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College Republicans

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College Republicans is an umbrella term that describes college and university students who support the Republican Party of the United States. The College Republican National Committee (CRNC) is the oldest campus-based organization for Republican students and was founded in 1892. It currently represents 250,000 students on over 2,000 campuses.[1] The Republican Party does not officially affiliate with any college groups, although Republican Party members often benefit from college students' campaign efforts on their behalf.[2] Campus chapters may function independently, may be part of a statewide organization, or may be affiliated with a national alliance such as CRNC. The various campus-based Republican clubs function as recruitment organizations for the Republican Party and have produced many prominent Republican and conservative activists.[3][4][5]

Notable organizations

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Notable national college Republican organizations include:

Governance of national organizations

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College Republican National Committee (CRNC)

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The College Republican National Committee (CRNC), has historically been the main national College Republicans organization. Founded in 1892, it remains the largest and most active College Republicans organization with over 250,000 members on 2,000 campuses across the United States.[6] The CRNC National Chairwoman and the national leadership team, including an executive director, political director, finance director, comptroller, national field director, treasurer, national secretary, and 4 regional vice-chairs, are elected at the bi-annual College Republican Convention. The current CRNC National Chairwoman is Courtney Britt.

In recent years, the CRNC has lost many of its state affiliates and chapters.[citation needed]

Following RNC Chairman Michael Whatley's dissolution of the RNC "Youth Advisory Board," the CRNC lost its 132-year long endorsement by the RNC.[citation needed]

College Republicans United (CRU)

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The College Republicans United (CRU) was established in 2018 to oppose what was seen as a CRNC that was hostile to President Donald Trump. It consists of various college chapters in Arizona and Iowa.[7] The leadership structure and bylaws of the organization are not made public. The CRU have been criticized for chapters which allegedly posted "anti-Semitic" and "racist" postings online,[8] causing rifts between the CRU and other CR organizations and donors, and has been described as "far-right".[9] The CRU drew further outrage after inviting Nick Fuentes, a noted "white nationalist," to their National Convention event.[10][failed verification] The group previously invited another white nationalist, Jared Taylor, to speak at a campus event.[11] The CRU is currently the smallest federation by state and chapter count, containing 5 collegiate chapters.[12]

National Federation of College Republicans (NFCR)

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The National Federation of College Republicans was created in 2022 in response to controversies arising in the CRNC.[13] The NFCR claims to encompass 23 state federations (including but not limited to Michigan, Georgia, and Maryland).[14][15] The NFCR Leadership positions consist of a Chairperson, a National Vice Chairperson, an executive director, a treasurer, a secretary, and a Parliamentarian.[16] Rachel Howard is the current National Chairwoman of the NFCR.[citation needed]

College Republicans of America (CRA)

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The College Republicans of America (CRA) was established in 2023 and encompasses fifteen federations (Arizona, California, Kansas, Idaho, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Missouri, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin); a plurality of clubs in Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Rhode Island, and West Virginia; and a few clubs in several additional states.[17][18][19] The CRA has 150 active, affiliated College Republicans chapters.[20]

According to the CRA website, its members broke away from the CRNC due to it falling "into disrepair."[21] The CRA President and the national committee consist of an appointed president, appointed vice-presidents, appointed directors, and annually elected regional representatives.[22] The CRA also has a Board of Governors which consist of one National Committeeman per state, elected or appointed by that state (so long as they are "in good standing") via however the state sees fit.[22] The acting CRA President is Gabriel Guidarini.[23]

The CRA endorsed Donald Trump for president during the 2024 United States presidential election and campaigned for him during the 2024 Iowa Republican presidential caucuses.[24] Current CRA President, Gabriel Guidarini, delivered the pledge of allegiance at the 2024 Republican National Convention.[25]

The group has ties to Turning Point Action (TPA), with the COO of TPA serving on the CRA's advisory board.[26]

Governance of state organizations

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State federations

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There are upwards of 40 College Republican state federations. Each federation administers the College Republican activities at the state level. The state federation leadership team, which includes a state chairperson and other officers, serve as the primary link between local university chapters and the national federation. The state chairman serves as the representative for College Republicans when dealing with the state Republican Party, local media, and governmental entities. State federations are responsible for organizing and assisting local chapters with securing proper credentials, recruitment efforts, and campus voter canvasses.[27] It is a state federation's responsibility to organize and implement activities for statewide campaigns.[27] Like the national organization, state federations operate as non-profit associations that are not legally affiliated with the Republican Party.[27]

Campus chapters

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The college and university-based chapters of College Republicans operate in a dual capacity as student clubs associated with a particular campus and as members of their state federation.[27] Like the state federations and national committees, the campus chapters are affiliated with their local Republican Party, but are not official arms of that organization.[27] The chapter chairperson and leadership team are responsible for maintaining the campus club's credentials and constitution, and representing the College Republicans when dealing with university administration, other student groups, and in the surrounding community.[27] The campus chapter leadership team might include many members, with administrative responsibilities delegated to dormitory and Greek chapter chairpersons.[citation needed]

Activities

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Recruiting new members at Ohio State University.

During election season, campus chapters are responsible for organizing and implementing the campus canvas, running mock elections, managing the local get-out-the-vote efforts. At other times, the campus chapters will organize issue advocacy and lobbying efforts, welcome conservative guest speakers to campus, and organize social events and other recruitment activities.

Generally, the hired field representative or chapter chair begins the school year with membership tables on campus for recruitment. Members use door-to-door canvassing and word of mouth to identify and register as many Republican voters among the student body as possible.[3] These individuals are encouraged to vote through an absentee ballot and assist the candidates with election day Get Out The Vote efforts. Chapters occasionally run student mock elections and other special events as a means to gain positive earned media attention for a candidate.[3]

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ ""About," College Republican National Committee".
  2. ^ Amy Binder and Kate Wood. 2013. Becoming Right: How Campuses Shape Young Conservatives. Princeton University Press.
  3. ^ a b c Stewart, Scott (June 24, 2002). "The College Republicans – A Brief History" (PDF). College Republican National Committee. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 2, 2005. Retrieved September 4, 2008.
  4. ^ Shepherd, Lauren Lassabe. 2023. Resistance from the Right: Conservatives and the Campus Wars in Modern America. University of North Carolina Press.
  5. ^ Amy Binder and Kate Wood. 2013. Becoming Right: How Campuses Shape Young Conservatives. Princeton University Press.
  6. ^ "About," College Republican National Committee, https://www.crnc.org/about
  7. ^ "Republicans United". Republicans United. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  8. ^ "Conservative group at ASU apologizes for racist, anti-Semitic postings online". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  9. ^ "County GOP parties say they never agreed to support college event featuring a white nationalist". AZ Mirror. July 10, 2023.
  10. ^ College Republicans United (July 7, 2023). "Exciting News! We're thrilled to announce that Nick Fuentes will be joining us at the College Republicans United State/National Convention in Prescott Arizona July 30th!". Twitter. Retrieved August 20, 2023. [better source needed]
  11. ^ MacDonald-Evoy, Jerod (October 9, 2023). "ASU paid $11k in security costs for a white nationalist who spoke on campus in 2022". AZ Mirror.
  12. ^ "Join College Republicans United". Republicans United. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  13. ^ "About the NFCR," https://www.nationalfcr.com/about
  14. ^ "State Charters". NFCR. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  15. ^ "State Charters". NFCR. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  16. ^ "Leadership". NFCR. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  17. ^ "Chapters". www.uscollegegop.com. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  18. ^ College Republicans of America (September 1, 2023). "The Arizona College Republicans have voted to charter with College Republicans of America". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  19. ^ College Republicans of America (August 24, 2023). "College Republicans of America is pleased to announce that the Tennessee College Republicans and their chapters have officially left the CNRC and joined CRA's ranks". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  20. ^ "Chapters". www.uscollegegop.com. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  21. ^ "About Us: The Mission and History of CRA".
  22. ^ a b "Bylaws". www.uscollegegop.com. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  23. ^ "Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  24. ^ "CRA Honors Trump Endorsement, Floods Iowa With Volunteers and Assists Trump Victory". College Republicans of America. January 17, 2023.
  25. ^ "Best scenes from Day 4 of the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee". USA Today. July 18, 2024. Gabe Guidarini, College Republicans of America recites the Pledge of Allegiance during the final day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum
  26. ^ "CRA President Will Donahue meets with Tyler Bowyer and TP Action in Arizona". College Republicans of America. November 9, 2023.
  27. ^ a b c d e f Stewart, Scott (Fall 2002). "College Republicans Chapter Manual" (PDF). College Republican National Committee. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 13, 2004. Retrieved September 27, 2008.
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