The Republican Party Structure

The Republican Party, with its stated conservative values, began with activists at its core. Members of the early political groups, including the Democrats and Whigs, formed the Republican Party to combat the spread of slavery. As a result, the party platform developed over decades to promote freedom for all individuals.

The structure of the Republican Party seeks to promote the party values and to strengthen the party's political influence.

Republican Party: The Republican National Committee

The Republican National Committee, or RNC, is at the top of the party structure. Representatives from all states and territories comprise the RNC. Within the RNC, there is a general chairman. The RNC also has a chairman and a co-chairman to oversee the RNC.

The Republican National Committee supervises many Party functions, including:

• campaign strategy development
• fundraising
• political platform development and promotion
• Republican National Convention organization.

Other groups support fundraising and campaign efforts at the national level. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) is a strategic component in the House. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) maintains influence in the Senate. These committees also promote candidates at the state level.

Republican Party Grassroots Organizations

The Republican Party also enjoys the support of many grassroots organizations:

• The College Republican National Committee (CRNC) is a youth-oriented organization intent on supporting the Republican initiative and recruiting leadership for the future.
• Founded in 1938, the National Federation of Republican Women (NFR) is a cohesive force for Republican women of all ages. Through the work of local clubs, advocates promote the Republican Party platform and values while engaging in education and recruiting.
• The Young Republicans National Federation (YR) supports a conservative agenda at national, state and local levels.

State and Local Level Republican Party Structure

The RepublicanParty structure is well-evolved at state and local levels with membership comprised of voters and delegates. These groups maintain many of the same practices as the RNC, although each operates independently, holding conventions and organizing polling efforts.

In non-federal election years, precincts, districts or states host conventions while national meetings convene during presidential election years. In counties and precincts, members are proactive in electing officials for all Republican offices. Practices vary from state to state.

Republican Party State and Local Groups

Several well-organized groups operate at state and local levels to support the Republican Party agenda:

• FreedomWorks is a Republican organization that fights for reduced government involvement and lower taxes.
• GOPAC is an organization that is "preparing a new generation of republicans to lead America." The group is dedicated to achieving a Republican majority at all levels through training and education.
• The Republican Governors Association (RGA) is a group that promotes Republican Party issues at local and state levels. The RGA also seeks to show a united front for candidates and incumbents.

A host of other coalitions exist in support of the Republican Party.