CCR began with 1,800 members[6] on August 29, 1963 — founded by Randolph Siefkin, Harold Phillips, William Nielsen,[7] William Dillon, and Pete Wilson (who went on to serve as a US Senator from 1983 to 1991 and Governor of California from 1991 to 1999).
The 1963 mission statement of CCR read:
The specific and primary purposes for which this corporation is formed are to support the Republican party, to provide pleasure and recreation for the members, to encourage constructive thinking among young people and the development of their interest in good government, and to unite young people in the spirit of good fellowship to achieve these objectives.
CCR was formed as a break-off group of the California Young Republican College Federation, also known as the California College Federation of Young Republicans, following election disputes in 1962 and 1963. In 1962, the moderates and conservatives violently clashed, with Walter Driver of the conservatives stating six sergeant-at-arms "banged my head into a chair and my body into a wall."[8]
Harold Phillips of the moderates ultimately prevailed in the election as chair.[9]
In 1963, competing conventions of a conservative wing and a moderate wing each elected new chairmen. Trent Devenney and Randy Siefkin each claimed legitimacy,[10][11][12] with the California Young Republicans organization — at the time the parent organization of the college federation — set to recognize Devenney. At the same time, nationally, College Republican groups began to break off from the Young Republican groups, where one would service students and the other would service young adults. Siefkin helped lead this split in California, taking his moderate wing of students with him to form CCR. CCR would go on to charter with the College Republican National Committee (CRNC) (which it later separated from in 2019) after it broke off from the Young Republican National Federation. The California Young Republican College Federation continued to exist as part of the California Young Republicans and the Young Republican National Federation until 1969, when they merged with CCR in a unity election.[13] The unification was supported and partially brokered by then-Governor Ronald Reagan.
Reagan enjoyed and worked closely with the youth — among them CCR members — during his campaigns and tenure. In 1988, he described CCR as "A group I take a kind of personal interest in..."[14]
CCR also earned the admiration and attention of another President, Gerald Ford. In 1967, then-House Minority Leader Ford attended the annual CCR convention in Santa Barbara as the keynote speaker.[15] He concluded with the following:
We must build the Republican Party ... We can do that if college Republicans here and throughout the Nation will rise to the responsibility that is theirs--the challenge to go out into the wilderness of young Democrats and come back with some scalps. The future of the Republican Party, ladies and gentlemen, is in your hands.[15]
1963 was not the only time CCR faced competing conventions and claims of legitimacy. In 1987, Fred Whitaker (who went on to serve as Chairman of the Republican Party of Orange County) and Jim Michalski ran for chairman. Whitaker, unable to mount enough delegates to win the election, led a walkout at the 1987 election, hoping to break quorum. However, not enough delegates left with Whitaker, and the election proceeded with a vote for Michalski. Whitaker, meanwhile, convened his own convention with the delegates that followed him, where they elected him as chairman.[22] This triggered a crisis over the rightful Chairman of CCR.
Whitaker was backed by CRNC Chairman Stockton Reeves, and Michalski was backed by the California Republican Party.[22] The state party stepped in with, according to the San Francisco Examiner, "a private meeting trying to resolve a dispute between two college Republican groups."[23] This led to party leadership, including CAGOP Chairman Bob Naylor, missing a vote of the party convention calling for the prosecution of the San Francisco AIDS foundation.[23] The state party eventually caved to the CRNC and agreed to recognize both groups as equal and legitimate. They finally merged again in 1988, following a unity convention. In an interview with the Orange County Register, Whitaker said: "'I was running for chairman of the state College Republicans and we split into two organizations,' ... A 'unity convention' followed and both groups reunited a year later..."[24] Whitaker was defeated by Michalski in the unity convention rematch election.
Modern history
Prior to the election of businessman Donald Trump in 2016, the California College Republicans had not had a contested election in nearly a decade.[25][26] Trump's election sparked a resurgence of youth activism in California, which led to Ariana Rowlands' involvement in the College Republicans. In 2017, Rowlands built a socially conservative and pro-Trump coalition[27][28] to contest the CCR heir apparent, Vice-chair Leesa Danzek, for the position of chairman. Danzek and her faction were considered the moderate-wing of CCR.
The 2017 convention was derailed before voting began, with the OC Register summarizing the events:
Hours-long debates on parliamentary procedures and questions about who could and couldn’t vote ended with student organizers booting more than 150 delegates from a Double Tree Hotel ballroom in San Jose, where the election was being held, into a hallway. The meeting dissolved into heated debates over procedures and by the time some delegates were allowed to return, it was too late. Hotel staff said it was time to go.[29]
The CCR Convention was reconvened in October 2017 at the California Republican Party Fall Convention. By that point, Leesa Danzek had assumed the chairmanship following Ivy Allen's resignation in August. At the meeting, the LA Times reported that "[M]embers accused Danzek of using her influence over the state organization to withhold information about the election and improperly disqualify some students from voting"[26]
Despite the tensions, Rowlands emerged the victor by a vote of 88–64.[26]
Rowlands remained popular enough to win reelection in 2018, where she staged the largest attended CCR convention in modern history.[20][30] She was listed as one of Washington Examiner's "30 Under 30," and brought renewed media attention to CCR from "FOX News, ABC 7 and The Daily Ledger ... Breitbart News ... TIME..."[30]
However, she also faced scandal in her second term. Rowlands and her successor, Kimo Gandall, were accused of allegedly removing CCR members and chapters they disliked via the Judicial Board case Gandall et al. v Morcott et al, which found two members guilty of violating the CCR constitution and stripped their voting rights. According to the Judicial case in question, no further action was taken, and the members and chapters in question remained part of CCR. The case order read:
[O]rder (1) does not imply formal expulsion from the California College Republicans ... order (3) does not imply the permanent forced dechartering of the defendants’ respective chapters ... [T]o regain the ability to send delegates to the annual convention ... the members may remove the defendants from the presidency of their respective chapters, or (2) the members may amend their governing documents to legally appropriate the power to petition CCR away from the president and to some other member of their chapter as they see fit.[31]
However, dissatisfaction with Rowlands led to another contested election in 2019. Kimo Gandall, backed by Rowlands, and Matt Ronnau each built slates of candidates and announced their intention to run for the CCR Executive Board. Prior to the 2019 election, Ronnau and his slate dropped out of the race and led a push for 10 clubs to decharter, or disassociate, from CCR instead of attending and running in the election.[32][33][34] In the press release announcing the mass decharter, the clubs charged that CCR was "Failing to address ... repeated concerns,"[34] yet the clubs in question did not appear at the election or introduce legislation to amend CCR's constitution.[35] Gandall was elected chairman.
Most of the 10 clubs that left went on to form a new organization, the California Federation of College Republicans (CFCR). CFCR was regarded as "an establishment GOP group that broke away from the more pro-Trump California College Republicans in 2019."[citation needed] CCR, meanwhile, described themselves as "the 'Trump wing of the GOP'"[36] — and continuing Rowlands' socially conservative legacy.
In 2022, CCR Chairman Dylan Martin began collaboration with CFCR Chairman David Chan to merge the organizations once again, and the two reached an agreement to hold a unity election in Las Vegas on June 24, 2023. Chan was elected chairman of the merged organization, and he proceeded to appoint Dylan Martin as Executive Director. The name of the merged organization was voted on by convention delegates, with "California College Republicans" winning with 59% of the vote.[37] Corrin Rankin, Vice Chairwoman of the California Republican Party, attended the unity election and congratulated Chan and Martin on unity, saying:
The College Republicans have voted to unify and their official name is California College Republicans. Ensuring Republicans have a presence on college campuses is necessary to grow our party amongst young voters. I was honored to witness the unity today at their convention in Las Vegas. Congratulations to David Chan on being unanimously elected Chairman.[38]
Chan is notable for serving concurrently as Chairman of the Alameda County Republican Party.
Independence from CRNC
The California College Republicans are an independent organization, unaffiliated with the College Republican National Committee (CRNC), as of 2019.[39] According to a press release from CCR, the California Federation of College Republicans (CFCR), "an establishment"[citation needed] splinter group from the "pro-Trump"[citation needed] CCR, petitioned the CRNC to revoke CCR's charter. The statement reads:
On Saturday, July 13th, despite Gandall agreeing to many of the terms for mediation, the CRNC ruled that CCR was to be “dechartered." ... Gandall strongly objected ... but his appeals were rejected without reason. “Despite my objections in Committee under my right to a point of order, the arbitrator illegally awarded CFCR the charter. But this isn’t allowed in the Bylaws,” said Kimo Gandall, Chairman of the California College Republicans. “CRNC has a secret constitution that is not public,” continued Gandall, “and once I leaked it, I found that there were deep discrepancies. §2(5)(b)[39]
CCR is not the only organization that is independent from the CRNC. In 2021, the CRNC controversially stripped the voting rights of several state federations that backed the election of Judah Waxelbaum over Courtney Britt for CRNC Chairman.[40][41] Among those disqualified were Texas, New York, Mississippi, North Dakota, and Puerto Rico, who all voted to secede following Britt's election.[42] The action's of the CRNC earned condemnation and words of support for the allegedly disenfranchised states from the New York, Connecticut, Arizona, and Arkansas Republican parties, as well as from Elise Stefanik, George P. Bush, John Boozman, and more.[43]
Activities
CCR is primarily known for managing statewide get-out-the-vote efforts among its chapters, as well as its campus activism. At other times, CCR endorses candidates for office, pushes issue advocacy and lobbying efforts, hosts conservative guest speakers, and organizes social events and other recruitment activities.
The leadership team of CCR makes up the state executive board, which includes a state chairperson and other officers as well as any subcommittees.[47] The Board serves as the primary link between local university chapters and the California Republican Party. The state chairman, Committeeman, and Communications Director serve as representatives for CCR when dealing with the Republican Party and local media. The Chairman and Treasurer serve as representatives with state filings and governmental entities.[47]
Chapters that make up the state organization are divided into regions across California, of which there are eight. Each region is managed by a Regional Chair that is part of the executive board. The regions as of 2021 are:[47]
CCR assists local chapters in each region with securing proper credentials, recruitment efforts, and canvassing and other get-out-the-vote (GOTV) efforts. They also provide chapters with tabling materials, legal resources, and other help as needed. CCR also organizes activities and deployments for the California Republican Party and statewide campaigns. The group is registered as a non-profit political action committee (PAC).[5]
Campus chapters
The college and university-based chapters of CCR operate in a dual capacity as student clubs associated with their campus, as well as members of the state federation. Like CCR, the campus chapters are also affiliated with the local Republican Party. The chapter chairperson and leadership team are responsible for maintaining the campus club's registration, charter with CCR, and constitution. They also represent the club when dealing with CCR, the university administration, other student groups, and in the surrounding community.[48] A chapter leadership team might include many members; commonly found are a president and vice president (chairman and vice chairman), a treasurer, a secretary, and a social media director.
Clubs associate with, or charter, with CCR by sending the state leadership their constitution, executive board members, a membership list, and proof of school recognition. Charters are permanent and may only be dissolved by a petition to and vote of the CCR Board of Directors, an annual meeting of all CCR chapter presidents.[47]
Elections and conventions
Annual convention and elections
State leadership is elected at a yearly convention — one of two major meetings of the California College Republicans each year (the other is a Board of Directors meeting and training session). The convention, simply known as "Convention," is the annual meeting for delegates from all CCR chapters to run for office, pass legislation, amend the Constitution (bylaws), hear from party leadership, and network.[47] The convention has generally taken place between February and May each year, in congruence with the Spring Convention of the California Republican Party. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 convention of the California College Republicans was delayed until July 11, 2021. This reorganized the timing of the convention to now take place during the summer.
Board of directors meeting
State leadership convenes one or more Board of Directors (referred to as Senate from 2018 to 2021) meetings each year.[47] The meetings are of chapter presidents and any other members that wish to attend. Topics covered by the meeting include passing budgets, approving legislation, trying impeachments of officers, and hearing club charter disputes.[47] The meetings also involve training sessions on issues like fundraising, networking, social media development, and more. The meeting is typically held at the same time as the California Republican Party Fall convention, usually in September or October.
State leadership
As of the 2023 State Special Unity Convention, the CCR Executive Board consists of:[49]
Office
Name
Term
Chairman
David Chan
2023-
Vice-Chairman
Mark Basta
2023-
National Committeeman
William B. Thompson VI
2023-
Executive Director
Dylan Martin
2022-
Communications Director
Mackenzie Hoie
2023-
Internal Affairs Director
Anthony Mansfield
2021-
Treasurer
Keegan Bess
2023-
Secretary
Emma Del Real
2021-
Northern Representative
Vacant
Bay Area Representative
Ahmed AlBadrani
2023-
North Coast Representative
Amanda Mohr
2022-
Central Coast Representative
Sean Senn
2022-
Central Valley Representative
Christopher Wilson
2023-
Los Angeles Representative
Brice Lang
2023-
Southern Representative
John Gaita
2023-
San Diego Representative
Gigi Mudwilder
2023-
Chairmen of the California College Republicans
The Chairman of CCR is tasked with serving as a primary representative of CCR, setting the agenda, appointing vacancies of the executive board, fundraising, maintaining legal filings, serving as a California Republican Party delegate, and ensuring the annual convention and Board of Directors meeting occur — as well as any other duties that may arise.
62nd Chairman of the California College Republicans
4. Nick Ortiz was the first publicly gay chairman of CCR.
5. David Chan was the first chairman to serve concurrently as chairman of a county Republican party. Chan served as chair of Alameda County, where he was the youngest-known county chairman in California Republican Party history.
Committeemen of the California College Republicans
The Committeeman of the California College Republicans is a role that has changed over time. From 1967 to 1969, the role served as a representative to the College Republican National Committee (CRNC). The role was then merged with the position of chairman. In 2021, the role of Committeeman was reestablished to serve as a representative of CCR with newly CRNC-independent state federations, the College Republicans United, and the California Republican Party.
The current Committeeman is William B. Thompson VI elected in June 2023.
National Committeemen of the California College Republicans
Committeeman Martin helped successfully broker a partnership with the College Republicans United and CCR, which gave the organization its first national College Republican allies following CCR's independence from the CRNC in 2019.
Chairman Nick Ortiz Presents Committeeman Martin with MVP Award
^Paul Gottfried, Conservatism in America: Making Sense of the American Right, p. 9, "Postwar conservatives set about creating their own synthesis of free-market capitalism, Christian morality, and the global struggle against Communism." (2009); Gottfried, Theologies and moral concern (1995) p. 12.
