SAN DIEGO REPUBLICAN

Is the San Diego GOP Leadership Fulfilling Its Mission? Let’s Ask the Tough Questions

The 2024 election was considered by many voters—Republican, Democratic, Independents, Libertarian, and other political parties alike—to be one of the most critical in their lifetime. Yet, despite a historic victory with Republicans winning both the popular vote and the Electoral College, the United States Senate and House of Representatives majority, our San Diego GOP leadership’s lack of visible support has left many party members and candidates questioning its priorities.

Where are the photos and videos showcasing our Republican President-elect Donald J. Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance? Why hasn’t our local San Diego GOP leadership done more to highlight this success and strengthen the party’s visibility to increase membership? These concerns are only the tip of the iceberg.

More alarmingly, Republican candidates running against incumbent Democratic opponents—whether for local school board positions or state assembly races—have shared their frustrations about the San Diego GOP’s repeated refusal to provide assistance before and during the 2024 campaign. This lack of support flies directly in the face of the party’s own mission, as outlined in its bylaws.

Article 1, Section 1.02 of the San Diego GOP Bylaws states: “The Committee’s mission is to support the election of Republican candidates to office.”

If this is the mission, why are candidates repeatedly left to fend for themselves? Why are Republican candidates, who should be the focus of the party’s efforts, expressing frustration at being ignored? If the leadership is not fulfilling this fundamental purpose, it’s time for Republican voters to demand answers.

Leadership Accountability: Failing the Party’s Mission

The San Diego GOP leadership’s inaction isn’t just disappointing—it’s a violation of its stated mission. From local school board elections to state-level campaigns, Republican candidates have repeatedly been denied the resources and support they need to succeed. This isn’t just a matter of poor planning; it’s a systemic failure that leaves many asking whether this neglect is due to incompetence or something more deliberate.

In such a pivotal election year, why did the San Diego GOP fail to fulfill its core responsibility of supporting Republican candidates? Why was there no coordinated effort to help challengers running against entrenched Democratic incumbents? If leadership cannot or will not uphold the bylaws of the party, how can we expect them to lead us to future victories?

Are We Being Undermined?

Some Republican members and candidates are beginning to wonder if the San Diego GOP leadership is actively undermining the party’s chances. Could this lack of support be intentional, favoring certain factions within the GOP while ignoring the broader needs of the party? Or is it a case of disorganization and neglect?

Regardless of the cause, the result is the same: Republican candidates are being left without the backing they need to succeed. This failure weakens the party, emboldens Democratic opponents, and leaves Republican voters frustrated and disenfranchised.

Transparency and Accountability Are Non-Negotiable

As Republicans, we have every right to demand transparency from our leadership. If the San Diego GOP leadership is choosing not to support candidates in violation of its stated mission, we deserve to know why. If they are simply incapable of fulfilling their duties, then it’s time for accountability and change.

This isn’t about pointing fingers—it’s about ensuring that the Republican Party can thrive. Without strong, transparent leadership, we cannot expect to win elections or advance our values.

Take Action: Demand Better Leadership

Article 1, Section 1.02 of the San Diego GOP bylaws is clear: The party’s mission is to support the election of Republican candidates. If our leadership isn’t fulfilling that mission, it’s up to us—party members, voters, and supporters—to step in and demand better.

Speak up. Ask the hard questions. Why are Republican candidates consistently left without support? Why isn’t the San Diego GOP prioritizing the election of Republican candidates at every level? And, most importantly, how can we ensure this never happens again?

Together, We Can Build a Stronger Future

The stakes are too high for the San Diego GOP to continue down this path of inaction and neglect. Republican candidates deserve the resources, visibility, and support promised by the party’s bylaws. If you believe, as we do, that the GOP can and must do better, now is the time to act.

Demand transparency. Hold leadership accountable. And work with us to ensure that every Republican candidate—whether running for local office or statewide positions—has the backing they need to win.

The future of the San Diego GOP, and the Republican Party as a whole, depends on your voice. Let’s ensure that leadership fulfills its mission, supports our candidates, and secures a brighter future for all Republicans.

Time for Change or More of the Same?

Republican voters and donors, the questions we face today are critical to the future of the San Diego GOP and our ability to secure victories for Republican candidates. With elections for a new San Diego GOP chairperson potentially happening this December or January, we must reflect on the leadership’s track record.

If the San Diego GOP leadership continues to fall short of its mission—whether through neglect, incompetence, or intentional undermining of candidates—should we allow them to continue business as usual? Can we afford another election cycle of frustration, lost opportunities, and unfulfilled promises?

The stakes are too high to settle for the status quo. This is our chance to demand better leadership, transparency, and accountability. Let’s ensure the next chairperson is committed to the mission outlined in the bylaws: to support the election of Republican candidates to office. It’s time to rebuild trust, reinvigorate the party, and prioritize the needs of Republican voters and candidates.

Ask yourself: Are you ready to let the San Diego GOP continue down its current path, or will you stand for change? The choice is ours, and the time to act is now.

Questions

Here’s a series of critical questions Republican voters and donors should be asking about our San Diego GOP’s leadership and direction:

About Leadership Accountability

  1. Why has the San Diego GOP failed to visibly celebrate and promote the 2024 Republican presidential and vice-presidential victories?
  2. In October, the SanDiegoRepublican.com informed via email our San Diego GOP leadership, Chaiman Corey Gustafson, Executive Director Jerry Sirotnak, and others, about concerns raised about a Republican candidate named Justin Lee with proven Democratic Party connections to Act Blue, Asian Democrats of Los Angeles County, and more. No follow-up responses ever came to help warn fellow Republican voters and donors. Given these ongoing issues, Republican voters and donors must ask themselves: Are the San Diego GOP leadership and financial practices transparent enough to ensure that donor contributions are being used responsibly and as intended, or could a lack of accountability expose the party to potential legal claims of fraud, misrepresentation, or misuse of funds?
  3. Are the San Diego GOP’s actions (or lack thereof) in line with Article 1, Section 1.02 of their bylaws, which states, “The Committee’s mission is to support the election of Republican candidates to office”?
  4. What steps has the current leadership taken to ensure Republican candidates receive the resources and support they need, particularly in challenging races against entrenched Democratic incumbents?

About Candidate Support

  1. Why have so many Republican candidates expressed frustration over the lack of assistance from the San Diego GOP before and during the 2024 campaign?
  2. What specific resources (financial, organizational, or logistical) has the San Diego GOP provided to local candidates for school board, city council, and state assembly races?
  3. Why did the San Diego GOP leadership fail to prioritize Republican candidates running in critical races, leaving them without necessary support to compete effectively?

About Transparency and Intentions

  1. Are the failures to support Republican candidates the result of incompetence, lack of coordination, or deliberate undermining of their campaigns?
  2. Is there evidence of favoritism or bias within the San Diego GOP leadership, benefiting certain factions at the expense of party unity and candidate success?
  3. What mechanisms are in place to hold the current leadership accountable for failing to fulfill the committee’s mission as stated in its bylaws?

About Future Leadership

  1. With elections for a new San Diego GOP chairperson potentially happening in December or January, what qualifications and priorities should we demand from the next chairperson?
  2. What changes must be implemented to ensure the San Diego GOP consistently supports Republican candidates at every level, from local school boards to state offices?
  3. How can voters and donors ensure that the San Diego GOP leadership is more transparent, effective, and aligned with the party’s goals moving forward?

About Moving Forward

  1. If the San Diego GOP leadership cannot demonstrate how it will improve its efforts to support Republican candidates, is it time for a complete change in leadership?
  2. Should Republican voters and donors allow the San Diego GOP to continue business as usual, or is it time to demand reforms to prevent further undermining of Republican candidates and voters?
  3. What role can individual voters and donors play in holding the San Diego GOP accountable and ensuring it aligns with its stated mission and Republican values?

These questions aren’t just about identifying problems—they’re about demanding answers, creating accountability, and paving the way for stronger leadership and a brighter future for the Republican Party in San Diego.


Comments

4 responses to “Is the San Diego GOP Leadership Fulfilling Its Mission? Let’s Ask the Tough Questions”

  1. This is very interesting. It is a very important article because we need to know what the leadership is doing to help the party.

    1. Thank you for your comment, James. Now, more than ever, we must all ask tough questions about the direction and priorities of our local GOP leadership.

      At San Diego Republican, we are uncovering increasingly concerning information regarding how our San Diego GOP allocates its resources.

      For instance, during the 2024 election cycle, the San Diego GOP has directed funds to candidates outside of both San Diego County and the state of California, rather than prioritizing local Republican candidates. Examples include support for April Verlato, a congressional candidate in District 28 near Los Angeles; Stephanie Phillips, a U.S. Senate candidate in Nevada; and Jameson Ellis, a congressional candidate in Texas.

      Meanwhile, 51st Congressional District candidate and current El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells received $22,500 from the San Diego GOP in 15 payments between February 2, 2023, and March 31, 2024. However, Federal Election Commission (FEC) records for 2024 do not indicate that he has donated these funds back to the San Diego Republican Party.

      Similarly, candidates such as Bill Wells, Jameson Ellis and Stephanie Phillips also appear, according to 2024 FEC records, to have made no contributions to our local party.

      This raises a critical question increasingly asked by local Republican candidates: Why isn’t the San Diego Republican Party supporting its own candidates?

      1. Furthermore, perhaps it is time to update our San Diego Republican Party of San Diego County bylaws. Here is an excerpt from our article titled “Our Recommended Updates to our San Diego County Republican Party Bylaws” :

        Article XI: Responsibility of the RPSDC to Support New and Aspiring Republican Candidates in San Diego County

        The Republican Party of San Diego County (RPSDC) has a vital responsibility to actively support new and aspiring Republican candidates, facilitating their success in the electoral process. This commitment encompasses equipping candidates with essential knowledge and resources for effective campaigning.

        Key focus areas include:

        Prioritizing RPSDC services for local Republican candidates on the ballot in San Diego County ensures they receive essential campaign support, including access to campaign software, updated voter files, volunteers, email and text message marketing, fundraising assistance, website design, and state or federal campaign compliance. This approach focuses resources on qualified local candidates rather than extending them to candidates outside San Diego County or California.

        1. Why has the San Diego County GOP leadership, including Chairman Corey Gustafson, 1st Vice Chair Dustin Trotter, 2nd Vice Chair Andrew Skale, and others, failed to endorse Peter Bono—a 30-year Navy veteran and Republican candidate challenging Democratic incumbent Scott Peters in the 50th Congressional District? This is especially troubling given that Peter Bono received an official endorsement from California Republican Party Chairwoman Jessica Millian Patterson on May 22, 2024.

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