For Immediate Release Friday, October 28, 2011

Contact Jessica Patterson (323) 547-7437

California Republican Leadership Join Forces to Launch Statewide Recruitment Plan

Legislative Program modeled after Congressman Kevin McCarthys HistoryMaking Young Guns Program
SACRAMENTO, CA- Today, Senate Republican Leader Bob Dutton and Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway announced the creation of the California Trailblazers, a legislative candidate recruitment program designed to mobilize and empower some of our states most talented young leaders. In making the announcement, Leaders Dutton and Conway were joined by Majority Whip, Congressman Kevin McCarthy. Now, more than ever, California is at a crossroads. With new district lines and an open primary, the California Republican Leadership is taking action to capitalize on Californias unique political landscape. To be successful in this new paradigm, California Trailblazers focus is on recruitment, training and assessment for legislative victory in 2012. The mission of California Trailblazers is to recruit, train and advise a new generation of fiscally conservative leaders in order to see legislative victories in 2012 and beyond. Victory is within reach, as the California Trailblazers program is modeled after the National Republican Congressional Committees successful Young Guns program. Congressional Majority Whip and Young Guns Founder, Kevin McCarthy, will play an honorary advisory role in the California Trailblazers program. The California Trailblazers program, modeled after Young Guns, provides candidates with the tools and resources they will need to compete and win in Californias political landscape. Im looking forward to helping elect the next generation of Republican leaders to the California legislature in 2012 and going forward, said Congressman Kevin McCarthy. Similar to the Young Guns, the California Trailblazers program structure consists of three tiers that candidates must advance through to reach Trailblazer status. Requirements to advance to the next tier include predetermined benchmarks for campaign infrastructure, grassroots support, fundraising and more. In addition to the rigorous goals set by the three tier framework, the California Trailblazer program provides resources of ongoing education for candidates to learn campaign fundamentals. A preliminary campaign college for candidates will kick off the California Trailblazers program in December of 2011. All Candidates are invited to learn about How to Compete in a New Political Landscape, followed by training with industry professionals. Throughout the campaign cycle, the California Trailblazers program will provide ongoing

education via fundraisers, coalition building experts, media training and issue briefings to train and give candidates the tools they need to win. The California Republican Leadership understands the value of advising and helping elect quality candidates. We are seeking to identify diverse, fiscally conservative, enthusiastic young leaders who have a strong desire to make a difference in California. The California Trailblazers program helps advance that mission and offers candidates resources that would otherwise be unavailable to them, said Senate Republican Leader Bob Dutton. Republican political consultant Jessica Patterson has been tapped to serve as California Trailblazers CEO. A veteran of the Republican National Committee and the California Republican Party, Jessica has campaigned in every California county and has a diverse network of contacts across the state and beyond. Jessicas professionalism, experience, and no nonsense reputation make her a perfect fit to serve as the CEO of California Trailblazers, said Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway. The goal we have set is clear, build a stronger Republican caucus within the state legislature. The California Trailblazers will be the organization that will lead us to that end. #####