When John James selected Representative Jay DeBoyer as his running mate for governor, it left the 63rd district without a GOP candidate. The process has been a messy one that required GOP officials in two different counties to chose a replacement. A St. Clair County court case clouded the process. Ultimately, Former State Representative Pamela Hornberger won the nomination.

Pamela Hornberger, the new nominee, served in the Michigan legislature from 2017-2023. During the 2022-23 legislative session, Republican caucus members elected her Speaker Pro Tempore. She has previously served as Chair of the Michigan House of Representatives Education Committee. She received six of ten votes from Macomb and St. Clair County GOP executive board members.

Her opponents for the nomination were Michael Grover and Brian Pannebecker. Michael Grover previously served as Chair of the St. Clair County GOP. Brian Pannebecker, a favorite of President Donald Trump, is the founder of Auto Workers for Trump. Michael Grover received six votes, and Pannebecker struck out completely.

The process to select Jay DeBoyer’s replacement was entangled in a lawsuit. The Michigan Republican Party was originally going to allow all Macomb and St.Clair County executive committee members to vote on the replacement. The Michigan GOP filed a lawsuit seeking clarity on who is permitted to vote in the replacement’s selection. St. Clair County Circuit Court Judge Cynthia Lane ruled that only the executive committee members who physically resided within the 63rd House District boundaries were eligible to vote on the replacement candidate.

Pamela Hornberger will run against Jamie Sonneberger in the November General Election. Michigan political organizations have deemed this a “Safe Republican” seat in the Michigan legislature.