Georgia Chapter of National Republican Assemblies chartered

Via Press Release:

GRASSROOTS CONSERVATIVES RISE TO THE CHALLENGE
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLIES
ISSUES CHARTER FOR GEORGIA

ATLANTA, GA – President Ronald Reagan once stated: “The best symbol of the grassroots worker I can think of is the Republican Assembly…The Republican Assemblies are the conscience of the Republican Party.”

Never has the above statement of appreciation of the grassroots conservative activist been more poignant than today. In light of recent statements made by some highly paid consultants calling themselves Republicans, but declaring war on the conservative base of the Party, the GOP grassroots, including Tea Party activists, social conservatives, local GOP activists, and other grassroots conservatives that make up the base of the Republican Party must stand united for the American principles of conservative, limited government, if the Party is to remain intact. Senator Rand Paul stated, “We need more people like you [the Republican Assemblies] who truly believe in the Constitution, in liberty and in standing up to an establishment that believes in neither.”

Ken Blackwell, Vice President of the NFRA stated, “The NFRA is the flagship of constitutionalist conservatism within the Republican Party. It is intent on making sure the federal government has limited powers and the states have an independent sovereign place in our system of government. If we, the people, are to arrest the Obama march to collectivism, social democracy and an imperial presidency, we must swell the ranks of the NFRA and maintain its status as a principled defender of liberty.”

As such, we are proud to announce the formation of the Georgia Republican Assembly, chartered by the NFRA on January 25, 2013.

“We are at a major crossroads in the Republican Party, and we must decide who we are”, said GRA President Julianne Thompson. “Do we stand for the issues that define conservatism, or do we become democrat-lite? Conservatism wins elections when it is well-articulated by a messenger that resonates with the people. The GOP has allowed the left to lead on messaging and we have been reactionary. It is time conservative Republicans become pro-active and choose candidates that can articulate our message of freedom and actually believe in it. The GRA plans to be in the forefront to see that happen not only in elected government positions, but in Republican Party offices as well.”

The National Federation of Republican Assemblies is a 75 year old grassroots movement that began as the California Republican Assembly before going nationwide, to take back the Republican Party for the vast and disenfranchised majority of its members, Reagan conservatives who believe in limited government, lower taxes, free market capitalism, a strong defense, the right to life, and a strong, sovereign America.

Republican Assemblies work to recruit committed conservative activists to become involved in the Republican Party, earning and taking leadership positions within it.  Conservatives, while active in election campaigns, have long ignored the party structure in much of America.  We mean to redress that wrong, increase the ranks of activists, revitalize our Party, and turn it into an electoral powerhouse Americans can believe in once again. Secondly, we do what other Republican organizations almost never do:  we endorse candidates in contested primaries. In the spring of every election year, some Republicans learn to love Ronald Reagan; and ten minutes after clinching the nomination, they get selective amnesia with regard to those who elected them. The NFRA and State organizations hold highly competitive grassroots endorsing conventions where candidates are vetted and must secure two-thirds delegates’ support to win an endorsement.
National Director Josh McKoon stated “This organization will play a crucial role in assuring the Republican Party in Georgia will remain the Party of bold ideas that seeks to empower the individual to reach for excellence.”

National Director Kay Godwin added, “The Georgia Republican Assembly is an organization for conservative Republicans by conservative Republicans. The Charter members of the GRA have worked tirelessly for over two months to prepare for the launch of what we know will be a fantastic organization for Georgia conservatives. With this announcement, we are prepared to move forward and grow this organization across the State to be a major force in Republican politics in Georgia.”

Charter Members of the Georgia Republican Assembly:

Julianne Thompson – President
Kay Godwin – National Director Post One
Josh McKoon – National Director Post Two
Heather Alvarez – Vice President
Pat Tippett – Secretary
Debbie Whelchel – Treasurer
Jason Thompson
Ralph Hudgens
Suzanne Hudgens
Byron Alvarez
Nickie Summers
Jason Spencer
Terri Green
Shannon Ryle Brown
Linda Gail Dennison
Cameron Harrellson
Robert Irvin
Melaney Spencer
Debbie Dooley
Kathy Hildebrand
Judy Craft
Chip Pearson
U.D. Roberts
Carolyn Garcia
Leo Smith