Penn State College Republicans

Last updated
Penn State
College Republicans
PresidentTristin Kilgore
Vice PresidentHunter Steach
Founded1940;86 years ago (1940)
Headquarters State College, PA
Mother party Republican Party
State party Pennsylvania Republican Party
Website https://psucollegerepublicans.org

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]

Contents

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

Executive Board

The Executive Board of the Penn State College Republicans is elected yearly at the end of the Spring Semester. [4] All active members of the organization are eligible to run for and vote for the elected positions. The only position on the Executive Board that is not elected is the Chief of Staff, who also does not have a vote on the Executive Board. This position is appointed by the President at the beginning of the Fall Semester and is traditionally held by a First-Year Student.

Current Executive Board [12]

  • 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. [4] These Cabinet Directors include, but are not limited to, Political Director, Communications Director, Fundraising Director, and Press Secretary. [12]

Current Cabinet [12]

  • 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

NameTerm# of TermsClassSchool
Tristin Kilgore [13] 2025-Present12027Liberal Arts
Ryan Klein [14] 2023-202522025Liberal Arts & Schreyer
Matt Soska [15] 2022-2312023Liberal Arts & Schreyer
Morgan (Watt) Clark [16] 2021-2212022Agricultural Sciences
Jordan Clark [17] 2020-2112021 & 2022Bellisario & Smeal
Max Myers [18] 2019-2012020Liberal Arts
Reagan McCarthy [19] 2018-1912019Liberal Arts
Grant Worley [20] 2017-1812018Engineering
Michael Straw [21] 2016-1712017Liberal Arts
Brad Simmons [22] Spring 20160.52016Liberal Arts
Darian (Gist) David [23] 2015-161.52016Education
Brandon Matsnev [24] 2014-1512015Liberal Arts
Jordan Harris [25] 2012-1422014
Josh Crawford [26] 2010-1222012Liberal Arts
David Frantz [27] Spring 20100.52010Liberal Arts
Alex Smith [28] 2008-091
Brandon Means [29] 2007-081
Todd Taylor [30] 2006-071
Seth Bender [31] Fall 20060.5
Andy Banducci [32] 2004-0622006
Rich Pastena [33] Spring 20040.5
Brian Battaglia [34] Fall 20030.52004
Chris Miller [35] 2002-0312004
Mike Gallo [36] 2001-0212003
T.J. Kokolis [37] 2000-0112002
Melissa Kowalski [38] 1999-200012001
Eric Deitrick [39] Fall 19980.5
Jerrold Ansman [40] 1996-9821999
Mike Owens [41] 1995-961
Steve Brame [42] 1994-9511996
William Enscore [43] 1993-941
Tricia Giannini [44] 1992-931
Lance O'Donnell [45] 1991-921
Mary Miles [46] 1990-9111993
John Souren [47] 1989-9011990
Jim Hamilton [48] 1988-891
Christopher Woronchuk [49] 1987-881
Unknown1986-871
Maria Benecki [50] 1985-8611986
Rich Forgette [51] 1984-851
Michael O'Connell [52] Spring 19840.51986
Bernie Hughs [53] 1983-841
Donald McClure [54] 1982-8311983
Suzanne Harbolis [55] 1981-821
Jeffery Sundheim [56] 1980-811
Jane Kapp [57] 1979-801
David Winkler [58] 1978-791
Rick Santorum [59] 1977-7811980Liberal Arts
Defunct from 1973-1977
Jan Levenberg [60] 1972-731
Benjamin Sinclair [61] 1952-5311954
Vincent Yakowicz [62] Spring 19520.5

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. [63] 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. [64] Congressman Glenn "GT" Thompson commended this deployment as the "largest College Republican door knocking effort" during the election cycle. [65] 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. [66] [67]

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. [68] The Pennsylvania Collegiate Leadership Conference seeks to be an event for any individual that wants to learn more about these conservative principles. [69] In 2026, PSU GOP, during the third annual PCLC, expanded the conference to become a two day event for first time ever. [70]

Notable Speakers [71]

Endorsements

2025

For the 2025 Pennsylvania Elections, the Penn State College Republicans endorsed the slate of Republican judicial nominees. This included:

They, also, encouraged Pennsylvanians to vote No on retention for Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht. [74]

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. [75] [76] 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. [77] 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. [87]

2020

One week before the 2020 Presidential election, the Penn State College Republicans issued a slate of endorsements. [88] PSU GOP endorsed the following candidates:

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. [89] Along with 13 other College Republicans chapters who declined to endorse Trump or endorsed another candidate for President. [90] This marked the first time in the organization's history that they did not endorse the Republican nominee for President.

Notable members

References

  1. ↑ "Chapters". www.uscollegegop.com. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  2. 1 2 "Org Central". login.microsoftonline.com. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  3. ↑ "Penn State College Republicans – The Best Party on Campus!". sites.psu.edu. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Constitution – Penn State College Republicans". sites.psu.edu. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  5. ↑ Redden, Molly (2012-02-28). "New Republic: Who Was Rick Santorum In College?". NPR. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  6. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  7. ↑ "Letter Points to Meddling in College Republican Race by Outgoing Chairman". National Review. 2021-07-19. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  8. ↑ Leonard, Karoline (2021-07-24). "NY College Republicans secede from national committee following investigation". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  9. 1 2 "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
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  13. ↑ Collegian, Jonathon Chiu | The Daily (2025-09-11). "Turning Point USA, Penn State Republicans hold vigil for Charlie Kirk". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
  14. ↑ Collegian, Claire Huss | The Daily (2025-02-08). "Penn State College Republicans hold second annual Pennsylvania Collegiate Leadership Conference". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
  15. ↑ Collegian, Caitlin Concannon | The Daily (2022-09-11). "Penn State community '[comes] together as Americans' during 9/11 commemoration events". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  16. ↑ Collegian, Kate Irwin | The Daily (2021-09-10). "'We'll never forget' | Penn State students pay tribute to 9/11 victims, recent American deaths in Afghanistan". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  17. ↑ Collegian, Kyle Hutchinson | The Daily (2021-01-18). "Penn State political organization leaders condemn riot in U.S. Capitol". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  18. ↑ Collegian, James Langan | The Daily (2020-03-06). "How one freshman THON dancer made the most of her unique opportunity". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
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  22. ↑ Collegian, Katie DeFiore | The Daily (2016-04-07). "Speaker Ben Shapiro instigates student protest". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
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  33. ↑ Winberry, Jen (2004-09-17). "Thousands rally outside Schwab during speech". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
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  88. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
  89. ↑ Collegian, Andrew Kalmowitz | The Daily (2016-08-24). "Penn State College Republicans discuss club's decision not to endorse Donald Trump". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
  90. ↑ "List of Republicans who opposed the Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign", Wikipedia, 2024-12-25, retrieved 2025-02-22
  91. ↑ "Vincent Yakowicz Obituary (2010) - New Cumberland, PA - Patriot-News". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
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