I got involved in Republican politics in the days of the Ron Paul R3VOLution outside Nashville, Tennessee. I liken my political emergence to a man showing up to a fortress with a torch attempting to burn it all down while asking, “Why won’t you accept me?”
It’s a bit hyperbolic, but it captures the essence of my early engagement. Though I was ultimately welcomed in the Young Republicans, I was shunned by “establishment” figures in my local Republican Party because I hadn’t been around, I didn’t do things like they did, and I didn’t support protecting entrenched incumbents.
When I moved to Arlington, Virginia to kickstart my career in organizing, politics, and public policy, I was met with similar trepidation. The Young Republicans had a leadership battle early in my involvement, and the Ron Paul faction won a decisive victory. From there, some members of the Unit Committee expressed concern because I was new and didn’t do things they way they did them.
Fast-forward a little more than a decade, and I’m now the “establishment” in that Committee, having recently been elected Chairman unanimously with no opposition. Along the way — each time I was elected or appointed to hold party office, either by “establishment” elements or by out-organizing them — I did the real work it takes to grow the the committee.
Across Virginia (and likely across the country), insurgent challengers are rising up to defeat the “establishments” in their own committees. Some of you have won your elections by organizing, recruiting members, and turning them out to vote.
This advice is for you.
First, congratulations on your victory in the election for leadership of your local political committee! Winning an election is a significant achievement, but it's also just the beginning of your responsibilities and opportunities to make a positive impact. Here are 10 steps you can consider taking after defeating the “establishment” and winning an election to leadership for a local political committee:
Build Unity: Now that you're in a leadership position, it's critically-important to bring the committee together. Reach out to members who were part of the previous leadership or who may have been on the opposing side during the election. Emphasize the common goals and values that everyone can work towards together.
Set Goals: Work with the committee to set clear and achievable short-term and long-term goals. These goals could include policy changes, community outreach initiatives, or organizational improvements within the committee itself.
Develop a Strategic Plan: Create a strategic plan that outlines how you will achieve your goals. This plan should include timelines, responsibilities, and measurable indicators of success.
Engage with the Community: As a local political committee, it's crucial to engage with the community you represent. Organize events, town hall meetings, and outreach programs to connect with constituents, listen to their concerns, and gather input on important issues.
Advocate for Change: Use your position to advocate for positive change on your committee and in your community. This could involve rallying members to change bylaws, restructuring the committee to address current challenges, lobbying for policy reforms, supporting local initiatives, or collaborating with other organizations to address pressing issues.
Promote Transparency and Accountability: Foster a culture of transparency and accountability within the committee. Keep members informed about decisions, finances, and activities. Establish mechanisms for feedback and evaluation to ensure that the committee remains accountable to its members and the community.
Build Relationships: Develop relationships with other political leaders, community organizations, and stakeholders. Collaboration and coalition-building can strengthen your impact and create opportunities for mutual support and cooperation.
Invest in Leadership Development: Identify and nurture emerging leaders within the committee. Provide training, mentorship, and opportunities for leadership roles to ensure the continuity and effectiveness of your organization.
Evaluate and Adapt: Regularly evaluate your progress towards goals and be willing to adapt strategies as needed. Solicit feedback from members and the community to identify areas for improvement and refinement.
Celebrate Achievements: Recognize and celebrate achievements, both big and small. Acknowledge the hard work and contributions of committee members, and use successes as momentum to inspire continued dedication and engagement.
Many activists who are organizing and “taking over” local unit committees this cycle come from the America First wing of the Republican Party — ardent supporters of Donald Trump who are “digging in” to the committee infrastructure to ensure his form of Republicanism is carried out at every level of the Republican Party structure.
Many of them are new to party process. And that’s okay. But you can’t take the Kristina Karamo approach to defeating the “establishment” — winning election only to oversee the destruction of your committee from within. You must do the hard work it takes to sustain and grow your efforts.
It’s not easy. It takes a lot of work. And it takes commitment and buy-in from your allies, as well as from the people you defeated in your leadership election.
But by focusing on these areas, you can leverage your victory in the election to lead your local political committee toward positive change and meaningful impact in your community.