What They Are Saying: “Search for next GOP star starts with pushing women and minority candidates for state seats”

“Before candidates reach the national level, those who start at the state and local level often have no idea where to begin. That is where the RSLC and mentorship come in.”​

The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) last week held a panel discussion showcasing its “Right Leaders Network,” the committee’s recently announced initiative to continue its work growing the Republican Party from the ground up by recruiting, training, and supporting women and candidates from communities of color running for state office. The discussion featured Right Leaders Network Advisory Council members U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn, Marco Rubio, and Tim Scott, as well as U.S. Congresswomen Young Kim and Ashley Hinson -- all former state legislators. It was moderated by RSLC Board Member and former Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuño.

The panel in its entirety aired on CSPAN over the weekend. Click HERE or below to watch. 

Prior to the event, the panelists spoke with the RSLC about the importance of the Right Leaders Network and why they are excited to be a part of this enhanced recruiting and training initiative. Click HERE or below to watch their comments. 

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Here is some more reaction on the event from the participants, press, and operatives.

Senator Marsha Blackburn: “I am honored to work with the @RSLC to help open doors for more strong, diverse leaders to join the fight against Democrats' bad policies.”

Senator Tim Scott: “Common-sense conservative leadership starts in our states, and @RSLC is leading the charge to elevate diverse GOP voices and win in 2022. I was thrilled to join @marcorubio, @VoteMarsha, @YoungKimCA, @hinsonashley & @luisfortuno51 last night to discuss our party’s bright future!”

Congresswoman Ashley Hinson: “Excited to help launch the Right Leaders Network with @RSLC tonight-a new initiative to grow the GOP & help conservative candidates run & win in every corner of the country. Proud to work w/ @marcorubio, @VoteMarsha, @votetimscott, & @YoungKimCA to help build our party."

Congresswoman Young Kim: “The Republican Party is the Grand Opportunity Party. I’m grateful to join the @RSLC Right Leader’s Network & work with @votetimscott, @marcorubio, @VoteMarsha & @hinsonashley to recruit our next generation of GOP leaders across all levels of government.”

Former Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuño: “Proud to moderate panel launching @RSLC’s Right Leaders Network with @votetimscott, @MarshaBlackburn, @marcorubio, @hinsonashley and @YoungKimCA. Their leadership makes our Nation stronger!”

Washington Examiner: “The search is on for the next Republican political success story, and party operatives are turning their focus and efforts to those running for office on the state legislative level and building the next generation of national candidates… An RSLC panel last week that focused on candidate recruitment featured congressional GOP stars Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida, Tim Scott of South Carolina, and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, along with Reps. Ashley Hinson of Iowa and Young Kim of California. All five of them started in politics at the state level and fit the profile of a unique background that has led to Republican electoral success in recent years… But before candidates reach the national level, those who start at the state and local level often have no idea where to begin. That is where the RSLC and mentorship come in.”

Fox News: “Three Republican senators and two GOP House members met with state-level Republican activists and potential candidates Wednesday night to share advice on how to run for office and win state-level elections in an event hosted by the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC)...The panel was moderated by former Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortuño, as RSLC rolled out its new ‘Right Leaders Network’ initiative that's aimed at helping ‘recruit, train and support diverse candidates to run for state office"’

Breitbart: “Big-name congressmembers looking to bolster the future of the GOP spoke on a Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) panel Wednesday about pursuing down-ballot races, an area the GOP dominated in 2020 amid losses at the federal level. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Tim Scott (R-SC) as well as Reps. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) and Young Kim (R-CA) — all of whom were once state lawmakers themselves — gave advice to an audience of Republican operatives, state-level candidates, and RSLC donors.”

National Journal’s Dylan Wells: "@MarshaBlackburn, @SenatorTimScott, @marcorubio, @RepAshleyHinson and @RepYoungKim are speaking on a panel tonight about the @RSLC’s Right Leaders Network program, which aims to recruit women and minority candidates." 

Karl Rove: “Great work by the @RSLC and its Right Leaders Network Advisory Council members for putting on this event. The future of the GOP starts in the states.”

RNC’s Paris Dennard: “Kudos to the RSLC on this important initiative that will continue the growth of our party on the state level by helping to elect even more Republican women and minorities!”

VIEWPAC: “Our partners at the @RSLC are helping to shape the future of the #GOP by building our bench of strong, serious, diverse #GOPWomen. Together we will fight for parity & thoughtful policy discourse. @hinsonashley @VoteMarsha @YoungKimCA @votetimscott #RLNPanel2021” 

Winning for Women’s Olivia Perez-Cubas: “You'd be hard pressed to find a more impressive group of GOP lawmakers.Kudos to the @RSLC for working to expand diversity in the Republican Party. @marcorubio, @votetimscott, @VoteMarsha, @hinsonashley, @YoungKimCA & @luisfortuno51”

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