This past Monday, I attended the San Diego County Republican Central Committee meeting. As someone who has spent years working in politics—both in congressional offices and on the ground with grassroots organizations—I have seen firsthand how party politics can shape the future of our movement. What I witnessed at this meeting compels me to speak out and offer my perspective. To be clear, these views are my own and do not reflect those of any Central Committee member.
A Look Back: How We Got Here
For 14 years, the San Diego GOP was under the leadership of Tony Krvaric. When he stepped down in 2020, the role of Chair was filled by Paula Whitsell, then serving as 2nd Vice Chair. The transition seemed smooth—until the 2024 election cycle, when the party descended into chaos.
One of the major turning points was the East County Assembly race to replace the termed-out Assemblywoman Marie Waldron. At the 2023 Lincoln Club Christmas Party, two Republican candidates emerged: Andrew Hayes, a well-respected public servant who had worked under Joel Anderson and Brian Jones, and Jack Fernandez, a lesser-known newcomer. The San Diego GOP ultimately endorsed Hayes—an excellent choice, in my opinion, as I had the opportunity to work with him extensively during my time in Congressman Hunter’s office.
Then, on the very last day of filing, Carl DeMaio entered the race. Suddenly, what should have been a solid Republican seat became a battleground, with three GOP candidates splitting the vote and one Democrat poised to benefit. Hayes and DeMaio advanced to the general election, but the real controversy was only beginning.
At some point during the general election cycle, an effort emerged within the party to revoke Hayes’ endorsement—a move that not only violated historical precedent but also threw the party into internal disarray. (You can read more on the issue here.) The idea of stripping an endorsed candidate simply because another Republican in the race wielded more influence was both unprecedented and troubling. What followed was a series of backroom negotiations that ultimately resulted in Paula Whitsell stepping down as Chair, Corey Gustafson being installed as her replacement, and Hayes keeping his endorsement—but with an unprecedented caveat. He would receive zero financial support from the party. Even more appalling, his name was removed from the official endorsement guide on the grounds that such a listing constituted a “monetary benefit.” In my opinion, this was nothing short of an embarrassment for the party and a blatant disregard for fair process.
I wont get into the weeds on this issue but it only highlighted the lack of leadership and ability to follow our bylaws from the beginning.
And as we now know, Carl DeMaio won the race. In December, Paula was re-elected as Chair.
The Bylaws Debacle: Undermining Transparency
Since Paula’s return, the party assembled a committee to rewrite its bylaws—a necessary but delicate process that should have prioritized transparency and fairness. That brings us to this past Monday’s Central Committee meeting.
During the presentation and vote on the proposed bylaws, 2nd Vice Chair Kristie Bruce-Lane introduced an amendment from the floor—one that, in the event of the Chair stepping down or being removed, would eliminate the need for a special election and instead automatically install the 1st Vice Chair as the new leader.
Excuse me?! Are we still the Republican Party, or did I mistakenly walk into the San Diego County Democratic Party’s meeting? Since when do Republicans bypass elections and install leaders through procedural maneuvers? This amendment bears an uncomfortable resemblance to the way Democrats positioned Kamala Harris into power, and it directly contradicts the principles of transparency and fair elections that conservatives have always championed.
And yet, despite these concerns, the amendment passed—by a single vote. 20 to 19.
To those who voted in favor—thank you for revealing your true colors (which, from where I stand, are looking more blue than red). To those who left early or abstained from voting—shame on you. When accountability is on the line, silence is complicity.
Leadership and Accountability: A Call for Change
There are several critical issues within our party that have stood out in the last two years. Leadership must be held accountable to the party and its constituents. Without accountability, we risk losing what makes us the party of the people. This means we must follow our bylaws and adhere to transparent, fair processes to avoid future chaos. Leadership should not be based on backroom deals or manipulation but on the principles that we all stand for.
Where Do We Go From Here?
As a 35-year-old Republican woman with far less years of experience in politics than many of those in that room, I can say with absolute certainty: This is not what our party stands for. This is not how we win elections. And this is exactly why we continue to lose ground in San Diego and across California.
If we are to rebuild and strengthen the Republican Party in San Diego, we must return to our core values—transparency, fairness, and integrity. Decisions should not be made behind closed doors. Elections should not be undermined by backroom deals. If we do not demand accountability now, then we have no one to blame but ourselves for the party’s decline.
The fight for the soul of the Republican Party is happening right now. The question is: Will we uphold the principles that define us, or will we allow the establishment to transform us into something unrecognizable?
Wow! Thank you for your insight!