High School Republican National Federation

{{Infobox political youth organization|name=High School Republicans|colorcode=#FF0000|logo=hsrepslogo.png|communications director=Kiran Bhatia (MA)|development director=Carden Truong (TX)|national chairman=Yosef Herrera (TX)|national co-chairman=Braden Lacefield (KY)|national secretary=Caden Schafer-Rose (WI)|Northeast Vice Chair=Nick Stilianessis|South Vice Chair=Vacant|Executive Director=Michael Bicksel (VA)|executive director=Michael Bicksel (VA)|political director=Om Sharma (VA)|founded={{Start date and age|2022|04|09}}|split from=Teenage Republicans|ideology = {{plainlist|

Conservatism

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magazine= Conservateen https://highschoolrepublicans.com/conservateen |

website=[https://www.highschoolrepublicans.com/ www.highschoolrepublicans.com]}}{{Short description|American high school conservative group}}The High School Republican National Federation, commonly referred to as the High School Republicans or HSReps, is a 501(c)(4) organization and student-led organization that seeks to mobilize young people and elect Republicans. HSReps members across the country engage in political activity and work on political campaigns.

History

The High School Republican National Federation was established as a student-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, each of which was an existing auxiliary of its respective state party.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-23 |title=Younger Republicans More Likely to Favor Gun Laws Than Older Ones |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/younger-republicans-more-likely-to-favor-gun-laws-than-older-ones/7237504.html |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=VOA |language=en}} 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 certain HSReps chapters are styled as 'Teen Republicans,' some still operate under the National Federation.{{Cite news |last1=Russell |first1=Jenna |last2=Fortin |first2=Jacey |last3=Ford |first3=Beverly |last4=Cataneo |first4=Emily |date=2023-06-29 |title=Ruling Raises Uncertainty for High School Students Heading to College |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/29/us/politics/affirmative-action-students.html |access-date=2023-08-01 |issn=0362-4331}}

Organization

The High School Republican National Federation has state and local chapters nationwide. The largest chapter is in Texas with over 1,000 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 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, held voter registration drives, and helped to elect Republicans in their communities.{{Cite news |last1=Sanderford |first1=Aaron |date=2022-11-10 |title=High School Republicans, union support helped power Bacon's win |url=https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/11/10/high-school-republicans-union-support-helped-power-bacons-win/ |access-date=2023-08-01 |newspaper=Nebraska Examiner |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |author=Ernest Luning |date=2022-08-29 |title=Q&A with James Ruehmann {{!}} Founder of state, national GOP groups works to involve kids in politics |url=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/q-and-a/q-a-with-james-ruehmann-founder-of-state-national-gop-groups-works-to-involve-kids/article_0f47ec56-2412-11ed-8250-17c40c9a8e79.html |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=Colorado Politics |language=en}}

Involvement

During election season, High School Republicans utilize door-to-door canvassing, phone banking, and word of mouth to reach voters on behalf of Republican campaigns.{{Cite web |last=Contributed |date=2021-07-08 |title=Walker Countian is rising teen Republican star |url=https://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/catoosa_walker_news/walker-countian-is-rising-teen-republican-star/image_08d13386-e008-11eb-a9d5-e3ab4f1f8dbe.html |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=Northwest Georgia News |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-03-01 |title=HIGH SCHOOL REPUBLICANS HOLD SUCCESSFUL KICK-OFF EVENT WITH TOP STATE REPUBLICANS |url=https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/high-school-republicans-hold-successful-kick-off-event-with-top-state-republicans/ |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=Insider NJ |language=en-US}} These students have assisted on several campaigns, including those for Congressman Don Bacon, Heidi Ganahl, and several others.

High School Republicans also engage in legislative activism in their state chapters. In December 2023, New Jersey High School Republicans members testified in Trenton, New Jersey, to support the Involve Our Youth Act, a bill to give high school students excused absences for engaging in civic activities.{{Cite web |last=Fox |first=Joey |date=2022-03-10 |title=Assembly bill would let students skip one day of school for civic engagement |url=https://newjerseyglobe.com/education/assembly-bill-would-let-students-skip-one-day-of-school-for-civic-engagement/ |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=New Jersey Globe |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Fromberg |first=Samuel |date=July 21, 2022 |title=BRHS Rising Senior Lobbies for Legislation to Increase Civic Engagement Opportunities for Students |url=https://www.tapinto.net/towns/bridgewater-slash-raritan/articles/brhs-rising-senior-lobbies-for-legislation-to-increase-civic-engagement-opportunities-for-students |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=TAP into}} They partnered with the New Jersey High School Democrats to get the bill passed.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-19 |title=HIGH SCHOOLERS LOBBY IN TRENTON FOR YOUTH CIVIC ENGAGEMENT BILL |url=https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/high-schoolers-lobby-in-trenton-for-youth-civic-engagement-bill/ |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=Insider NJ |language=en-US}}