College Republicans
College Republicans are college and university students who support the Republican Party of the United States.[1] The Republican Party does not officially affiliate with any College Republicans groups, although operatives work alongside chapters in many instances. College Republicans chapter typically function independently, are part of an independent statewide organization, or a national alliance. The College Republicans are known as an active recruiting tool for the party and have produced many prominent Republican and conservative activists and introduced more party members to the Republican party than any other organization in the nation.[2]
Notable national College Republican organizations include:
Governance of national organizations[edit]
College Republican National Committee (CRNC)[edit]
The College Republican National Committee (CRNC), has historically been the main national College Republicans organization. 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.
National Federation of College Republicans (NFCR)[edit]
The National Federation of College Republicans was created in response to controversies arising in the CRNC. The NFCR claims to encompass 24 state federations (including but not limited to Michigan, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland),[3][4] The NFCR Leadership positions consist of a Chairperson, a National Vice Chairperson, an executive director, a treasurer, a secretary, and a Parliamentarian.[5] Rachel Howard is the current National Chairwoman of the NFCR.
College Republicans of America (CRA)[edit]
The College Republicans of America (CRA) was established in 2023 and encompasses nine federations (Arizona, California, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, Tennessee, Virginia, 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.[6][7][8] In total, the CRA has around 150 active, affiliated College Republicans chapters.
According to their website, they broke away from the CRNC due to it falling "into disrepair."[9] The CRA President and the national committee consist of an appointed president, appointed vice-presidents, appointed directors, and annually elected regional representatives.[10] 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.[10] The current CRA President is Will Donahue.[11]
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.[12] The group has ties to Turning Point Action (TPA), with the COO of TPA serving on the CRA's advisory board.[13]
College Republicans United (CRU)[edit]
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.[14] 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,[15] causing rifts between the CRU and other CR organizations and donors, and has been described as "far-right".[16] The CRU drew further outrage after inviting Nick Fuentes, a noted "white nationalist," to their National Convention event.[17] The group previously invited another white nationalist, Jared Taylor, to speak at a campus event.[18] The CRU is currently the smallest federation by state and chapter count, containing 5 collegiate chapters.[19]
Governance of state organizations[edit]
State federations[edit]
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.[20] It is a state federation's responsibility to organize and implement activities for statewide campaigns.[20] Like the national organization, state federations operate as non-profit associations that are not legally affiliated with the Republican Party.[20]
Campus chapters[edit]
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.[20] 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.[20] 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.[20] The campus chapter leadership team might include many members, with administrative responsibilities delegated to dormitory and Greek chapter chairpersons.
