Politics & Government

Young Republicans Judge Political Pitches

About 25 members of the recently formed Inland Valley Young Republicans listened to more than a dozen political candidates on Thursday night during a Candidate Endorsement forum.

On Thursday night, the young took over the political scene and decided who the hot candidates in the Inland Empire would be during a Candidate Endorsement forum presented by the Inland Valley Young Republican.

Thirteen candidates for congressional and assembly districts addressed the group of 20-somethings at the Banquet Hall at Mill Creek Cattle Co. in Mentone. They got two minutes to introduce themselves and another few minutes to answer two questions submitted by the crowd. Anyone who ran long was reminded to wrap up by an airhorn.

About 25 members of the young Republicans voted for whom they wanted to endorse through secret ballots.

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Endorsements went to Rep. Tim Donnelly (Assembly Dist. 33), Donna Lowe (Assembly Dist. 31), Jeane Ensley (Assembly Dist. 46), Bob Duran (Congressional Dist. 27), Rep. Gary Miller (Congressional Dist. 31) and Paul Cook (Congressional Dist. 8.)

For those who received endorsements, it means added volunteers willing to canvass communities and make calls. For those who did not, it still provided exposure to a much sought after age demographic that is seen as apathetic or liberal.

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And of course, for the young Republicans, it meant a chance to be heard. The club was launched only three months ago.

“I like candidates who spoke in specifics,” said Victoria Tran, a student at UC Riverside and member of the college’s chapter of the College Republicans. “I like the candidates who spoke to the issues that affected me.”

The endorsed candidates had, “an articulate conservative message that not only is conservative, but appeals to the young voters,” said Arturo Garcia, president of the Inland Valley Young Republicans. “It shows that they have the ability to inspire young voters, inspire them to take over the country and improve things.”

The group will make sure to promote and get them elected, Garcia said.

“I think this is exciting,” said Assemblyman Tim Donnelly (R-Twin Peaks) referring to the efforts of the young Republicans. “There’s a renewal of the Republican spirit, the American spirit within the Republican party and it’s the young people. I think you’re going to see a real move toward conservatism.”

Fiscal conservatism used to be in both parties. Now, Donnelly says it is embraced almost exclusively by the Republican party.

“We’re broke,” Donnelly said. “And (the Young Republicans) know it. They’re going to have to pay the bills.”

In 2010, there really was not a young Republican base, said Ensley.

“I know myself, and my own party, I belong to the (San Bernardino County Republican) central committee, have tried to work and put things together and to encourage young people to please get involved,” Ensley said. “It’s so important. This is your future. These decisions that are being made today in Washington and the state are going to affect your lives forever.”


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