted for former Ohio Gov. John Kasich during the primary elections. However, Petsas remained loyal to the party and served as a delegate at the GOP convention. It was after the 2020 election that she witnessed a profound change that would forever alter her perspective.

Months following the election, Petsas had coffee meetings with 132 potential candidates for precinct committee positions. To her surprise, many of them were ardent supporters of conspiracy theories, fueled by figures like Steve Bannon and media outlets such as OANN and the "Gateway Pundit." They believed in a grand conspiracy that denied Trump a second term, with some even suggesting that he was fighting a global cabal of Satan-worshipping child sex traffickers.

Petsas spent years fighting against extremists within the Republican Party, starting with her involvement in countering Donald Trump's birther campaign in 2008. She believed that elected officials should represent everyone, not just their own supporters. However, she witnessed a growing cult of personality around Trump, where loyalty to him took precedence over representing the interests of all constituents. This trend deeply troubled Petsas.

As the 2020 election approached, Petsas found it unsettling that Trump's supporters wholeheartedly believed his false claims. What troubled her even more were the Republicans who knew better but went along with him regardless. Her efforts to detoxify the party were thwarted when higher-ups in GOP leadership pushed for Trump loyalists to be included in precinct committees, even if they had never voted before 2020.

By May 2021, to Petsas' dismay, she found herself attending district meetings alongside QAnon believers within her own committee. She witnessed their disruptive actions, from shutting down school board meetings over mask mandates to protesting against housing undocumented immigrants. The experience was an eye-opener for Petsas, who had hoped for a "normal" group of Republicans.

Petsas eventually encountered opposition from a woman who had not voted in 2018 and was not even a registered Republican between 2016 and 2020. Despite her refusal to engage with her opponent, behind the scenes, Steve Bannon rallied supporters to combat the "establishment." In an ambush, Petsas was eventually removed from her position.

"Finish What We Started" provides a window into the larger narrative of the GOP's struggle to combat the influence of far-right ideologies that were once considered fringe. Petsas' account mirrors similar stories of party members who have witnessed the transformation of the Republican Party, with extremist ideologies steadily infiltrating its ranks.

This book serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle for the soul of the GOP, as traditional Republican values clash with the rise of far-right, populist ideologies. As the party grapples with this internal struggle, its ability to effectively represent the interests of a diverse electorate hangs in the balance.