A recent Republican party gathering in Michigan to nominate candidates for office showcased the waning influence of two prominent election deniers in the state and exposed deep-seated divisions within the party. The event was further marred by the withdrawal of Matthew DePerno, who is facing charges related to allegations of improper access to voting machines after the 2020 election.

DePerno, a rightwing attorney from Kalamazoo, Michigan, had been a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump's baseless claims of a stolen election in Michigan. After losing the 2022 race for Michigan attorney general to Dana Nessel, DePerno had announced his candidacy for the state supreme court. However, just hours before the party convention, he made a sudden decision to withdraw, stating his intent to utilize his knowledge about elections to help Republicans get elected.

The chaotic gathering also saw Kristina Karamo, an outspoken elections conspiracy theorist, facing setbacks of her own. Karamo had previously served as the chair of the state party but was ousted amidst accusations of financial mismanagement. During the convention, she was escorted out of the venue by police officers after her all-access pass was revoked.

The Michigan Republican party has long been embroiled in internal strife caused by the influence of Christian nationalism, election conspiracies, and extremism. The attempts to remove Karamo earlier this year drew national attention to the ongoing divisions within the party. The recent convention only served to confirm the persistence of these deep divides.

Questioned about the unrest at the convention, Karamo, accompanied by her supporters, attributed it to corruption within the party. Pockets of dissent and disagreement were evident as attendees engaged in heated debates and expressed their frustrations through boos and yells.

In an unusual move, the Republicans at the convention nominated six individuals as presidential electors for the upcoming year, who were dubbed "fake electors" from the controversial 2020 election. Following DePerno's withdrawal, they also selected Patrick O'Grady, a circuit court judge, as their nominee for the state supreme court.

The messy affair at the Michigan Republican party convention serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing repercussions stemming from baseless claims of election fraud and the lasting impact it has had on the party's unity and public perception. Going forward, the party faces significant challenges in repairing its image and bridging the gaps that continue to divide its members.