The above video is Suzy Avery negotiating for entry into the 2023 Spring Convention which was broken a few weeks later by Brent Leininger and several clips from the hours long District 5 Convention held earlier this year, after it became known Brent once again lied to the State Committee and manipulated yet another precinct delegate election to regain control of the Hillsdale County Republican Party. The entire video is being reviewed by the Michigan Republican Party Policy Committee along with pages of documentation gathered over the past several years.
Hillsdale County has endured an unprecedented political struggle between grassroots conservatives and entrenched government officials who habitually misuse their elected offices to manipulate internal party elections and silence the voices of true Republican delegates. Amidst that battle, the Michigan Republican Party State Committee and its Policy Committee have stepped forward in defense of integrity, fairness, and the voice of the people.
We would like to extend our deepest thanks to the MIGOP State Committee and specifically the Policy Committee for working closely with Michigan’s 5th Congressional District leadership and the Hillsdale County Conservative base to begin restoring lawful and ethical governance within our county party.
A Long Fight for Truth and Representation
From Fall 2020 and still going strong, Hillsdale County Conservatives have endured a series of illegal and unethical actions:
- Despite electing new officers through proper conventions and securing formal recognition from MIGOP on multiple occasions, our organization was constantly under legal siege by a small faction of powerful local officials with partisan agendas.
- 2020 Statutory members repeatedly failed to engage in party activities, until new grassroots leadership brought energy and accountability to the local party.
- 2022 Government officials interfered in delegate elections — including rejecting 26 valid affidavits on fabricated grounds, misusing official authority to reduce precinct delegate allotments, and organizing rump conventions with improperly credentialed delegates.
- 2023 A wave of political and legal retaliation followed, including lawsuits targeting legitimate party officers, contempt charges for community events, and even criminal charges filed over a children’s community event Facebook post.
- 2024 Once again, Government officials interfered in delegate elections after the State Committee in good faith with the Hillsdale Conservatives allowed them into Convention in exchange for raising the County delegate slots back to where they always have been. Instead, Brent Leininger with the help of County Clerk Marney Cast, Ass. Clerk Abe Dane and Judge Bianchi, with the help of County Sheriff Hodshire who was called in to silence any opposition during the Hillsdale election committee meeting, dropped the delegate count from the previously manipulated 100 delegates to 50 delegates.
These tactics were not only antithetical to Republican values but violated multiple provisions of Michigan election law, MIGOP bylaws, and constitutional rights.
MIGOP’s Role in Restoring Order
The Policy Committee of the State Committee is now stepping up and finally demonstrating some courage and clarity by:
- Listening to the documented abuses and carefully reviewing the evidence.
- Working directly with the 5th District to explore legal remedies and structural solutions.
- Defending the rights of delegates to be seated at state conventions.
- Supporting peaceful resolutions when possible — such as the delegate-sharing agreement brokered during the March 2024 State Convention, that was unfortunately broken by Brent Leininger’s corrupt government party.
- Maintaining the credibility of the party’s internal processes by upholding bylaws, enforcing fairness, and pushing back on corruption.
Your support is not merely symbolic. It is a lifeline to those of us fighting from the grassroots level with limited resources but unshakable commitment to Republican principles: limited government, election integrity, family values, and the protection of God-given constitutional rights.
Looking Ahead: A New Chapter
Though the struggle is not over, and we continue to navigate the consequences of past corruption — including unjust contempt rulings and financial penalties — the groundwork is being laid for accountability, transparency, and renewal.
Thanks to your partnership, Hillsdale County conservatives:
- Reaffirmed our values.
- Recruited over 140 dues-paying members and 50+ new delegates each election cycle.
- Knocked over 15,000 doors, placed 4,000 signs, and supported successful candidates like Senator Jonathan Lindsey.
- Raised over $15,000 every year for community engagement and organized large-scale outreach events, including one of the top Lincoln Day Dinners in the state.
This is what a thriving, responsive, and honorable Republican Party looks like —
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to MIGOP Chair Jim Runestad, Policy Chair Dan Bonamie, the overwhelming support of 5th District Caucus, and every member of the State Committee who takes the time to listen, support, and stand for what is right. Your integrity has given hope not only to Hillsdale County but to grassroots Republicans across Michigan who believe in the importance of self-governance and our Constitution.
Let this be a reminder: the power of the Republican Party is not in the titles held, but in the voices of its people and the principles it stands for.
Thank you for standing with the grassroots. Thank you for standing with Hillsdale.
The Hillsdale Conservatives.
