By Scott Anderson, YCGOP Chairman
Despite well-funded opposition from the state Republican Party establishment, We the People in York County stood our ground – and won!
At the recent YCGOP County Convention, local leadership defended the party from outside efforts to gain control and return to politics as usual. The outcome was clear: York County remains in the hands of principled, grassroots conservatives who will continue to work with the state party but never become yes men. We will partner where we can—and push back where we must.
To understand the significance of this moment, it helps to understand the process. Every two years, the South Carolina GOP holds a statewide reorganization (aka re-org) where local precincts elect leaders, counties elect new officers and state delegates, and those delegates gather at the State Convention to elect the leadership of the SCGOP (the state-level organization of the Republican party). It’s a bottom-up process driven by the grassroots—and increasingly, the grassroots have something to say!
Democrats Attempted to Infiltrate—But Failed
Efforts were made to derail this process in York County. Democrat-aligned individuals and operatives, some calling themselves Republicans and some of whom have openly supported progressive candidates and causes, worked to infiltrate the GOP precinct-level re-org meetings. These individuals tried to pose as concerned Republicans to influence leadership elections and steer the direction of the party away from its conservative base.
However, those efforts were unsuccessful thanks to the vigilance and preparedness of local grassroots leaders, who were well-organized and informed. Volunteers worked hard to rally real Republicans to the re-org event and ensure that the precinct process remained transparent and accountable. Our efforts preserved the integrity of the reorganization and ensured that true York County Republicans, and not outside actors, determined the future of the YCGOP.
Protecting Your Vote – Open vs. Closed Primaries
The South Carolina Republican Party platform (pg. 7) states:
• We believe political parties have the right to choose their nominees; therefore, we support primaries that are open, only to registered voters of that political party.
A primary that is ‘open, only to registered voters of that …party’ is, by definition, a CLOSED primary. Yet, South Carolina has OPEN primaries (Democrats can vote in Republican primaries, and vice versa). For nearly 20 years, bills to close South Carolina’s primaries have been introduced—and for 20 years, the Republican establishment has failed to act. Many elected Republicans will even admit they don’t want to close the primaries. As it stands now, Democrats do vote in Republican primaries, helping to nominate candidates who don’t reflect the values of true conservatives. This undermines the integrity of our elections and dilutes the voice of truly conservativeRepublican voters.
That’s why the YCGOP, alongside a growing number of grassroots groups across the state, is calling for meaningful action to finally close South Carolina’s primaries and secure the nomination process for Republican voters.
In reaction, during the re-org process, the state-level SCGOP establishment launched a misleading and confusing campaign called “Save Our Primaries.” This campaign tried to paint grassroots conservatives as extremists who want to eliminate primaries altogether, when the truth is that we’re fighting to make sure Republican nominees are, you know, actually chosenby Republicans! So radical!!
Fortunately, most local, conservative Republicans saw through the marketing push and understood what was really going on!
Convention Saturday: A Victory for the People
On April 12, outgoing YCGOP Chair Larry Barnett delivered a rousing farewell speech, followed by special guest Congressman Ralph Norman, who energized the crowd while votes were counted (we should have both speeches up on social media presently).
In the end, the results were not close. Our attendees elected me as Chairman and Caitlin Boyle won First Vice Chair in landslide victories, defeating last-minute nominations from the floor. The remainder of our leadership team were unopposed. The full YCGOP grassroots slate of delegates for the State Convention was also overwhelmingly approved, proving once again that York County is united and ready to lead.
What’s Next: State Convention & A Bold Vision
The SCGOP State Convention will take place on May 3rd in Columbia, where delegates from across South Carolina will elect new state leadership and help shape the future of our party. York County will stand shoulder to shoulder with fellow conservative counties determined to return the SCGOP to its roots. We believe that when the electorate and the special interests conflict (which is most of the time), the electorate should prevail.
Locally, the YCGOP is charging forward with a clear and energizing vision based on three pillars: Freedom First, Prosperity for All and Moving Forward in Unity, . These aren’t just slogans, they’re guiding principles that will shape everything we do, from candidate vetting to policy advocacy. The YCGOP will work with our elected officials when we share goals and hold them accountable when they diverge from the preferences of the grassroots.
Our monthly meetings are open to all Republicans and take place on the last Thursday of each month at Southern Charm Events Center in Rock Hill. We host guest speakers and help attendees gain a better understanding of local and state politics. Whether you’re a longtime Republican or just getting involved with conservative politics, your voice is welcome!
York County has spoken loud and clear: this is a Republican Party of the people, by the people, and for the people—and we’re just getting started.
Editors Note: we’d like to extend an invite to members of all political parties. Please submit any editorials you feel would be beneficial for our community to hear. We will work with you to publish them on your behalf.
