High School Republican National Federation

The High School Republican National Federation, commonly referred to as the High School Republicans or HSReps, is a 501(c)(4) organization for members of the Republican Party of the United States who are current high school students, or between the ages of 13 and 18.

High School Republicans

High School Republican National Federation

Formation| April 2022; 1 year ago (2022-04)
Founder| William Atkins

Tax ID no.

| 501(c)(4)

National Chairman

| Michael Gregory

Co-Chairman

| Yosef Herrera

Secretary

| Joshua Jen

Treasurer

| Garrett Bumps
Website| https://www.hsreps.org/

## History[edit]

The High School Republican National Federation was established as a youth-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, of which were existing auxiliaries of their respective state parties.[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 some HSReps chapters are styled as 'Teen Republicans,' they still operate under the National Federation.[2]

## Organization[edit]

The High School Republican National Federation has state and local chapters nationwide. The largest chapters are in New Jersey, Nebraska,and North Carolina. They have 10,000 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 individual 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, registered voters, and helped to elect Republicans in their own communities.[3][4]

## Involvement[edit]

During election season, High School Republicans use 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 are also engaging in legislative activism in their state chapters. In December 2023, The New Jersey High School Republicans testified in Trenton, New Jersey, to support the Involve our Youth Act, a bill that would give high school students specific excused absences for civic engagement.[7][8] They partnered with the New Jersey High School Democrats to get the bill passed.[9]

## See also[edit]

Young Republicans

College Republicans

Teen Age Republicans

Republican Party

High School Democrats of America

College Democrats

## References[edit]

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. ^ a b Sanderford, Aaron (2022-11-10). "High School Republicans, union support helped power Bacon's win". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
4. ^ a b 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.