As you may be aware, a small group of young Republicans, primarily from the southern Central Valley, have taken numerous actions to defame the duly elected leaders of California Young Republicans, Inc. (“CYR”), and interfere with Republican activism and Party unity. In addition to other actions, and in an attempt to confuse Republican activists and candidates, they have wrongly claimed that they are the real leaders of CYR. To be clear this is the only official website of CYR, and the individuals listed on this site are the duly elected leaders of CYR.

Additionally, this small rogue group has recently filed an arbitration action against certain leaders of California Young Republicans, Inc. (“CYR”). They claim they are the elected leaders of CYR. Their claims are meritless.

The California Republican Party (“CRP”) bylaws provide a process for resolving this dispute, and the legitimate leaders of CYR intend to follow that process. Accordingly, we have initiated dispute resolution with the CRP’s Volunteer Organizations Committee. We look forward to all the facts coming to light in the proper forum.

From February 19-21, 2010, CYR held its annual convention in Santa Clara. The February Convention was advertised by the CRP on its website, and was announced at the YRNF National Committee’s November meeting in Kansas City. Even though several members of the group claiming to be the real leaders of CYR were present when the February Convention was announced to the YRNF National Committee in November, none of them objected.

The February Convention was attended by over two hundred people, including more than ten Young Republican clubs representing various regions of California. Most major Republican candidates addressed the convention, including all three Republican candidates for the United States Senate, several candidates for United States Congress, one of the two Republican gubernatorial candidates, two of the three candidates for Attorney General, and Republican candidates for Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner, as well as State Senate and Assembly districts throughout California. The February Convention’s Annual Dinner was presided over by the Vice-Chairman of the California Republican Party.

The delegates re-elected Jenniffer Rodriguez as Chair of CYR. Also elected were Executive Vice Chairman Dave Bartels, Administrative Vice Chairman Joseph Sanchis, Secretary Rohit Joy, Treasurer Michelle Cloyne, National Committeeman Adam Abrahms, National Committeewoman Tiffany Delepine, Southern Regional Director Andrew Lund, Central Regional Director Jennifer Wanders, Northern Regional Director Ed Sheppard, Communications Director Angie Meyer and Finance Director Michael Major.

The delegates also passed a bylaw amendment and a series of resolutions in order to unify and merge with the Young Republican Federation of California (YRFC) with the purpose of growing the conservative youth movement and focusing on electing good and principled Republicans into local, state, and federal office in 2010 – an election year which is expected to be historic. For nearly 20 years, the CYRs and the YRFC have been distracted with inter-organizational battles. We look forward to building one united conservative youth movement that promises to be a powerful force in electing Republicans in California.