President’s News
by CCR | Jan 27, 2024 | President's News
On January 23rd, delegates for the California Congress of Republicans gathered for the CCR Endorsement Convention. These delegates represent chapters scattered throughout California, from Shasta to San Diego, from the Central Coast to Hemet and San Bernardino. The delegates were sent website links for the US Senate candidates prior to the convention and received presentations at the start of the convention. After three outstanding speeches, the delegates made their endorsement for Steve Garvey for United States Senate. The delegates continued their meeting by endorsing candidates for 32 Assembly districts, 11 State Senate seats, and 29 Congressional districts. Our endorsements are publicized on our website and through email blasts. We believe candidates value their CCR endorsement and can use it in their speeches and campaigns. We encourage our chapters to use our list of endorsed candidates to help complete local voting slates for distribution throughout their community.
I would like to thank all the Republican candidates for their pursuit of public office. From school board to United Sates Senator, the campaign trail is a long one that is emotionally, physically, and financially draining. Republican candidates are peppered with endless questions about their ideas and solutions to problems and are often misquoted or attacked in the press and social media. So, I applaud the candidates for the courage, dedication, and hard work it takes to run for an office.
Ballots will be mailed to voters in less than two weeks. Now is the time to help our endorsed candidates and turn out our fellow Republican voters for the primary election. Consider phone banking, door knocking, and financial contributions for our candidates. Reach out to your family and friends and offer your knowledge and recommendations. Email or text them a link to the California Congress of Republicans endorsements in both statewide and district races. And of course, do not forget to cast your vote early and track your ballot to be sure it is counted!
by CCR | Dec 28, 2023 | President's News
On December 19, the California Congress of Republicans welcomed the addition of the San Joaquin Congress of Republicans to our organization. Our newest chapter under the leadership of Scott Winn and Reverend Dwight Williams is seeking interested Republicans in San Joaquin County to join their group. Contact information is found under the CCR Chapters tab.
The North Bay Congress of Republicans joined the CCR mid-year 2023, and they have been very active in their area, recruiting and supporting Republican candidates for the upcoming election. Hats off to David Ennis and Kevin Krick for their energy and guidance for this new chapter.
In the Sierra mountains region, Division 3, Dr. Arnie Zeiderman has organized and is leading the Sierra Congress of Republicans, which stretches over four different counties. This chapter expanses over three different U.S. congressional districts and they are represented by Republicans Tom McClintock (4CD), Doug LaMalfa (1CD), and Kevin Kiley (3CD).
The Christmas and New Year season is the most wonderful time of the year. We wish everyone a joyous holiday with their family and friends as we gather to exchange gifts, enjoy meals together, and celebrate our own unique family traditions.
Let us keep in our thoughts and prayers the men and women in uniform serving our country and who are away from their families. May we also remember those among us who are less fortunate and facing tribulations during this time.
Merry Christmas to all!
by CCR | Oct 4, 2023 | President's News
The Anaheim Marriott was the place to be on the last weekend of September. The California Republican Party hosted its Fall Convention and had four, count them, four Presidential candidates speak at the convention. Leading off with President Donald J. Trump at Friday’s Lunch Banquet, he spoke to a multitude of excited and vocal guests. Senator Tim Scott held an afternoon event where he delivered his speech on his vision and goals for our country. The Friday evening dinner featured Governor Ron DeSantis where he spoke to another full house of California faithful Republicans. On Saturday, Vivek Ramaswamy was the featured speaker for the lunch banquet and did not disappoint another assembly of Republicans.
The California Congress of Republicans held its meeting Saturday afternoon where it presented a program, “What to Expect on Sunday,” Members from the committees on Sunday’s agenda informed the attendees what would be presented to the delegates and their recommendations on each item. There were CCR members belonging to each of these committees. Candice Cetrone represented the Volunteers Organization Committee, Luis Buhler delivered the Rules Committee information, Mike Wright spoke for the Initiatives Committee, Anna Bryson represented the Resolutions Committee, and Mark Hershey gave the recommendation from the Platform Committee.
CCR members from all over the state attended the meeting and gave their Chapter updates, John Murphy reported on the events and meetings held by North County of San Diego organization, Dr. Arnie Zeiderman described the progress and plans for the North Sierra region, and Anna Bryson advised on the recent and future events for the Orange County club. Charlene Stover gave the Hemet / San Jacinto presentation. Timur Engin updated us on the many activities involving SPARC. Jeff Brown delivered the update for Santa Clarita having monthly meetings and a recent barbecue social event.
Once again, the California Congress of Republicans was a sponsor for the “Return to the Republican Revolution – circa 1994” party on Saturday night that was hosted by the California Young Republican Federation and the Log Cabin Republicans of California. Organizations. Hundreds of Republicans enjoyed the event going late into the night.
The California Congress of Republicans presented itself well at the convention. An informative presentation at our meeting and a fun time with our Republican friends at the Saturday night party.
by CCR | Dec 13, 2022 | President's News
America has always been a big fan of Christmas. The settlers who arrived in the early 1600’s held Christmas with a high regard, preserving it as “a sacred occasion and a day of rest.” Many Christmas traditions can be traced back to America’s Founding Fathers, who each celebrated Christmas in their own way. George Washington celebrated Christmas with his family at Mount Vernon, where the entire family spent 12 days celebrating the holiday. They would host family and friends to celebrate Christmas during the lengthy 12-day holiday.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Franklin was vocal about his faith in God, who he called “Creator of the universe” who “governs it by his Providence.” He remarked in his Poor Richard’s Almanac in 1733, “A good conscience is a continual Christmas.
The first White House Christmas party can be attributed to the second President of the United States. John Adams and his wife hosted their Christmas party for their four-year-old granddaughter Susanna Boylston Adams, and the event was attended by government officials and their children. Thomas Jefferson described Christmas as “the day of greatest mirth and jollity” and recounted how he celebrated Christmas with his grandchildren. Upon inheriting the White House from Jefferson, James Madison continued the Christmas tradition of hosting parties at the White House, but he and First Lady Dolley began the tradition of sending out Christmas cards to their family and friends. John Quincy Adams wrote “Is it not that in the chain of human events, the birthday of a nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior? Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer’s mission upon earth? That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity?”
It is through reflecting on the thoughts of the Founding Fathers on Christmas and their faith that Americans can understand how deeply rooted the holiday is in America’s identity and culture.
On June 26, 1870, the American government declared Christmas a federal holiday.
by CCR | Nov 16, 2022 | President's News
Peter Coe Verbica
November 14, 2022
sanjoseinside.com
Pull up a chair and I’ll tell you a story. It’s not about little red riding hood or houses built out of straw. But there are pigs and wolves.
I’m a fifth-generation Californian who grew up on a cattle ranch and went to MIT. So, I’ve looked back at the old and looked ahead to the new. I have training in real estate, law and finance. I work as an investment advisor and an investment banker. I have four daughters and am a baptized Episcopalian. I have served on many non-profit boards, though I prefer being on horseback. This year, I bucked the advice of many friends and ran as a Republican for the Board of Equalization (“BOE”). I’m in District 2 which covers 19 counties that cling to the coast from the Oregon border down to Ventura County.
What’s the BOE? It was created in 1879 to ensure that counties charged property taxes uniformly. It collects alcohol and pipeline taxes. Perhaps most unique to the Board is its Taxpayers’ Rights Advocate Office. Some want the BOE folded under the governor’s office. Those wary of consolidating power have argued otherwise.
As a Top Two candidate, I made it to the General Election. To my surprise, I beat one of Gavin Newsom’s former hand-picked replacements. (He appointed her to the SF Board of Supervisors when he jumped to his next gig.) The good news? Our campaign bumped up the district’s CAGOP percentage of votes by over 13% versus the last election cycle. They’re still counting the votes. So far, 584,090 voted for yours truly – more than 2.5 times the number of Republicans in the State of Wyoming! The bad news? I still lost decisively to a hard-Left progressive. It makes you scratch your head and take stock.
Here’s what I learned, running as a commonsense Republican in California…
Read More
by CCR | Oct 28, 2022 | President's News
By Mark Hershey, President
California Congress of Republicans
We all should have received our ballots by now. It is Election Season in California. I cannot stress enough how important it is for each of us to vote. And we must convince all our family members, friends, neighbors to vote as well. Many of us are working with local campaigns to get out Republican voters by phone banking, door knocking, sign waving, and financial support. This is particularly important, but do not forget to have your closest relationships vote.
Getting Republicans out to vote is especially important since we are only 24% of the registered voters in California. Midterm elections historically have lower voter turnout. Terrible policies by the current Democrat controlled regime have caused 40-year high inflation, unprecedented gasoline prices, poor economic conditions, out of control crime, open border crisis, fentanyl deaths, and demonization of parents by public school officials. These issues are motivating Republican and NPP voters while discouraging Democrat voters. If 70% of Republicans vote while only 50% of Democrats vote, California can be part of the 2022 Red Wave. It is not realistic to think we can win every race, but we must re-elect our Republican incumbents while we add many more Republicans to California State offices, Congress, Assembly and State Senate, and local city council, water board, and school board offices. Removing the one party dominated legislature begins with baby steps, but I believe we can make a big jump this cycle.
