The Penn State College Republicans (PSU GOP) is a chapter of the College Republicans at the Pennsylvania State University. 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.

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."

History

Founding The PSU GOP was founded in 1940. The organization was not officially registered with the University as Penn State did not keep records of student organizations until the 1970s.

Reestablishment After the Watergate Scandal and resignation of President Richard Nixon, the Penn State College Republicans dissolved. 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.

The club existed without official recognition from Penn State until December 12th, 1979. Since this date, there has been no lapse in its recognition and existence at Penn State, maintaining a minimum of ten undergraduate, active members.

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). The CRNC controversially stripped the voting rights of several state federations that backed the election of Judah Waxelbaum over Courtney Britt for CRNC Chairman. Among those disqualified were Texas, New York, Mississippi, North Dakota, and Puerto Rico, who all voted to secede following Britt's election. 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). 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." 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." 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.

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."

Leadership

Executive Board The Executive Board of the Penn State College Republicans is elected yearly at the end of the Spring Semester. 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 Tristin Kilgore, President Madeleine MacKenzie, Vice President Emma Smorgonsky, Treasurer Neve McAllister, Secretary Ryan Reichel, Director of Special Events Pierce Hayostek, 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. These Cabinet Directors include, but are not limited to, Political Director, Communications Director, Fundraising Director, and Press Secretary.

Current Cabinet Jed Jallorina, Executive Director Mia Humphreys, Special Advisor to the President Luca Boley, Political Director Ellery Monnin, Communications Director Jameson Barker, Press Secretary Henry Betman, Fundraising Director David Washabaugh VI, Parliamentarian Alex Kreitz, Program Manager Donovan Hunter, Outreach Director Katie Felmlee, Engagement Director

List of Presidents

+NameTerm# of TermsClassSchoolTristin Kilgore2025-Present22027Liberal ArtsRyan Klein2023-202522025Liberal Arts & SchreyerMatt Soska2022-2312023Liberal Arts & SchreyerMorgan (Watt) Clark2021-2212022Agricultural SciencesJordan Clark2020-2112021 & 2022Bellisario & SmealMax Myers2019-2012020Liberal ArtsReagan McCarthy2018-1912019Liberal ArtsGrant Worley2017-1812018EngineeringMichael Straw2016-1712017Liberal ArtsBrad SimmonsSpring 20160.52016Liberal ArtsDarian (Gist) David2015-161.52016EducationBrandon Matsnev2014-1512015Liberal ArtsJordan Harris2012-1422014Josh Crawford2010-1222012Liberal ArtsDavid FrantzSpring 20100.52010Liberal ArtsAlex Smith2008-091Brandon Means2007-081Todd Taylor2006-071Seth BenderFall 20060.5Andy Banducci2004-0622006Rich PastenaSpring 20040.5Brian BattagliaFall 20030.52004Chris Miller2002-0312004Mike Gallo2001-0212003T.J. Kokolis2000-0112002Melissa Kowalski1999-200012001Eric DeitrickFall 19980.5Jerrold Ansman1996-9821999Mike Owens1995-961Steve Brame1994-9511996William Enscore1993-941Tricia Giannini1992-931Lance O'Donnell1991-921Mary Miles1990-9111993John Souren1989-9011990Jim Hamilton1988-891Christopher Woronchuk1987-881Unknown1986-871Maria Benecki1985-8611986Rich Forgette1984-851Michael O'ConnellSpring 19840.51986Bernie Hughs1983-841Donald McClure1982-8311983Suzanne Harbolis1981-821Jeffery Sundheim1980-811Jane Kapp1979-801David Winkler1978-791Rick Santorum1977-7811980Liberal ArtsDefunct from 1974-1977Clyde Sheehan1973-741Jan Levenberg1972-731Bruce Lingenfelter1971-721Benjamin Sinclair1952-5311954Vincent YakowiczSpring 19520.5 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. 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. Congressman Glenn "GT" Thompson commended this deployment as the "largest College Republican door knocking effort" during the election cycle. 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.

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

Notable Speakers Glenn Thompson, Congressman (PA-15) Rob Bresnahan, Congressman (PA-08) Dan Meuser, Congressman (PA-09) Stacy Garrity, Pennsylvania Treasurer Timothy DeFoor, Pennsylvania Auditor General Dave Sunday, Pennsylvania Attorney General Fred Keller, Former Congressman (PA-12) Rick Santorum, former U.S. Senator (R-PA) Greg Rothman, PA State Senator and Chairman of PA GOP Cris Dush, PA State Senator Joe Picozzi, PA State Senator Jesse Topper, PA House Republican Leader Jake Corman, Former PA Senate President Pro-Tempore Mark Krikorian, Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies

Endorsements

2025 For the 2025 Pennsylvania Elections, the Penn State College Republicans endorsed the slate of Republican judicial nominees. This included: Maria Battista for Judge of the Superior Court Matt Wolford for Judge of the Commonwealth Court They, also, encouraged Pennsylvanians to vote No on retention for Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht.

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. 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. The following day, PSU GOP endorsed multiple candidates: Glenn Thompson for Congress (PA-15) Tim DeFoor for PA Auditor General Dave Sunday for PA Attorney General Stacy Garrity for PA Treasurer Cris Dush for PA State Senate (SD-25) Wayne Langerholc for PA State Senate (SD-35) Marie Librizzi for PA State House (HD-77) Therese Hollen for PA State House (HD-82) Kerry Benninghoff for PA State House (HD-171)

After his selection as President Trump's Vice President, PSU GOP endorsed JD Vance for Vice President.

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

Donald Trump for President Fred Keller for Congress (PA-12) Heather Heidelbaugh for PA Attorney General Tim DeFoor for PA Auditor General Stacy Garrity for PA Treasurer Steve Yetsko for PA State House (HD-77)

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

Notable members

Rick Santorum, former U.S. Senator (R-PA) and former Presidential Candidate Vincent Yakowicz, former Pennsylvania Solicitor General and former Secretary of Revenue of Pennsylvania Donald McClure, Chairman of McClure Consulting and Perry County GOP Chairman Dr. David Winkler, Naval Historian and former US Navy Commander

References