Michigan GOP On The Brink Of Credit Line Default

Jessica Barefield, a member of the budget committee for Michigan’s Republican Party, has resigned while disclosing that the party is contemplating a plan of action to handle an impending failure to repay its credit line.

In her resignation letter, she underscored the significant financial difficulties confronting a party in a state that is crucial in presidential elections, just a year before the 2024 vote.

Since taking office in February and criticizing the party’s “establishment,” which includes prior supporters, state party Chairwoman Kristina Karamo has been facing trouble raising funds.

Barefield is a part of the Michigan Republican Party’s state committee comprised of approximately 100 members. In addition, she formerly served among the 13 Republicans on the notable budget committee that managed the finances.

“Despite my efforts, it has become evident that the issues within leadership and the committee are deeply rooted and resistant to change. It has reached a point where I feel it is no longer safe for me to be associated with this committee as it allows leadership to engage in practices that run counter to my principles and values,” she wrote in the resignation letter.

In the letter, Barefield also stated that the budget committee held an “emergency meeting” on Friday in which they were asked to provide input on how to deal with the imminent default on the line of credit. This suggests that the organization is finding it difficult to fulfill its responsibilities of paying back previous debts.

The current amount of debt held by the Michigan Republican Party is not known, but Karamo previously informed a gathering that the past leadership team had left behind $460,000 of unpaid obligations.