The Southern Republican Leadership Conference (SRLC) is a political event held in the Southern United States before each presidential election . The event is attended by Republican Party activists , elected officials , and candidates for office. It has featured every major Republican presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan , and is best known for its presidential straw poll , which receives national media attention. In 2011, the event was dubbed the Republican Leadership Conference before restoring its original name for 2012.
56-545: The 2014 Republican Leadership Conference was held in New Orleans, and featured various speakers such as RNC Chairman Reince Priebus , Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty fame, Family Research Council head Tony Perkins , former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, businessman and later President Donald Trump , Louisiana Senator David Vitter , Colonel and former Congressman Allen West, former US Speaker of
112-498: A federal grand jury had issued a subpoena in a criminal investigation into Manchester's nomination, apparently focused on the RNC, McDaniel and RNC co-chair Tommy Hicks , "and possibly members of Congress". The Union-Tribune reported the investigation began in 2020. Republican National Convention The Republican National Convention ( RNC ) is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1856 by
168-454: A fixed amount of pledged at-large delegates. In 2020, American Samoa , Guam , Northern Mariana Islands , and the U.S. Virgin Islands each get six at-large delegates; Puerto Rico receives 20; and Washington, D.C. , gets 16. The Republican Party awards bonus pledged delegates to each jurisdiction based on two main factors (where applicable): whether its electoral college votes went to
224-555: A former U.S. Senator from New Jersey for vice president . The 1864 event , with the American Civil War raging, was branded as the " National Union Convention" since it included Democrats who remained loyal to the Union and nominated Andrew Johnson , who had been elected Governor of Tennessee as a Democrat, for vice president. By 1868 the usual Republican name was restored. The 1912 Republican National Convention saw
280-575: A series of individual state caucuses and primary elections . The size of delegations to the Republican National Convention, for each state, territory, or other political subdivision, are described by Rule 14 of the party's national rules. The party does not use superdelegates as does the Democratic Party, and all delegates are pledged to a candidate in some fashion. The Republican Party's rules leave discretion to
336-585: Is also responsible for organizing and running the Republican National Convention . When a Republican is president, the White House controls the committee. According to Boris Heersink, "political scientists have traditionally described the parties' national committees as inconsequential but impartial service providers." Similar committees exist in every U.S. state and most U.S. counties , although in some states party organization
392-536: Is structured by congressional district , allied campaign organizations being governed by a national committee. Michael Whatley is the current committee chairman. The Democratic Party's counterpart to the RNC is the Democratic National Committee . The 1856 Republican National Convention appointed the first RNC. It consisted of one member from each state and territory to serve for four years. Each national committee since then has followed
448-472: The 1976 Republican National Convention in Kansas City . Ford was in office for only two years before he was challenged by Reagan, who was a fellow Republican. Reagan was on record saying that fellow Republicans should never talk badly about one another, but Reagan's view had since changed, but the power of incumbency was too much for Reagan to overcome. This was the last GOP convention where the outcome of
504-843: The National Press Club . The election for Chairman took place January 14 at the RNC's winter meeting with Reince Priebus winning on the seventh ballot after Steele and Wagner withdrew. Priebus won re-election with near unanimity in the party's 2013 meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina . He was re-elected to a third term in 2015, setting him up to become the longest serving head of the party ever. After winning in November 2016, President-elect Donald Trump designated Priebus as his White House Chief of Staff , to begin upon his taking office in January 2017; David Bossie of Maryland
560-686: The Republican Party in the United States . They are administered by the Republican National Committee . The goal of the Republican National Convention is to officially nominate and confirm a candidate for president and vice president , adopt a comprehensive party platform and unify the party, as well as publicize and launch the fall campaign. Delegates from all fifty U.S. states and from American dependencies and territories, including Puerto Rico and
616-585: The U.S. Senator from Maryland , to pressure his brother, George Beall the U.S. Attorney in Maryland, to shut down the investigation into Agnew. Attorney Beall ignored the pressure. In 2013, the RNC began an outreach campaign towards the American youth and minority voters, after studies showed these groups generally perceived that the Republican Party did not care about their concerns. During
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#1732787689347672-745: The Virgin Islands , attend the convention and cast their votes. Like the Democratic National Convention , the Republican National Convention marks the formal end of the primary election period and the start of the general election season. In 2020, all parties replaced the usual conventions with short online programs. The Republican Party was formally organized on a national basis at a meeting in Lafayette Hall in Pittsburgh on February 22–23, 1856, during which
728-613: The 2006 straw poll. Republican National Committee The Republican National Committee ( RNC ) is the primary committee of the Republican Party of the United States . Its members are chosen by the state delegations at the national convention every four years. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican brand and political platform , as well as assisting in fundraising and election strategy. It does not have direct authority over elected officials. It
784-493: The 2014 straw poll, barely defeating Dr. Ben Carson. Senator Rand Paul came in a distant third, while former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and Texas governor Rick Perry rounded out the top 5. The 2011 event featured various speakers, including Governors, Senators, state legislators, and authors. It was attended by several candidates, and potential candidates, for President of the United States , including Congresswoman Michele Bachmann , businessman Herman Cain , former Speaker of
840-483: The House Newt Gingrich , former Governor Gary Johnson , Congressman Ron Paul , Governor Rick Perry , former Governor Buddy Roemer and former Senator Rick Santorum . Other speakers at the conference included Governors Bobby Jindal and Haley Barbour , and Barack Obama impersonator Reggie Brown . Congressman Ron Paul won the straw poll by a large margin, with Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. , who
896-487: The House Newt Gingrich, Utah Senator Mike Lee , Texas senator Ted Cruz, businessman and former presidential candidate Herman Cain, former Pennsylvania senator and former presidential candidate Rick Santorum, Louisiana Congressman Bill Cassidy , Congresswoman and former presidential candidate Michele Bachmann, and Texas governor and former presidential candidate Rick Perry. Texas senator Ted Cruz narrowly won
952-514: The January 6 Attack on the US Capitol ; the censure statement described the committee as a "Democrat-led persecution of ordinary citizens who engaged in legitimate political discourse." The censure of sitting congressmembers, and particularly the description of the January 6 events as "legitimate political discourse", received bipartisan criticism from politicians and media. In May 2024, The Associated Press reported that under Lara Trump ,
1008-425: The RNC chairmanship with the launching of his website. On January 30, 2009, Steele won the chairmanship of the RNC in the sixth round, with 91 votes to Dawson's 77. Source: CQPolitics , and Poll Pundit. On announcing his candidacy to succeed RNC Chairman Duncan, former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele described the party as being at a crossroads and not knowing what to do. "I think I may have some keys to open
1064-793: The RNC during three disappointing election years. McDaniel was re-elected in to a fourth term in January 2023, easily defeating Lindell and California RNC committeewoman Harmeet Dhillon . Candidate won majority of votes in the round On February 6, 2024, The New York Times reported that McDaniel intended to resign after the South Carolina Republican presidential primary held on February 24, 2024, following dissatisfaction from former president Donald Trump , who publicly supported North Carolina Republican Party chair Michael Whatley . McDaniel confirmed these reports when, on February 26, 2024, she and Drew McKissick announced their resignations as chair and co-chair of
1120-583: The RNC effective on March 8, 2024. Later that same day, Michael Whatley, chair of the North Carolina Republican Party , announced that he would seek the position of RNC chair. Lara Trump , daughter-in-law of former president Donald Trump , also announced on February 28 that she would seek to succeed McKissick as co-chair of the RNC. Both Whatley and Trump gained the endorsement of former President Trump. Whatley and Trump were both elected via acclamation as chair and vice-chair of
1176-485: The RNC exist in each U.S. state and most U.S. counties. The RNC also organizes volunteer groups for specific interests, such as the Black Republican Activists, GOP Hispanics, RNC Women (not to be confused with National Federation of Republican Women ), GOP Faith, Asian Pacific Americans, Young Leaders, and Veterans & Military Families. On November 24, 2008, Steele launched his campaign for
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#17327876893471232-421: The RNC had "sought alliances with election deniers, conspiracy theorists and alt-right advocates the party had previously kept at arm's length." It also noted the prevalence of election deniers had increased among top Republican officeholders and RNC officials as part of a larger election denial movement in the United States . The Republican National Committee's main function is to assist the Republican Party of
1288-426: The RNC has 168 members. While a number of the chairs of the RNC have been state governors, the only person to have chaired the RNC and later become U.S. president is George H. W. Bush . During Bush's time as RNC chair, Spiro Agnew was being investigated for corruption, which would later lead to Agnew's resignation as vice president. Bush assisted, at the request of Nixon and Agnew, in getting John Glenn Beall Jr. ,
1344-609: The RNC was first headed by Azarias Reda, an engineer with a PhD in computer science from the University of Michigan . The effort is designed to help the party and its candidates bridge the technology gap. Para Bellum , translated from Latin, means "prepare for war." In September 2019, McDaniel emailed Doug Manchester , whose nomination to become Ambassador to the Bahamas was stalled in the Senate, asking for $ 500,000 in donations to
1400-543: The Republican National Committee on March 8, 2024. A collapsible list of the voting members of the Republican National Committee follows, as of March 2024 . The state chair, national committeeman and national committeewoman each receive one vote at RNC meetings and vote for RNC Chairmanship. In February 2014, during the chairmanship of Reince Priebus , the RNC launched an in-house technology incubator called Para Bellum Labs. This new unit of
1456-681: The Republican Party. Two days after the January 6th riot at the Capitol following the controversial 2020 presidential election results, the RNC held an event where members expressed loyalty to the President. In February 2022, the RNC censured two Republican representatives, Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, for their participation in the United States House Select Committee to Investigate
1512-573: The Republican Party. Manchester responded, noting that his wife had given $ 100,000 and that his family would "respond" once he was confirmed by the Republican-led Senate to the ambassadorship. Manchester copied the email to aides of two U.S. senators whose support he needed to win confirmation. CBS News described McDaniel's action as a "possible pay-for-play scheme" for the ambassadorship. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported in May 2021 that
1568-415: The Republican candidate in the last presidential election, and on how well the state party has done in electing Republicans to state and congressional elections. The bonus delegates thus reward states that vote for Republican candidates and punish those which do not. As examples, for the 2020 Convention using California and Texas (the two most populous states, California being a Democrat stronghold and Texas
1624-554: The United States. It helps to promote the Republican political platform and the "party brand" or image. It is more focused on campaign and organizational strategy than public policy . It helps coordinate fundraising and election strategy, as well as organizing and running the Republican National Convention . According to Jim Nicholson, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee: “The party can’t coordinate with these Super PACs and neither can
1680-403: The announcement of the standings, Duncan dropped out of contention without endorsing a candidate. Ken Blackwell, the only other African-American candidate, dropped out after the fourth ballot and endorsed Steele, though Blackwell had been the most socially conservative of the candidates and Steele had been accused of not being "sufficiently conservative." Steele picked up Blackwell's votes. After
1736-605: The business-oriented faction supporting William Howard Taft turn back a challenge from former President Theodore Roosevelt , who boasted broader popular support and even won a primary in Taft's home state of Ohio . Roosevelt would run on the Progressive Party ticket, splitting the Republicans and thereby handing the election to Democrat Woodrow Wilson . The 1924 Republican National Convention made history by being
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1792-406: The campaigns so there’s a lot more chaos . . . .And the party structure clearly has a diminished role because they don’t have the resources they used to have.” Since March 8, 2024, the Republican National Committee has been co-chaired by Lara Trump and Michael Whatley . The previous chair of the Republican National Committee was Ronna McDaniel , serving from 2017 to 2024. McDaniel
1848-623: The convention would be moved to Jacksonville, Florida , but subsequently cancelled the Jacksonville convention plans amidst COVID-19 pandemic concerns and complications on July 23. The convention proceedings were then held remotely from various locations, with the final day taking place on the South Lawn of the White House . The party's presidential nominee is chosen primarily by pledged delegates, which are in turn selected through
1904-484: The delegates on the second day of the convention. On the third, Alf Landon of Kansas (who did not attend) was nominated for president; Colonel Frank Knox was nominated as the vice presidential candidate. Landon and Knox were defeated in a landslide by Franklin D. Roosevelt and John Nance Garner . Knox subsequently served as Secretary of the Navy in the administration of Roosevelt. The 1940 Republican National Convention
1960-453: The delegates. Also in 1972, the placing of " favorite son " candidates' names into nomination was banned, requiring at least five states' requests to do so. In recent years, only one candidate's name has been put into nomination, and challengers have been put under intense pressure to withdraw in order for the vote to be unanimous. An exception was when former California Governor Ronald Reagan nearly toppled incumbent President Gerald Ford at
2016-467: The door, some juice to turn on the lights," he said. Six people ran for the 2009 RNC Chairmanship: Steele, Ken Blackwell , Mike Duncan , Saul Anuzis , Katon Dawson and Chip Saltsman . After Saltsman's withdrawal, there were only five candidates during the hotly contested balloting January 30, 2009. After the third round of balloting that day, Steele held a small lead over incumbent Mike Duncan of Kentucky , with 51 votes to Duncan's 44. Shortly after
2072-426: The fifth round, Steele held a ten-vote lead over Katon Dawson, with 79 votes, and Saul Anuzis dropped out. After the sixth vote, he won the chairmanship of the RNC over Dawson by a vote of 91 to 77. Mississippi Governor and former RNC chair Haley Barbour has suggested the party will focus its efforts on congressional and gubernatorial elections in the coming years rather than the next presidential election. "When I
2128-459: The first Republican National Committee was elected. The first Republican National Convention was the 1856 Republican National Convention , held from June 17 to 19, 1856, at Musical Fund Hall at 808 Locust Street in Philadelphia . At the 1856 Republican National Convention, the party nominated John C. Frémont , a U.S. Senator from California for president and William L. Dayton ,
2184-643: The first GOP convention to give women equal representation. This was the first time the Republican Convention was held in Cleveland, Ohio. It was also the first time any convention was broadcast over radio – to nine cities through a special link over long-distance telephone lines. The Republican National Committee approved a rule providing for a national committee-man and a national committee-woman from each state. Incumbent President Calvin Coolidge
2240-571: The last Republican National Convention to be held in a convention center complex; all others since then have been held at sports stadiums or arenas. The Republican Party chose Cleveland again as the site for the 2016 Republican National Convention . The convention was held in Quicken Loans Arena , home of the Cleveland Cavaliers . There may have been political considerations in the selection, since no Republican has won
2296-571: The moderate nominee and then-incumbent President George H. W. Bush . Division in the party was evident too at the 1996 Republican National Convention , at which more moderate party members such as California governor Pete Wilson and Massachusetts governor William Weld unsuccessfully sought to remove the Human Life Amendment plank from the party platform. The event at the San Diego Convention Center remains
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2352-428: The national convention. Since 2012, the number of pledged delegates initially allocated to each of the 50 U.S. states is: Ten at-large delegates, plus three district delegates for each of the state's congressional districts. As each state has at least one congressional district, the minimum number of delegates from this allocation for any state is 13. Jurisdictions with non-voting congressmembers are instead given
2408-693: The next year and particularly in 2010," Barbour said at the November 2008 Republican Governors conference. Michael Steele ran for re-election at the 2011 RNC winter meeting. Other candidates were Reince Priebus , Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman, Ann Wagner , former Ambassador to Luxembourg, Saul Anuzis , former Republican Party Chairman of Michigan, and Maria Cino , former acting Secretary of Transportation under George W. Bush . Steele's critics increasingly called on him to step down as RNC Chair when his term ended in 2011. A debate for Chairman hosted by Americans for Tax Reform took place on January 3 at
2464-502: The nomination was in doubt. After the Republican National Convention, the pressure was on Ford to cut away the factionalism in his Republican Party. Pat Buchanan delivered a speech enthusiastically endorsing the conservative side of the culture war in American society at the 1992 Republican National Convention in Houston . It was widely criticized for supposedly alienating liberal and moderate voters who might otherwise have voted for
2520-423: The nomination, easily turning away Pennsylvania governor William Scranton and others more favorable to the party establishment. At the 1972 Republican National Convention , Pat Nixon became the first First Lady since Eleanor Roosevelt and the first Republican First Lady to deliver an address to the convention delegates. It is now common practice for the presidential candidate's spouse to deliver an address to
2576-560: The precedent of equal representation for each state or territory, regardless of population. From 1924 to 1952, there was a national committeeman and national committeewoman from each state and U.S. possession, and from Washington, D.C. In 1952, committee membership was expanded to include the state party chairs of states that voted Republican in the preceding presidential election, have a Republican majority in their congressional delegation (U.S. representatives and senators), or have Republican governors. By 1968, membership reached 145. As of 2011,
2632-546: The presidency of Donald Trump, the RNC showed staunch loyalty to President Trump, even at times when prominent Republicans did not. Under Ronna McDaniel 's leadership, the RNC ran ads for Trump's 2020 campaign as early as 2018, put numerous Trump campaign workers and affiliates on the RNC payroll, spent considerable funds at Trump-owned properties, covered his legal fees in the Russian interference investigation, hosted Trump's Fake News Awards , and criticized Trump critics within
2688-557: The presidency without winning Ohio since Abraham Lincoln in the 1860 election . Cuyahoga County has voted 19 times for Republicans and 21 times for the Democratic candidate since 1856. However, the Democrats had carried the county for the past 40 years. The party chose Charlotte, North Carolina as the location for its 2020 Republican National Convention , but pulled out at the last minute. President Donald Trump announced
2744-424: The presidential straw poll by a single vote. Both Romney and Ron Paul received 24 per cent of the vote. Potential 2012 presidential candidates Senator John Thune of South Dakota , Governor Haley Barbour of Mississippi , Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and Governor Rick Perry of Texas asked for their names not to be included on the straw poll ballot. Then- Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist won
2800-628: The states in choosing how to award their respective pledged delegates to the candidates. Some states may use a statewide winner-take-all method, where the primary candidate who receives the most popular votes in a state gets all of its pledged delegates. Other states may use a proportional representation system, where the pledged delegates are instead distributed to the candidates in proportion to its votes. Three leaders of each state, territory, and Washington D.C.'s Republican Party (its national committeeman, its national committeewoman and its chairperson) are automatically nominated as pledged delegates to
2856-575: Was chair of the Michigan Republican Party from 2015 to 2017. In January 2019, Thomas O. Hicks Jr. was elected co-chairman of the RNC. Hicks has a strong connection to former President Trump's campaigns and policy initiatives, having served as chairman of the America First Action PAC and America First Policies , and as national finance co-chairman for Donald J. Trump for President . Similar committees to
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#17327876893472912-403: Was chairman of the Republican National Committee the last time we lost the White House in 1992 we focused exclusively on 1993 and 1994. And at the end of that time, we had both houses of Congress with Republican majorities, and we'd gone from 17 Republican governors to 31. So anyone talking about 2012 today doesn't have their eye on the ball. What we ought to worry about is rebuilding our party over
2968-415: Was formally nominated and went on to win the general election. The convention nominated Illinois Governor Frank Lowden for vice president on the second ballot, but he declined the nomination. This is the only time a nominee refused to accept a vice presidential nomination. The Republicans returned to the city in 1936 in the cavernous Cleveland Public Auditorium . Former President Herbert Hoover addressed
3024-433: Was scheduled to speak at the event but cancelled, placing second. Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and businessman Herman Cain placed in a close third and fourth. The 2010 convention was attended by U.S. Representative and 2008 presidential candidate Ron Paul of Texas ; Republican National Committee Chair Michael Steele ; and former Alaska Governor and 2008 vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin . Mitt Romney won
3080-427: Was seen as a potential next RNC chairman. Trump then recommended Ronna Romney McDaniel as RNC Chairwoman and she was elected to that role by the RNC in January 2017. McDaniel was re-elected in 2019 and 2021. Mike Lindell announced that he would challenge McDaniel in 2023. Lindell accused McDaniel of not denying the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election forcefully enough, and criticized her for presiding over
3136-730: Was the first national convention of any party broadcast on live television . It was carried by an early version of the NBC Television Network and consisted of flagship W2XBS (now WNBC ) in New York City , W3XE (now KYW-TV ) in Philadelphia and W2XB (now WRGB ) in Schenectady and Albany . The growing importance of primaries became evident at the 1964 Republican National Convention in San Francisco , where U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater from Arizona won
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