The Washtenaw County Republican Party cordially invites you to our most important fundraising event of the year: our annual Lincoln Day Dinner.

Join us for delicious food, great fellowship, a silent auction, a presentation from our Keynote Speaker, Mackinac Center Vice President Jarrett Skorup, a roundtable discussion with Mr. Skorup and our Republican National Committee Members, Dr. Rob Steele and Hima Kolanagireddy, and finally, a presidential debate watch party!

Tickets for an exclusive VIP cocktail reception with our speakers, including photo opportunity and preferred seating at the dinner, are also available.

This event is our paramount fundraiser to support the Washtenaw County Republican Party, to empower and develop Republican candidates and grassroots leaders to win back our county and defend and restore the conservative values we share. Show your support by attending, sponsoring a table, and donating and bidding on silent auction goods.

Enjoy a wonderful meal,  exciting Silent Online Auction, and we we will finish the night with the Presidential Watch Party!  Trump vs. Biden will be shown in the Dining room at starting at 9pm.  

Our Keynote Speaker: Jarrett Skorup

Jarrett Skorup is the vice president for marketing and communications at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. He is also a researcher and author at the Mackinac Center, where he has published twelve major studies, and its affiliated publication, Michigan Capitol Confidential. He has published nearly one thousand articles for Mackinac Center publications.

Mr. Skorup's address, "A Highway's History of the Michigan Economy," will be a fascinating dive into the economic history of Michigan, told through the story of businesses along one Michigan highway, from the failures of Michigan's early history, the lessons learned, the prosperous era of economic freedom and government neutrality, and the return to economic favoritism that is crippling Michigan's economy once again.

Skorup has held various roles within the communications department, including senior director of marketing and communications and director of the Frank Beckmann Center for Journalism at the Center, and has played a leadership role in marketing efforts, media strategy, and overseeing policy campaigns and objectives. He has worked at the Center since 2009.

Skorup is a graduate of Grove City College with degrees in history and political science. He also studied economics and religion. While there, he was captain of the college's club Ultimate Frisbee and wrestling teams.

His work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today, Fox News, National Public Radio, MLive, Detroit Free Press, Detroit News, and many other newspapers across the country.

A native of Sandwich, Illinois, Skorup is an avid Chicago sports fan. He also officiates high school wrestling and enjoys fishing and woodworking. In his free time, Skorup volunteers with his church, serves on committees with the local Chamber of Commerce, and coaches his kids in every sport you can think of.

He lives in Midland, MI with his wife and four children.

Special Guest Speaker: Rob Steele

Rob Steele has served as Michigan's Republican National Committeeman since 2016, and was recently reelected to a third term. He was our Republican nominee for Congress in 2010 and for the University of Michigan Board of Regents in 2014.

Steele earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan in 1978 and his M.D. from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1981. After studying internal medicine and cardiology, he then joined the clinical faculty at the University of Michigan Medical School in 1987, where he worked until 2008. He has since worked as an interventional cardiologist at Michigan Heart, part of the St. Joseph Mercy Health System.

Special Guest Speaker: Hima Kolanagireddy

Hima Kolanagireddy is the Chair of the 6th Congressional District Republican Committee and recently-elected Republican National Committeewoman. Hima testified before the Michigan House Oversight Committee alongside Rudolph Giuliani on the attacks on Republican poll challengers she personally witnessed at the TCF Center in the November 2020 election. 

Kolanagireddy founded a technology staffing company in 2011 that has been listed on the "50 Fastest Women-Owned Companies in America" in 2020, 2023, and 2024. She serves on the board of ITServe Alliance, the largest group of IT companies in the United States.

She is a born-again Christian from a Hindu family and has three children. Her oldest son is in medical school and is a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, her younger son is a pre-med at the University of Michigan, and her yuoungest child is a senior in high school.

Special Event: Presidential Debate

After rescheduling due to proximity with the Turning Point USA conference earlier in the month, our Lincoln Day is the night of the historic debate between President Donald J. Trump and the current occupier of the White House, Senile Incompetent Crooked Joe Biden. After our dinner presentation, guests are welcome to stay and enjoy watching the presidential debate with fellow Washtenaw County Republicans, scheduled to air starting at 9:00pm.

Posted by Washtenaw County Republican Party on May 17, 2024