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Michigan GOP considers moving Mackinac Island conference to save money
Oakland County GOP chair talks state convention, fall election outlook
Vance Patrick, chairman of the Oakland County Republican Party, talks with Detroit News political reporters Craig Mauger and Beth LeBlanc.
LANSING — Michigan Republicans are considering changing the location of their biennial leadership conference at Mackinac Island’s historic Grand Hotel in a bid that could save the state party hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Forty-three days before a midterm election that has focused heavily on economic pressures facing voters, Michigan GOP Chairman Jim Runestad outlined, during a Sept. 21 virtual meeting with Republican delegates, the possibility of shifting the location of the 2027 conference to Mackinac Island’s Mission Point Resort.
Mission Point would require only $60,000 in food and drink revenue from the event, while the Grand Hotel would require $250,000, according to information presented to delegates. Likewise, the Grand Hotel would mandate $444,743 in guest room revenue, but Mission Point didn’t have a similar policy, according to the presentation.
“Nothing against the Grand Hotel,” Runestad told delegates on Sept. 21. “We are just looking at options, you know, from a fiscal responsibility angle.”
The Michigan Republican Party has been holding a leadership conference every other year on Mackinac Island for about seven decades. The event, which has drawn GOP political stars from across the country, has traditionally taken place in late September at the Grand Hotel.
In 2015, for instance, five of the GOP presidential contenders for 2016 came: Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz; former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush; businesswoman Carly Fiorina; then-Ohio Gov. John Kasich; and Kentucky U.S. Sen. Rand Paul.
Four years later, the conference drew a sitting vice president, Mike Pence.
However, in recent years, the event has been caught up in Republican infighting and fundraising struggles. The September 2027 conference — the 37th biennial edition — would likely be a platform for 2028 GOP presidential hopefuls to talk to Michigan Republicans and the media.
On the call with delegates, Runestad didn’t reveal details about the party’s finances ahead of the Nov. 3 election. The chairman said the conference has traditionally been funded by registration fees and sponsorships.
“That’s a lot of work,” Runestad said of obtaining sponsors for the conference.
The Grand Hotel opened in 1887 and is known, in part, for its iconic porch with a picturesque view of the Straits of Mackinac connecting Lakes Huron and Michigan.
Runestad took questions from delegates that were submitted in writing on Sept. 21. Most of the comments about the potential location change were positive with people citing the cost savings.
“Go to the other hotel if it’s cheaper,” one commenter whose name wasn’t listed said, according to the remarks read by Runestad.
“Mission Point brings substantial savings,” another commenter whose name wasn’t listed said. “More cash available to support candidates.”
Ultimately, Runestad, who is also a state senator from White Lake, indicated he will make the decision on whether to change the location of the conference. Runestad said the decision must be made by Oct. 2.
The chairman added that he was opposed to moving the conference away from Mackinac Island.
“It’s been there for over 70 years,” Runestad said. “It’s a tradition. So we definitely want to stay there.”
At the end of the hour-long meeting, Sunny Reddy, the party’s co-chairman, said Michigan Republicans should have a similar discussion about get-out-the-vote efforts for the upcoming election. Reddy said that was the “most pressing issue” right now.
“I would agree,” Runestad said.
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