Shakeups occur in Michigan, Kentucky, and Connecticut

Over the last few days, several major shakeups have occurred in the state federation elections of Michigan, Kentucky, Connecticut, and a slate of candidates came to the forefront in New Jersey. Michigan has been the most contentious of elections thus far, starkly contrasting the prior three months of the race. Awhile back, Ryan Thompson of Hillsdale dropped out of the race for Co-Chairman and swore off CR politics. Now, as Michigan's Justin Zatkoff, currently Dan Carlson's Executive Director, enters the fray against Steve Japinga of Michigan State, Thompson is back with a vengeance. While he holds many a grudge against Carlson, the outgoing Chairman of MFCR, he resents Japinga and Co-Chairman candidate Jeff Wiggins, also of Michigan State, much more.

Thompson has sent out no less than five blast emails to members of MFCR trashing the pair for their 2008 Primary affiliations, challenging Wiggins' attendance to a college, and bashing both for their dealings thus far in this election. It is essentially a direct-mail hit piece in a College Republican election, something that we never thought would happen, or was necessary. It is ironic in a sense that these emails focused on Japinga's ties to Dan Carlson in the very week when a slate of candidates emerged that appears to have his backing. In any case, the heat seems to be on Japinga and Wiggins, if not from these emails, but from the emergence of opposing candidates in their campaigns. Zatkoff entered the race against Japinga for good after first mulling a run at Chairman back in December and then ending a short run for Co-Chairman a few weeks later. Michigan will be holding convention later this month, so the race is very much becoming a heat to the finish line.


In Kentucky, a long-rumored switch has happened. Morgan Wilkins ended a bid to succeed Brian Weber as KFCR Chairman after seemingly performing well in her first debate against opponent Michael Wray of Louisville. Jeremy Hughes is the man that Wilkins stepped aside for; she had promised to step aside if a better candidate emerged in the race. She will now be moving down ticket, taking a little of the pressure off and, should she win, giving her a year to gain experience and make a later run if she wishes. Hughes is a former deputy of former KFCR Chairman Derek Hall, and a student at Morehead State, which is coincidentally the school of current KFCR Chairman Brian Weber. In an apparently unconnected story, Matthew Ballard, currently Executive Director of the UK College Republicans, is planning to run for KFCR Vice Chairman. Kentucky will be holding convention and elections in April, on the 13th and 14th.

In Connecticut, sources say that UConn student and College Republican David Brewster has met with CUCR Chairman Sarah Armstrong about being a candidate to succeed her in their upcoming elections. Brewster is a relative unknown, and we could not find any connections to current current or past CUCR Chairmen. Not much is known beyond this, but we will be following up on the matter shortly. We are also still waiting to hear if the rumors of another so-called "Opposition" candidate having Connecticut locked up have any grounds.

In New Jersey, a full slate has emerged with the backing of NJCR Chairman candidate Christopher Stark, who is seeking to succeed outgoing NJCR Chairman Frank Luna. Terence Grado of TCNJ will be running for Co-Chairman, and Joseph Grennon of Rutgers will be running for Vice Chairman. The Treasurer candidate is Ben DeMarzo and Executive Director candidate Matt Mowers are both Rutgers CRs as well.

In other news, Iowa CRs elected Ben Johnson to succeed Bobby Kaufmann as their State Chairman. Ohio Chairman Brian Siler was in attendance, but no other national figures were spotted at the convention. Mason Harrison's designated successor, Ryan Clumpner, and his Team Activate appear set to win easily in California. Clumpner, of UC Davis, appears to have no significant opposition, if any real opponents at all. Ohio CRs are playing a game of wait and see with their fast-approaching elections, which will be held April 20-21. The location of Ohio's convention is not yet set, but will be known in roughly ten days. No candidates are announced, but there are rumors of a single ticket emerging, with the focus of the elections being more on issues than on candidates.