From Reagan’s legacy to boots-on-the-ground activism, California’s young conservatives are taking charge, proving that the next generation isn’t waiting its turn.
This past weekend, I attended the California Young Republican Federation’s (CYRF) biennial convention at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum in Simi Valley, CA. It was the perfect setting to draw inspiration from the values of individual liberty, economic opportunity, peace through strength, and national pride.
For two days, Young Republicans (known as YRs) from across the state came together for leadership training, networking, keynote speeches, and strategy sessions. Their focus was clear. Advance Ronald Reagan’s legacy and gear up to defeat Proposition 50, the Democrats’ corrupt power grab that overturns the will of California voters.
The convention opened Friday evening with a Welcome Reception featuring a dynamic slate of local and statewide leaders and candidates, including gubernatorial candidate Leo Zacky, a YR member, and Assemblyman David Tangipa of the 8th District, a former Chair of the Central Valley Young Republicans and current YR member.
Tangipa, whose story embodies both the promise and struggle of the California experience, didn’t mince words about Prop 50, saying:
“I’m living the American Dream, but we’re all living through the California nightmare… That’s why I’m dedicating my time to defeating this power grab and sending Sacramento a message.”
Tangipa’s message of resilience, reform, and resistance resonated with the young conservatives, as every word was met with nods and applause.
Saturday morning began with remarks from former California Republican Party (CAGOP) Chair Jessica Millan Patterson, a former Ventura County Young Republican herself. She briefed attendees on the coalition of campaigns fighting Prop 50, including the "No on 50 — Stop Sacramento’s Power Grab" effort led by her and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
According to Patterson, the outlook is promising based on the latest data and polling. As she told the crowd:
“We are set up to win this. We just need to turn out the vote.”
At lunch, young conservatives were treated to two policy panels. The first on Education and School Choice included State Senator Tony Strickland, a Simi Valley native, and focused on empowering parents and educators through choice, transparency, and accountability.
READ MORE: Young Republicans Are Rising: Time to Expand Their Power in L.A.
The second panel focused on the Second Amendment and Public Safety with Strickland and Zacky as panelists, among others. They highlighted the need to defend constitutional rights while confronting California’s rampant crime.
Later in the afternoon, attendees heard from Huntington Beach City Councilman and celebrity chef Andrew Gruel, a frequent Fox News guest who blends entrepreneurship with unapologetic advocacy. Gruel warned that overregulation and political self-interest are crushing small businesses like restaurants and even undermining nutrition programs in public schools.
Next, CAGOP Chair Corrin Rankin took the stage and energized the room with an update on the statewide Republican effort against Prop 50, along with some major news.
“I’ll leave you with this. CAGOP just raised $5 million and every dollar will be spent on defeating Prop 50,” Rankin declared, sending the crowd into cheers.
She also recognized the Stanislaus County Young Republicans, whose grassroots efforts helped flip their county red in 2024 and recently gave Republicans a voter registration edge for the first time in more than a decade.
It was a tangible reminder that real change doesn’t come from speeches or tweets. It comes from organized, disciplined, local work.
The convention concluded Saturday evening with the Chair Emeritus Reception, a celebratory close that honored outgoing CYRF Chair Ariana Assenmacher for her extraordinary leadership.
Under her tenure, the California Young Republicans made more than 3 million voter contacts during the 2024 election cycle and coordinated multiple high-impact Get Out the Vote (GOTV) deployments across the state.
As tributes rolled in, the theme echoing through the night was gratitude for service, and readiness for what’s next.
From the classroom to the office to the campaign trail, California’s young conservatives are no longer just inheritors of a legacy. They are its active stewards, determined to defend freedom, expand opportunity, and restore accountability where others have failed.
The torch Reagan once lit is still burning, and it’s in steady hands. This "now generation" of conservatives isn’t waiting for its turn. They’re leading from the front and fighting for California’s future.
By Sunday morning, as the YRs headed home to prepare for statewide No on Prop 50 field deployments, a phrase that caught fire the night before was on everyone’s lips (and yes, I may have started it 😉):
“Walk, knock, and talk. Because doors win wars.”
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