Sonoma County Republicans Ready For Challenges of 2006

2005 was a year of fundamental change in the workings of the Sonoma County Republican Party. Led by its Chairman, Paul Erickson, former Republican candidate for the 6th Congressional District, the Party organization grew its membership, began a major revision of its Bylaws, developed a wholly new political strategy with a focus on local politics, and adopted a proven plan for resourcing its operations. The leadership assembled potential Republican candidates for a professional training session and began to offer "bread and butter" support for local candidates. A key part of this effort was reconnecting the Party to community interests and leaders - an effort which yielded new friends and new potential for Republican success. All that was just for starters!

After consecutive campaigning in 2002, 2003, and 2004, Sonoma County Republicans were called upon to mount another election effort for 2005, supporting the Governor's Reform package. That effort did not succeed, but the focus on local politics paid off. Sonoma County Republicans joined the effort to defeat Measure M, which would have denied to Sonoma County agriculture access to the benefits of modern crop and animal technologies, would have endangered access of Sonoma County residents to the benefits of biotechnology advances in medicine, and would have made the County a regressive scientific backwater for genetic research. We were proud to stand with the Family Farmers Alliance to ensure a resounding defeat for the ban on progress represented by Measure M.

2006 brings new challenges. We will elect a governor, members of the House of Representatives, many other statewide officials as well as local representatives in the State Assembly and State Senate. True to its purpose, the Sonoma County Republican Party will focus its efforts on encouraging Republicans to run for local offices and support those who are up for reelection. There is much to be done, but your Sonoma County Republican Party has never been more ready to take on the challenge.