California Republican Conference: Colleen Frank appointed as the new chairperson

Corrin Rankin was elected as the new chair of the California Republican Party (CAGOP) at the CAGOP convention held in Sacramento from March 14 to 16. John Park was elected as Vice Chair, Jack Guerrero as Treasurer, and Sayrs Morris as Secretary.

“As chair, I will ensure that the California Republican Party continues its momentum and prepares for continued success. By focusing on the party’s timeless principles – freedom, opportunity, and responsibility, we will inspire voters, empower candidates, and achieve meaningful victories statewide,” Rankin said on her website. She added, “Under Republican leadership, we will collectively ensure a brighter future for California. As we take this crucial step forward, I humbly ask for your support.”

Rankin is the first African American woman to serve as chair of the California Republican Party. In 2016, she served as an on-site delegate and whip for the Republican National Convention. As the National Director of the African American Support for Trump Alliance, she played a key role in expanding and mobilizing voters. In 2024, she continued to serve as a delegate, helping spread Trump’s message and return to the White House.

According to Fox News, Rankin stated that the Republican Party has been revitalized by Trump and is aligned with the president’s national agenda. “In the past 10 years, I have been involved in every presidential campaign and have had a good relationship with the Trump administration… We want to invite Trump to California and hope to see him here as much as possible.”

In the 2024 election, although Kamala Harris won 58.5% of the vote in her home state of California, mainly in populous coastal counties, Trump received 38.3% of the vote. However, he won 31 out of the 58 counties in California, including 10 counties that had supported Biden in the 2020 election. Rankin stated that California is undergoing a “fundamental shift,” with more voters moving from the far left towards the center. She believes that the economy and public safety will be the two main focuses for the future development of the California Republican Party, given that California has the highest personal income tax and business tax in the country. Last year’s Proposition 36, which passed overwhelmingly (68.4%), showed strong voter support for tougher measures against criminals.

“Change is coming to California, it’s time to end the Democratic one-party rule and make California great again,” Rankin declared in her victory speech. She announced, “The 2026 election cycle begins now.” She called on Republicans to “knock every door, make every call, send every text, spend every dollar to win campaigns” and urged Republicans to “launch offensives in every corner of California at the grassroots level to win more seats.”

When asked about party divisions by a reporter from English Epoch Times’ “California Insider,” Rankin stated, “We don’t have to agree on every issue, but we do agree on electing more Republican lawmakers, and that’s what we will focus on.”

Former chair Jessica Patterson told Epoch Times, “When I first became chair, the California Republican Party was in a dark period, we had lost half of our congressional seats.” “Six years later, we are once again the second-largest party in California, and since February 2019, over a million new voters have registered as Republicans.”

Vice Chair-elect John Park is a Korean American who immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of eight. A graduate of George Mason University, Park previously served as the student body president. A successful entrepreneur, he founded a company worth millions of dollars. He has been involved in public service, serving as Chair of the Irvine Finance Commission and Transportation Commissioner, as well as Chair of the local Rotary Foundation and board member of nonprofit organizations. Park previously served as the First Vice Chair of the Orange County Central Committee and founded grassroots organizations in Irvine.

New Treasurer Jack Guerrero, who grew up in a Mexican immigrant family, entered university at the age of 15 and holds degrees from Harvard and Stanford. He has worked for Fortune 500 companies in the United States and Europe. Guerrero has also served as mayor and city council member in his hometown and ran for California State Treasurer. On his website, Guerrero stated that now is the best time for the California Republican Party; inspired by the Department of Government Efficiency, he ran for Treasurer to bring his private sector experience and discipline in public service to the party, focusing on internal financial controls, regular reporting, facilitating fund movement, strict policies and procedures to reduce abuse and waste.

Secretary Sayrs Morris previously served as the Chair of the Imperial County Republican Central Committee. In last year’s election, Imperial County turned “red” for the first time, with Trump receiving 49.1% of the vote, leading Harris with 48.3%. Jeff Gonzalez also won the 36th District State Assembly seat for Republicans with 51.8% of the votes.