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Corrin Rankin Wins Chair at Upbeat State Convention

by Roger Riffenburgh

The mood at the California Republican Party convention was enthusiastic as the Trump administration is taking action, candidates are surfacing to run for governor, and the party elected its new leadership.  The convention was held in Sacramento the weekend of March 14-16.

The primary business of the organizing convention was electing the new officers for the next two years, and there was heavy campaigning right up until the vote.  Corrin Rankin defeated former state Senator Mike Morrell by a vote of 747-559 or 57% for Rankin.  Rankin is a businesswoman who has served as the statewide Vice Chair for the past two years.  The new Vice Chair is Orange County businessman John Park, who has been serving as the Regional Vice Chair for the South region and was the top vote getter in the four statewide races.  Imperial County Chairwoman Sayrs Morris was elected Secretary.  Jack Guerrero, a CPA and former mayor of his city, won for Treasurer.

The Bay Area Regional Vice Chair race was won by longtime San Mateo County Republican activist Tom Weissmiller.  Delegates from the Central Coast region, which includes Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties plus coastal counties to the south, elected Santa Barbara’s Bobbi McGinnis as their Regional Vice Chair, defeating incumbent Randall Jordan.  The North West region, which includes Sonoma, Napa, and Solano Counties and other counties to the north, chose Michael  Greer, a trustee of the Del Norte school board and recent Assembly candidate.  The North region elected Placer Chair Mark Wright.  The Central Valley region elected former Stanislaus County Chair and data scientist Joseph Day.  The other three regions are in Southern California, and their vice chairs will be elected at the next convention.

In addition, the Bay Area’s John Dennis of San Francisco was re-elected as Chairman of the County Chairmen’s Association.

Various speakers mentioned the increase in votes for President Trump in 2024 and voter dissatisfaction with policies of California Democrats.  There was a lot of optimism that Republicans can gain seats.  Three potential candidates for governor in 2026 were busy campaigning.  Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco was talking to delegates near the registration area.  Steve Hilton held a book signing of his new book ‘CaliFailure’.  And Leo Zacky sponsored an enjoyable casino night.

The Friday night banquet honored the dozens of men and one woman who had served as chairs of the California Republican Party.  Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales, the speaker at Saturday’s lunch said the way to attract Hispanic votes is to “Show up early. Show up often.”  At Saturday night’s dinner, Jessica Patterson invited her two school-age daughters to give the invocation and the flag salute,  Incredibly cute.  The dinner speaker was swimmer Riley Gaines, who thanked President Trump for signing an executive order to protect women athletes.

The next state convention will be held September 5-7 in Orange County.

Corrin Rankin Wins Chair at Upbeat State Convention

by Roger Riffenburgh

The mood at the California Republican Party convention was enthusiastic as the Trump administration is taking action, candidates are surfacing to run for governor, and the party elected its new leadership.  The convention was held in Sacramento the weekend of March 14-16.

The primary business of the organizing convention was electing the new officers for the next two years, and there was heavy campaigning right up until the vote.  Corrin Rankin defeated former state Senator Mike Morrell by a vote of 747-559 or 57% for Rankin.  Rankin is a businesswoman who has served as the statewide Vice Chair for the past two years.  The new Vice Chair is Orange County businessman John Park, who has been serving as the Regional Vice Chair for the South region and was the top vote getter in the four statewide races.  Imperial County Chairwoman Sayrs Morris was elected Secretary.  Jack Guerrero, a CPA and former mayor of his city, won for Treasurer.

The Bay Area Regional Vice Chair race was won by longtime San Mateo County Republican activist Tom Weissmiller.  Delegates from the Central Coast region, which includes Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties plus coastal counties to the south, elected Santa Barbara’s Bobbi McGinnis as their Regional Vice Chair, defeating incumbent Randall Jordan.  The North West region, which includes Sonoma, Napa, and Solano Counties and other counties to the north, chose Michael  Greer, a trustee of the Del Norte school board and recent Assembly candidate.  The North region elected Placer Chair Mark Wright.  The Central Valley region elected former Stanislaus County Chair and data scientist Joseph Day.  The other three regions are in Southern California, and their vice chairs will be elected at the next convention.

In addition, the Bay Area’s John Dennis of San Francisco was re-elected as Chairman of the County Chairmen’s Association.

Various speakers mentioned the increase in votes for President Trump in 2024 and voter dissatisfaction with policies of California Democrats.  There was a lot of optimism that Republicans can gain seats.  Three potential candidates for governor in 2026 were busy campaigning.  Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco was talking to delegates near the registration area.  Steve Hilton held a book signing of his new book ‘CaliFailure’.  And Leo Zacky sponsored an enjoyable casino night.

The Friday night banquet honored the dozens of men and one woman who had served as chairs of the California Republican Party.  Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales, the speaker at Saturday’s lunch said the way to attract Hispanic votes is to “Show up early. Show up often.”  At Saturday night’s dinner, Jessica Patterson invited her two school-age daughters to give the invocation and the flag salute,  Incredibly cute.  The dinner speaker was swimmer Riley Gaines, who thanked President Trump for signing an executive order to protect women athletes.

The next state convention will be held September 5-7 in Orange County.

*Paid for by the South Peninsula Area Republican Coalition

LIST OF UPCOMING GOP EVENTS

View more details for events on the Calendar of Upcoming Events or view the Monthly Calendar of Events.

ElecTech Campaign Technology Summit Returns to SFO

California’s premiere election technology conference, ElecTech Campaign Technology Summit, returns to the Bay Area from April 30–May 1 at the Grand Hyatt at SFO.

Organized by the Leadership Institute, this two-day event brings together the best minds in tech, data, and digital strategy to equip conservatives with the tools they need to compete and win. With confirmed speakers and presenters from Microsoft, Google, X, Defending Digital Campaigns, Numinar, Vottiv, Graphika, and the Center for Campaign Innovation, ElecTech offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how technology is reshaping campaigns from the ground up.

Attendees will gain firsthand knowledge of emerging platforms, learn how to use data more effectively, and see real-time demos of tools that can save time and money while expanding reach. From digital advertising and voter targeting to content strategy and online security, ElecTech covers the full campaign tech stack—with practical takeaways at every level.

Campaigns, both political and military, are often won by those who master emerging technology. ElecTech provides participants the opportunity to learn the latest developments in campaign technology so they can be deployed in the current campaign cycle.

But the real magic happens in the room. Campaigners, candidates, digital staffers, and grassroots leaders from across the country will be there—not just to learn, but to connect. Whether you’re just starting out or already deep in the field, you’ll leave with new strategies, new contacts, and a clearer vision for 2026 and beyond.

ElecTech isn’t a traditional political conference. It’s fast-paced, forward-looking, and focused on what works. If you’re serious about running better campaigns—or helping others do it—you won’t want to miss it.

For more information on how to register, click here.

 

California Citizens Redistricting Commission – District Viewer

The Commission has developed a district viewer that allows you to more easily navigate visualizations and zoom in and out of geographic areas while layering congressional, State Senate and Assembly boundaries.

District Viewer Tool

ElecTech Campaign Technology Summit Returns to SFO

California’s premiere election technology conference, ElecTech Campaign Technology Summit, returns to the Bay Area from April 30–May 1 at the Grand Hyatt at SFO.

Organized by the Leadership Institute, this two-day event brings together the best minds in tech, data, and digital strategy to equip conservatives with the tools they need to compete and win. With confirmed speakers and presenters from Microsoft, Google, X, Defending Digital Campaigns, Numinar, Vottiv, Graphika, and the Center for Campaign Innovation, ElecTech offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how technology is reshaping campaigns from the ground up.

Attendees will gain firsthand knowledge of emerging platforms, learn how to use data more effectively, and see real-time demos of tools that can save time and money while expanding reach. From digital advertising and voter targeting to content strategy and online security, ElecTech covers the full campaign tech stack—with practical takeaways at every level.

Campaigns, both political and military, are often won by those who master emerging technology. ElecTech provides participants the opportunity to learn the latest developments in campaign technology so they can be deployed in the current campaign cycle.

But the real magic happens in the room. Campaigners, candidates, digital staffers, and grassroots leaders from across the country will be there—not just to learn, but to connect. Whether you’re just starting out or already deep in the field, you’ll leave with new strategies, new contacts, and a clearer vision for 2026 and beyond.

ElecTech isn’t a traditional political conference. It’s fast-paced, forward-looking, and focused on what works. If you’re serious about running better campaigns—or helping others do it—you won’t want to miss it.

For more information on how to register, click here.

 

*Paid for by the South Peninsula Area Republican Coalition

LIST OF UPCOMING GOP EVENTS

View more details for events on the Calendar of Upcoming Events or view the Monthly Calendar of Events.

California Citizens Redistricting Commission – District Viewer

The Commission has developed a district viewer that allows you to more easily navigate visualizations and zoom in and out of geographic areas while layering congressional, State Senate and Assembly boundaries.

District Viewer Tool
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