High School Republican National Federation

High School Republicans
National Chairman	Yosef Herrera (TX)
National Co-Chairman	Braden Lacefield (KY)
National Secretary	Caden Schafer-Rose (WI)
Treasurer	Vacant
Executive Director	Michael Bicksel (VA)
Political Director	Om Sharma (VA)
Communications Director	Kiran Bhatia (MA)
Development Director	Gabriel Kirkwood (TX)
Founded	April 9, 2022; 2 years ago (2022-04-09)
Split from	Teenage Republicans
Ideology	Conservatism
Website	www.highschoolrepublicans.com

The High School Republican National Federation, commonly referred to as the High School Republicans or HSReps, is a 501(c)(4) organization and student-led organization that seeks to mobilize young people and elect Republicans. HSReps members across the country engage in political activity and work on political campaigns.

History

The High School Republican National Federation was established as a student-led organization in April 2022 to provide greater coordination and support for local high school Republican groups. It was founded through a convention of state federations, each of which was an existing auxiliary of its respective state party.^[1] Their mission statement is to "fight the ideological battle in schools, work hard to contact voters to elect Republicans, and organize for a strong future." Although certain HSReps chapters are styled as 'Teen Republicans,' some still operate under the National Federation.^[2]

Organization

The High School Republican National Federation has state and local chapters nationwide. The largest chapter is in Texas with 1,000 active members. The national organization presides over High School Republicans as a whole. It is led by the National Board, which consists of a chairman, co-chairman, regional vice chairmen, secretary, and appointed directors. The National Board is responsible for overseeing and growing the organization to promote Republican causes. Leadership also includes a National Committee consisting of representatives from each state.

Local chapters at high schools and counties work at a grassroots level to rally young people behind causes. Local High School Republican chapters have organized candidate forums, held voter registration drives, and helped to elect Republicans in their communities.^[3][4]

Involvement

During election season, High School Republicans utilize door-to-door canvassing, phone banking, and word of mouth to reach voters on behalf of Republican campaigns.^[5][6] These students have assisted on several campaigns, including those for Congressman Don Bacon,^[3] Heidi Ganahl,^[4] and several others.

High School Republicans also engage in legislative activism in their state chapters. In December 2023, New Jersey High School Republicans members testified in Trenton, New Jersey, to support the Involve Our Youth Act, a bill to give high school students excused absences for engaging in civic activities.^[7][8] They partnered with the New Jersey High School Democrats to get the bill passed.^[9]

See also

• Young Republicans
• College Republicans
• Teen Age Republicans
• Republican Party
• High School Democrats of America
• College Democrats

References

1. "Younger Republicans More Likely to Favor Gun Laws Than Older Ones". VOA. 2023-08-23. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
2. Russell, Jenna; Fortin, Jacey; Ford, Beverly; Cataneo, Emily (2023-06-29). "Ruling Raises Uncertainty for High School Students Heading to College". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
3. Sanderford, Aaron (2022-11-10). "High School Republicans, union support helped power Bacon's win". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
4. Ernest Luning (2022-08-29). "Q&A with James Ruehmann | Founder of state, national GOP groups works to involve kids in politics". Colorado Politics. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
5. Contributed (2021-07-08). "Walker Countian is rising teen Republican star". Northwest Georgia News. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
6. "HIGH SCHOOL REPUBLICANS HOLD SUCCESSFUL KICK-OFF EVENT WITH TOP STATE REPUBLICANS". Insider NJ. 2022-03-01. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
7. Fox, Joey (2022-03-10). "Assembly bill would let students skip one day of school for civic engagement". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
8. Fromberg, Samuel (July 21, 2022). "BRHS Rising Senior Lobbies for Legislation to Increase Civic Engagement Opportunities for Students". TAP into. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
9. "HIGH SCHOOLERS LOBBY IN TRENTON FOR YOUTH CIVIC ENGAGEMENT BILL". Insider NJ. 2023-12-19. Retrieved 2024-01-02.