View image in fullscreen Penny Swan, a political activist and citizen journalist, at the Hillsdale county courthouse in Hillsdale, Michigan. The split spilled into the county Republican party chapters, with local party organizations devolving into factions. Photograph: Sarah Rice/The GuardianSwan was excited when Smith approached her about a new, more active formation in the local party. A court in 2022 found the America First faction could not rightfully claim to represent the county party, a victory for Swan’s faction. To her former friends in the Hillsdale Republican party, Swan is a turncoat – her defection, a betrayal.

Source: The Guardian June 08, 2024 17:41 UTC