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Michigan State Rep. Cindy Gamrat, R-Plainwell.

(Michigan House GOP)

LANSING, MI - Freshman state Rep. Cindy Gamrat, R-Plainwell, has been indefinitely removed from the Michigan House Republican caucus.

Gamrat, a tea party favorite, allegedly broke caucus confidentiality rules by posting a comment on Facebook during an off-campus budget workshop on Wednesday afternoon.

A source familiar with the situation said Gamrat was not aware that caucus rules were in effect during the workshop but was confronted by House Speaker Kevin Cotter, who later told her she was no longer welcome in GOP caucus meetings.

"In no way did I reveal anything confidential from the meeting, and I have never violated the integrity of our caucus. I may disagree on issues with my colleagues, but I respect the trust between us," Gamrat said in a subsequent Facebook statement on Thursday evening.

"I was elected to be accountable to the hard working taxpayers of Allegan County and the state of Michigan. I will work diligently and independently every day for their best interests."

Gamrat's exile from the GOP caucus was first reported by the West Michigan Politics blog and confirmed by MLive. Tension had been brewing between Gamrat and leadership prior to the workshop, according to a source.

Cotter spokesperson Gideon D'Assandro declined comment. "Sorry, but we've got a long-standing rule: what happens in caucus stays in caucus," he said in an email.

Gamrat, who sits on the appropriations committee, has openly questioned budget bills supported by other Republicans. Earlier Wednesday, she spoke at an anti-Proposal 1 rally on the Capitol lawn.

Gamrat is also among a handful of candidates running for Republican National Committeewoman, a post formerly held by new Michigan GOP Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel.

Removal from House caucus means Gamrat will no longer be a part of closed-door GOP strategy discussions. She's not the first lawmaker to suffer that fate this year.

State Rep. Harvey Santana, D-Detroit, has not caucused with Democrats since early February, when he accepted a committee post in the midst of a feud between party leaders.

Jonathan Oosting is a Capitol reporter for MLive Media Group. Email him, find him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter.