Penn State College Republicans

Founding The PSU GOP was founded in 1940. The organization was not officially registered with the University as Penn State did not keep records of student organizations until the 1970s. 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. The club existed without official recognition from Penn State until December 12th, 1979. The CRNC controversially stripped the voting rights of several state federations that backed the election of Judah Waxelbaum over Courtney Britt for CRNC Chairman. Among those disqualified were Texas, New York, Mississippi, North Dakota, and Puerto Rico, who all voted to secede following Britt's election. 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). 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." 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. 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." == Leadership ==

Executive Board The Executive Board of the Penn State College Republicans is elected yearly at the end of the Spring Semester. • Tristin Kilgore, President • Hunter Steach, Vice President • Emma Smorgonsky, Treasurer • Neve McAllister, Secretary • Mia Humphreys, Director of Special Events • Maddie MacKenzie, Chief of Staff Cabinet In addition to the Executive Board, the PSU GOP maintains a number of positions appointed by the President and confirmed by the Executive Board to aid with the management of the organizations. These Cabinet Directors include, but are not limited to, Political Director, Communications Director, Fundraising Director, and Press Secretary. Current Cabinet Source: • David Washabaugh VI, Civic Engagement Alliance Liaison • Jed Jallorina, Political Director • Ashley Felsberg, Communications Director • Collin Jones, Press Secretary • Ryan Reichel, Fundraising Director • Ben Fry, Engagement Director • Alex Kreitz, Program Manager • Katie Felmlee, Membership Director • Camryn Kirkner, Donor Relations Director • Katelyn Kendall, Brand Director List of Presidents 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. == 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. 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. Congressman Glenn "GT" Thompson commended this deployment as the "largest College Republican door knocking effort" during the election cycle. 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. Pennsylvania Collegiate Leadership Conference Overview In 2024, the Penn State College Republicans launched the Pennsylvania Collegiate Leadership Conference (PCLC) as an annual initiative to introduce collegiate leader to the conservative principles of American government and to develop them into the future leaders. The Pennsylvania Collegiate Leadership Conference seeks to be an event for any individual that wants to learn more about these conservative principles. In 2026, PSU GOP, during the third annual PCLC, expanded the conference to become a two day event for first time ever. Notable Speakers Source: • Glenn Thompson, Congressman (PA-15) • Rob Bresnahan, Congressman (PA-08) • Dan Meuser, Congressman (PA-09) • Stacy Garrity, Pennsylvania Treasurer • Timothy DeFoor, Pennsylvania Auditor General • Dave Sunday, Pennsylvania Attorney General • Fred Keller, Former Congressman (PA-12) • Rick Santorum, former U.S. Senator (R-PA) • Greg Rothman, PA State Senator and Chairman of PA GOP • Cris Dush, PA State Senator • Joe Picozzi, PA State Senator • Jesse Topper, PA House Republican Leader • Jake Corman, Former PA Senate President Pro-Tempore • Mark Krikorian, Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies == Endorsements ==

2025 For the 2025 Pennsylvania Elections, the Penn State College Republicans endorsed the slate of Republican judicial nominees. This included: • Maria Battista for Judge of the Superior Court • Matt Wolford for Judge of the Commonwealth Court They, also, encouraged Pennsylvanians to vote No on retention for Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht. 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. 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. The following day, PSU GOP endorsed multiple candidates: • Glenn Thompson for Congress (PA-15) • Tim DeFoor for PA Auditor General • Dave Sunday for PA Attorney General • Stacy Garrity for PA Treasurer • Cris Dush for PA State Senate (SD-25) • Wayne Langerholc for PA State Senate (SD-35) • Marie Librizzi for PA State House (HD-77) • Therese Hollen for PA State House (HD-82) • Kerry Benninghoff for PA State House (HD-171) After his selection as President Trump's Vice President, PSU GOP endorsed JD Vance for Vice President. 2020 One week before the 2020 Presidential election, the Penn State College Republicans issued a slate of endorsements. 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. Along with 13 other College Republicans chapters who declined to endorse Trump or endorsed another candidate for President. 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) and former Presidential Candidate • Vincent Yakowicz, former Pennsylvania Solicitor General and former Secretary of Revenue of Pennsylvania • Donald McClure, Chairman of McClure Consulting and Perry County GOP Chairman • Dr. David Winkler, Naval Historian and former US Navy Commander == References ==