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(Partial) Weekend convention run-down
By punch bowl | April 18, 2008
Looking into my crystal ball (made in China), I see eight (8) conventions this weekend: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Kentucky, Montana, Oklahoma, Rhode Island and South Dakota.
CRNC officers will be attending five (5) of the eight (8) conventions. Specifically, the CRNC will be represented in Arizona (Blake Harris), California (Charlie Smith), Kentucky (Will Croswell), Montana (I assume Zach Howell, but I am not for sure) and Rhode Island (Esther Clark).
In Arizona, the convention will be in Tucson on the campus of the University of Arizona. The keynote speaker for the convention is Arizona Senate President Tim Bee (Candidate for US Congress in AZ-8).
Other speakers include AZ GOP Chairman Randy Pullen, AZ GOP National Committeeman Bruce Ash, state senator Jim Waring, state rep., Iraq War Veteran Jonathon Paton and CRNC Co-Chair Blake Harris. U.S. Senator Kyl will be calling into the convention around 11:15 a.m.
The Arizona CRs will also be handing out awards to the best chapter chair, best chapter, and friend of the CRs.
All of Arizona’s races will all be uncontested. The following is the list of people who are running and the positions they are running for:
Chairman-Matt Wharton (Arizona State University-West Campus)
Vice Chairman of Chapter Relations-Ben Stewart (Arizona State University-Tempe Campus)
Vice Chairman of Finance-Blake Rebling (University of Arizona)
Vice Chairman of Communication-Ry Ellison (University of Arizona)
Secretary-Jordan Demos (Grand Canyon University)
Treasurer-Dan Parsons (Arizona State University-Tempe Campus)
Several sources in Arizona confirm that these individuals are running unopposed largely because of a lack on interest in the federation.
Particularly noteworthy is that two of the members of the above ticket put together by Mr. Wharton will be resigning immediately after taking office in order to allow the new board to appoint Cody Newport (Northern Arizona University) to the position of vice chair of finance and Jessica Bender (Arizona State University-Tempe campus) to the position of Secretary.
The reason: The credentials committee ruled that Mr. Newport and Ms. Bender were not “members in good standing” within their school’s chapter and thus ineligible to run for an executive board position. To counter the ruling of the credential committee, Mr. Wharton attempted to overturn the committee’s decision, but was voted down 4-6.
I have been told by several Arizona CRs, that they are “pretty disappointed” in the way the end of the year turned out for the organization and are “somewhat worried about the future of the federation.”
In fact, one concerned AZ CR reported that, out-going chairman TJ Shope contemplated running for a 2nd term…
In Arkansas, the AFCR convention will be held this weekend at the Arkansas Republican Party headquarters. Featured speakers include, state party chair Dennis Milligan, state party executive director Karen Ray, three (3) candidates for state house and senate, Dr. Adam Lowther (professor-Arkansas Tech University in political science)
At convention the Arkansas College Republican leadership will unveil a grassroots strategy for the fall, which they call the “Plan to Move Arkansas Forward.”
It is expected the current chairman Bryant Davis and the rest of his ticket will be running unopposed.
In California, Cheyenne Steel will be replacing Ryan Clumpner as Chair this Sunday and Leigh Wolf of San Francisco State University (i.e., chapter the year) is running unopposed for Co-Chair. I have received not other reports coming out of California.
In Kentucky, nothing yet to report…
In Montana, nothing yet to report…
In Oklahoma, the position of chairman is contested, but reports indicate that current chairman Daniel Swanson is expected to cruise to victory. His ticket includes the chairs of the two biggest chapters, The University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, who in voting for the ticket, will in turn vote for Swanson. The rest of the ticket includes:
Connor Ferguson (OSU)- Vice Chair
Tessa Breder (OU)- Finance Director
Geoff Rains (SNU)- Secretary
Ashley Reynolds (OSU)- Communications Director
Whitney Lee (SWOSU)- Executive Director
Mr. Swanson’s opponent, current First Vice Chair Chelsey Barnett, is said to have not run a very effective campaign, as she has been unable to flip Swanson supporters and schools. A chapter chair at a “large Oklahoma school” further reports that:
She [Barnett] does not have a ticket, and her efforts to win over chapters already committed to Swanson have been unsuccessful. Barnett’s motivation is a personal dislike of Swanson that began when he defeated her in a landslide to win election last spring. The election was held following the resignation of Swanson supporter and financier, Michael Patlan. Swanson is seen as the continuation of the Nat Harding/Ben Lepak/Michael Patlan dynasty.
On Friday night everyone is going to a baseball game at the Bricktown Ballpark. Bricktown is the new area of downtown Oklahoma City with all the good restaurants and night life.
The convention on Saturday will be in the senate chamber of the state capitol. Speakers include Oklahoma Congressman/NRCC Chairman Tom Cole and the Oklahoma state senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee.
Chairman Daniel Swanson’s goal is for OFCR to help the GOP win the State Senate for the first time ever.
A good turnout is expected at Oklahoma’s convention.
In Rhode Island, convention will be held this Saturday from 10 AM – 4 PM at the University of Rhode Island Memorial Union Ballroom where Mayors Laffey, Avedisian, national treasurer Esther Clark and group representatives will speak to College Republicans from across the state.
The Rhode Island CRs are hosting a fundraiser tonight, after which I will be receiving more information. So tune in later tonight for more on the Rhode Island CRs and their convention.
In South Dakota, nothing yet to report…
Topics: CR gossip, CR federation elections, CR events, CR elections |
April 18th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Nice writing style. I will come back to read more posts from you.
Susan Kishner
April 19th, 2008 at 6:38 am
Your “large Oklahoma school” chair just wrecked my impression of Mr. Swanson.
April 19th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
The Rhode Island fundraiser thing was really cool.
April 19th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Daniel Swanson won 78 to 40 today.