“The oldest, the biggest, the best – come join CR's!”

College Republicans is the nation's oldest, largest, and most active youth political organization. Founded in 1892, there are currently over 250,000 CR's around the country on 1,800+ campuses in every state and DC.

Every year, CR's from all across America come together to help elect Republican candidates, support the Republican agenda, and become the future leaders of the conservative movement. College Republicans are the grassroots arm of the Republican Party – the counterbalance to the unions and leftist interest groups.

Our national organization runs three cornerstone programs: our Field Program sends full-time representatives to recruit, train, register, and mobilize our membership nationwide, our Wildfire activism program engages students in social-mobilization efforts to capture our demographic's energy online, and a sophisticated training program to ensure we are always on the cutting edge.

Of course, College Republicans needs your help to continue building on our success, sign-up or donate to keep us going!

The College Republican National Committee is an independent, section 527 political organization.

Charlie Smith
National Chairman

Charlie Smith was born in Iowa, where he attended Dowling Catholic High School. Charlie played many sports, but excelled at tennis, becoming a nationally ranked player.

After living his whole life in Iowa, Charlie branched out and attended the University of Denver from 2003-2007, where he studied Real Estate and Finance at the Daniel College of Business. Charlie developed a passion for politics at DU , becoming the leader of the campus College Republicans, a two-term state chairman of Colorado, the CRNC’s “Best State Chairman” in 2005 and a leader in youth and Republican politics.

Nick Miccarelli
National Co-Chairman

Nick Miccarelli began volunteering for political campaigns in 1999. He volunteered to serve his country in the United States Army, enlisting as a high school senior.

In the aftermath of September 11, Nick was deployed to Kosovo for nine months, where he was awarded the Army Achievement Medal for his brave actions in capturing an armed guerilla.

Nick returned home to begin college and became heavily involved in the College Republicans in his school and state. In 2005, he was elected state chairman of Pennsylvania, taking the organization to new heights by implementing a highly successful field program in an off year, successfully starting eight new chapters and reinvigorating defunct ones.

In October 2005, Nick volunteered to replace fallen comrades in his squadron and was sent to Ramadi, known as the capitol of the Sunni insurgency and the most dangerous city in the country. Nick was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his exemplary actions in combat during one particular fight. He was also awarded the Combat Infantrymen’s Badge. At 23, Nick was promoted and became the youngest staff sergeant in his brigade at the time.

Nick is a graduate of Pennsylvania State and currently works as chief of staff for a Pennyslvania state representative.

Dan Carlson
National Secretary

Dan Carlson is from Farmington Hills, Michigan, and a graduate of Detroit Catholic Central High School and Kalamazoo College. He is currently entering his third year at Ave Maria Law School in Ann Arbor. While majoring in History and Classics at Kalamazoo College, Dan started a College Republicans organization and made it one of the most active clubs in the state.

Dan and the Kalamazoo College Republicans fought for conservative values on a very liberal campus on causes ranging from the Bush 2004 campaign to the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative. Dan became chairman of the Michigan Federation of College Republicans in 2005 and was re-elected in 2006 by a vote of 149-15. As chairman of the MFCRs, Dan built the federation into the largest College Republicans organization in the country. The organization utilized "Resolution Weekends" to mobilize the College Republicans in key congressional, state senate, and state representative races. Three of the targeted state senate races resulted in razor-thin victories, helping maintain Republican control of the Michigan Senate.

Dan is honored to be a part of the new team of national officers and looks forward to many productive years working together for the betterment of all College Republicans.

Esther Clark
National Treasurer

There’s never a dull moment in the life of Esther Clark, who is known for being a fast-talking, always-on-the-go girl who pours her time into causes and organization she believes in, to the point of hardly sleeping! Esther volunteered for her first campaign at age 15 and hasn’t stopped since. She spent a year between high school and college coaching a high school cross-country team and launching a small in-home business before attending Brenau University on cross-country, leadership and business scholarships.

While pursuing a business management major at Brenau University, Esther helped found a College Republicans club and was appointed to the GACR Executive Board as a freshman. Governor Sonny Perdue’s re-election campaign hired Esther as volunteer coordinator/e-campaign director at the beginning of 2006. Esther returned to school in the spring of 2007 as a transfer to the University of Georgia.

Esther was elected GACR state chairman in February 2007. She also serves as national treasurer for the CRNC. Esther loves running, cooking, reading, traveling and hanging out with her amazing brothers and sisters. She resides in Atlanta, Georgia and works for a cutting-edge technology company that specializes in political campaigns.

Zach Howell
Western Regional Vice-Chairman

Zach Howell is a native of Sandy, Utah. He currently attends the University of Utah and is pursuing a degree in political science. Zach began his involvement in politics at the age of 13 in 1999, volunteering for several local Republican candidates.

He first became involved in College Republicans as a senior in high school, when he helped coordinate Get Out The Vote activities among high school and college students for a congressional campaign.

When Zach started college, he immediately became a member of his school’s chapter of the College Republicans and ran for state chairman toward the end of his freshman year. He won and was re-elected unanimously the following year. The Utah CRs enhanced their national reputation as an effective volunteer force, participating in campaigns across the country in 2005 and 2006. The federation doubled its membership rolls during these two years and became active on nearly every campus in the state.

Zach is excited to be involved in the crucial efforts of the CRNC over the next year.

Justin Smith
Midwest Regional Vice-Chairman

Justin Smith is from Blue Springs, Missouri. He graduated from the University of Missouri – Kansas City with a degree in political science in May 2007. Justin anticipates graduating from the University of Missouri School of Law in May 2010.

Justin served as chairman of the Missouri College Republicans for a year and a half. He has also served in College Republicans as a chapter chairman, state executive director, state vice-chairman, member of the CRNC Credentials Committee and as a key architect of important amendments to the national constitution.

Despite all the titles, Justin is proudest when he is involved as a regular College Republican, making a difference with many others on campus and in the community to help win America’s future.

Michael Keough
Northeastern Regional Vice-Chairman

Michael Keough began his involvement in high school as a page for the U.S. House of Representatives and as student campaign manager for a bond issue to support local schools. He joined the George Washington University College Republicans in the fall of 2004 and served as their freshman representative and treasurer when they were named “National Best Chapter” in 2005.

During the 2005-2006 academic year he served as secretary of the "DC Fed." Under his leadership as chairman in 2006, the federation expanded to new schools for the first time in many years and set new records for campaign involvement. Michael was re-elected for a second term in April 2007.

In July 2007, he was unanimously elected as the first vice-chairman for the Northeast Region. Michael is originally from Wildwood, Missouri. He will graduate from George Washington University with dual bachelor's degrees in political science and history in May 2008. He plans to pursue a career in law.

Kristy Cottrell
Southern Regional Vice-Chairman

Kristy Cottrell is currently a senior at Auburn University. She began her involvement in the Republican Party during President George Bush’s 2004 re-election campaign. Her dedication caused her to dropmore than half of her classes to campaign for President Bush full-time in Alabama.

Immediately after the election she served as secretary of Auburn University’s College Republican chapter and then was unanimously elected to chairman of the Auburn University College Republicans. In the spring of 2007, she was unanimously elected state chairman of the College Republican Federation of Alabama. She has worked since then to strengthen the reputation of the CRFA with the Alabama Republican Party and fundraise to support local chapters.

Kristy is proud to be a CRNC officer and looks forward to bringing respect and productivity to the CRNC and a strong voice for the Southern region.

Ethan Eilon
Executive Director

John Swanson
Finance Director

John Swanson grew up in Northern California and Southern Oregon before attending Willamette University. In the spring of 2005, John was elected state chairman of the Oregon Federation of College Republicans. The leadership of John and his team produced stellar results, growing the federation from six chapters to 22 and generating more than 110,000 voter contacts recorded by College Republicans during the 2006 election cycle.

In addition to this organizational output success, John made his mark as a persistent fundraiser during his term, raising an unprecedented net total of $93,000 for the OFCR through individual solicitation and the implementation of an effective direct mail program, all without an existing house list of donors prior to his term. In light of such fundraising success, John was asked by Chairman Charlie Smith to become the finance director of the CRNC.

John intends on raising money for the CRNC and providing fundraising advice to state federations.

Blake Harris
Political Director

Blake began his involvement with College Republicans during the fall of his freshman year and has been actively involved with the Republican Party since. He started school at Harding University, and then transferred to Auburn University in Alabama in 2005 where he became the Political Director for the College Republican Federation of Alabama. He was elected State Chairman the following year.

During the elections of 2006, Blake and Alabama College Republicans lead Students for Riley which helped to successfully re-elect Republican Governor Bob Riley. They also played a key role in other statewide campaigns as well as many campaigns for the state legislature.

Blake coordinated Students for John McCain in the spring of 2007 and played an important role in bringing together support for the New CRNC team leading up to their election. After the New CRNC Team took office, Blake was appointed Political Director. Blake will graduate in May 2008 and attend law school next fall. Aside from politics Blake is a passionate follower of Auburn football.