GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Michigan Republican Party headed into a runoff election for attorney general after delegates on Saturday delivered a victory for former President Donald Trump's preferred secretary of state candidate, Kristina Karamo.
Kalamazoo lawyer Matt DePerno, whom Trump endorsed for attorney general, was locked in a tight race with former House Speaker Tom Leonard of DeWitt, requiring a second round of voting. Third place finisher State Rep. Ryan Berman of Commerce Township quickly backed Leonard and began campaigning for the former speaker's nomination ahead of a second round of voting.
The renewed campaigning was prompted because DePerno gained 49% of the votes on the first ballot, falling just short of the 50% threshold to take the Michigan GOP convention's endorsement. Leonard got 40%.
