The Penn State College Republicans (PSU GOP) is a chapter of the College Republicans at the Pennsylvania State University[1]. The purpose of Penn State College Republicans is to assist in the election of Republican candidates to local, state, and national office, promote conservative ideals and principles at the Pennsylvania State University, engage in community service[2].

The PSU GOP is open to both undergraduate and graduate students at Penn State University Park. They are an official registered student organization with the University. Their self stated mission is to "provide a platform for conservative students to connect, discuss, and advocate for their beliefs."[3]

History

Founding

The PSU GOP was founded in 1940.[4] The organization was not officially registered with the University as Penn State did not keep records of student organizations until the 1970's.

Reestablishment

After the Watergate Scandal and resignation of President Richard Nixon, the Penn State College Republicans went defunct and ceased to operate. For three years, there were no College Republicans on campus at Penn State University Park. During his freshman year, Rick Santorum became involved with Republican politics by working on various political campaigns. This led him to reestablish the Penn State College Republicans in 1977.[5]

The club existed without official recognition from Penn State until December 12th, 1979.[2] Since this date, there has been no lapse in its recognition and existence at Penn State, maintaing a minimum of ten undergraduate, active members.[4]

Affiliation

National

When the Penn State College Republicans was established in 1940, it chartered with the College Republican National Committee (CRNC). This remained to be the case until June 16th, 2024, when the Pennsylvania Federation of College Republicans (PAFCR) left the CRNC to join the National Federation of College Republicans (NFCR).[6] The CRNC controversially stripped the voting rights of several state federations that backed the election of Judah Waxelbaum over Courtney Britt for CRNC Chairman.[7] Among those disqualified were Texas, New York, Mississippi, North Dakota, and Puerto Rico, who all voted to secede following Britt's election.[8] This drove the Penn State College Republicans to join with the rest of the PAFCR to leave the CRNC.

Membership in the National Federation of College Republicans was short lived however. After the 2024 election season had concluded, the PAFCR voted to officially leave the NFCR and join the College Republicans of America (CRA).[9] This was caused by the alleged infighting and weak leadership of the Chairwoman Rachel Howard of NFCR, with PAFCR stating that they do "not wish to waste time in political battles between various College Republican organizations... only the CRA has placed the success of the Republican Party and our candidates over this type of infighting."[9] Acting President of the CRA at the time, Gabriel Guidarini, commented on the move, stating "It was a pleasure to work with them extensively during the election cycle, and we are proud to have them join us today."[10] The Penn State College Republicans applauded this decision and moved forward with a charter under the College Republicans of America with the rest of Pennsylvania.[11]

State

In their Constitution, the Penn State College Republicans maintains "a working relationship with the Pennsylvania State Federation of College Republicans so long as it exists."[4]

Leadership

Current Executive Board[12]

  • Ryan Klein, President
  • Tristin Kilgore, Vice President
  • Maximilian Pase, Treasurer
  • David Washabaugh VI, Secretary
  • Hunter Steach, Director of Special Events
  • Mia Humphreys, Chief of Staff

List of Presidents

Name Term Class School
Ryan Klein[12] 2023-Present 2025 Liberal Arts & Schreyer
Matt Soska 2022-23 2023 Liberal Arts & Schreyer
Morgan (Watt) Clark 2021-22 2022 Agricultural Sciences
Jordan Clark 2020-21 2021 & 2022 Bellisario & Smeal
Max Myers 2019-20 2020 Liberal Arts
Reagan McCarthy 2018-19 2019 Liberal Arts
Grant Worley 2017-18 2018 Engineering
Michael Straw 2016-17 2017 Liberal Arts
Brad Simmons Spring 2016 2016 Liberal Arts
Darian (Gist) David[13] 2015-16 2016 Education
Brandon Matsnev[14] 2014-15 2015 Liberal Arts
Jordan Harris[15] 2012-14 2014
Josh Crawford[16] 2010-12 2012 Liberal Arts
David Frantz Spring 2010 2010 Liberal Arts
Alex Smith[17] 2008-09
Brandon Means[18] 2007-08
Todd Taylor[19] 2006-07
Seth Bender Fall 2006
Andy Banducci[20] 2004-06 2006
Rich Pastena Spring 2004
Brian Battaglia Fall 2003 2004
Chris Miller[21] 2002-03 2004
Mike Gallo[22] 2001-02 2003
T.J. Kokolis[23] 2000-01 2002
Melissa Kowalski[24] 1999-2000 2001
Eric Deitrick[25] Fall 1998
Jerrold Ansman[26] 1996-98 1999
Mike Owens[27] 1995-96
Steve Brame[28] 1994-95 1996
William Enscore[29] 1993-94
Tricia Giannini[30] 1992-93
Lance O'Donnell[31] 1991-92
Mary Miles[32] 1990-91 1993
John Souren[33] 1989-90 1990
Jim Hamilton[34] 1988-89
Christopher Woronchuk[35] 1987-88
Unknown 1986-87
Maria Benecki[36] 1985-86 1986
Rich Forgette[37] 1984-85
Michael O'Connell[38] Spring 1984 1986
Bernie Hughs[39] 1983-84
Donald McClure[40] 1982-83 1983
Suzanne Harbolis[41] 1981-82
Jeffery Sundheim[42] 1980-81
Jane Kapp[43] 1979-80
David Winkler[44] 1978-79
Rick Santorum[45] 1977-78 1980 Liberal Arts
Defunct from 1973-1977
Jan Levenberg[46] 1972-73
Benjamin Sinclair[47] 1952-53 1954
Vincent Yakowicz[48] Spring 1952

This list is a work in progress as more information about the history of the Penn State College Republicans is discovered. Gaps in time are due to a lack of information and does not represent the active status of the organization, unless otherwise noted.

There have been seven Presidents to serve two distinct terms. No President has yet to serve three terms or two non-consecutive terms. A recent amendment to their Constitution has prevented any President from serving more than two full terms.[4]

Activities

Elections

PSU GOP is primarily known for managing local and statewide get-out-the-vote efforts, as well as its campus activism. The chapter traditionally tables use door-to-door canvassing, phone banking, and word of mouth to identify and register Republican voters.

Their efforts during the 2024 Presidential election showcased the height of their election activities. PSU GOP planned and carried out multiple College Republican deployments across Pennsylvania. Most notably was their deployment to Pittsburgh on behalf of President Trump, Dave McCormick, and Rob Mercuri.[49] This brought together students from the Pennsylvania Federation of College Republicans, the Ohio College Republican Federation, the College Republicans of Virginia, and the District of Columbia College Republicans to turn out low propensity Republican voters. During this deployment, 16 College Republican chapters knocked on 2,500+ doors, setting a single day record during the election in Pennsylvania.[50] Congressman Glenn "GT" Thompson commended this deployment as the "largest College Republican door knocking effort" during the election cycle.[51] PSU GOP also helped to bring President Trump to Penn State's campus in the first visit from a major Presidential candidate since Barack Obama in 2008, which Congressman GT also recognized during his speech at the rally.[52][53]

Pennsylvania Collegiate Leadership Conference

Overview

In 2024, the Penn State College Republicans launched the Pennsylvania Collegiate Leadership Conference as an annual initiative to introduce collegiate leader to the conservative principles of American government and to develop them into the future leaders.[54] The Pennsylvania Collegiate Leadership Conference seeks to be an event for any individual that wants to learn more about these conservative principles.[55]

Notable Speakers[56]

Endorsements

2024

During the 2024 Presidential election, the Penn State College Republicans made multiple endorsements. The earliest of which was for Dave McCormick for US Senate in October 2023, following his endorsement by PA GOP.[57][58] The following year came the endorsement of Donald Trump on March 12, 2024, once he became the presumptive nominee with his victory in the Washington Primary election.[59] The following day, PSU GOP endorsed multiple candidates:

After his selection as President Trump's Vice President, PSU GOP endorsed JD Vance for Vice President.[69]

2020

One week before the 2020 Presidential election, the Penn State College Republicans issued a slate of endorsements.[70] PSU GOP endorsed the following candidates:

  • Donald Trump for President
  • Fred Keller for Congress (PA-12)
  • Heather Heidelbaugh for PA Attorney General
  • Tim DeFoor for PA Auditor General
  • Stacy Garrity for PA Treasurer
  • Steve Yetsko for PA State House (HD-77)

2016

The Penn State College Republicans refrained from making endorsements during the 2016 Presidential election. Most notably, they publicly announced their opposition to the election of Donald Trump, the 2016 Republican Party nominee and eventual winner of the election, as the president of the United States.[71] Along with 13 other College Republicans chapters who declined to endorse Trump or endorsed another candidate for President.[72] This marked the first time in the organization's history that they did not endorse the Republican nominee for President.

Notable Members

  • Rick Santorum, former U.S. Senator (R-PA)
  • Vincent Yakowicz, former Pennsylvania Solicitor General and former Secretary of Revenue of Pennsylvania[73]
  • Donald McClure, Chairman of McClure Consulting and Perry County GOP Chairman[74]
  • Dr. David Winkler, Naval Historian and former US Navy Commander[75]

References

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Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draft:Penn_State_College_Republicans
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