Young Republicans Split Over Party’s Direction Ahead of Critical Vote
The Young Republican landscape is experiencing a dramatic divide, as two factions vie for dominance, each eager to claim the mantle of true MAGA champions just ahead of a pivotal vote for the party’s youth organization this weekend.
On Saturday, party members will gather in Nashville to select between two competing slates for the Young Republican National Federation (YRNF): the incumbent Grow YR, led by current chair Hayden Padgett, and the challenger Restore YR, headed by Peter Giunta, the chair of the New York State Young Republicans.
This clash isn’t merely about leadership; it’s a theatrical spectacle of personal vendettas and ideological battles, with both sides eager to demonstrate their unwavering loyalty to former President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement. Yet, beneath the surface, this internal strife reflects a broader rift threatening to unravel the Republican Party as it navigates its uncertain post-Trump future.
Giunta warned, “The fact that [Young Republicans are] divided over something like this — what type of work we should be doing — says a lot about what the potential implications are for 2026 and 2028. In 2028, it’s really about fighting for what the future identity of the party looks like in a post-Trump era.”
The Restore YR campaign is determined to unseat the current leadership, promising to “restore trust, opportunity, and unity.” They’ve garnered endorsements from prominent MAGA supporters, including Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), notorious Trump ally Roger Stone, Florida GOP Chair Evan Power, and Tyler Bowyer, the COO of Turning Point Action, known for his involvement in the “fake electors” scheme in Arizona during the 2020 election.
Stone, a historic figure in the YRNF, explained his endorsement of Restore YR by stating, “They are most closely aligned with President Trump and the America First Movement within the Republican Party.”
Although the YRNF has never been a powerhouse in GOP fundraising, its approximately 14,000 members play a crucial role in grassroots mobilization for Republican campaigns and have produced many of the party’s most devoted advocates, with numerous alumni now serving in Congress.
“The YRs are the boots on the ground,” asserted California Young Republicans Chair Ariana Assenmacher, who is running for co-chair under the Restore YR banner. “For us to enter ’26 with a clear game plan about which congressional and Senate seats to focus on, we must provide as much support as possible to the president and the administration.”
In a rather dramatic turn of events, Giunta has accused Padgett and his board of inadequate support for Trump, even alleging that they secretly worked against him. Giunta’s claims reached the White House, bringing the internal strife to a national stage. The White House and the Republican National Committee have chosen to remain neutral, with spokespersons declining to comment.
Giunta’s accusations also include claims that Padgett attempted to intimidate state federations into not endorsing Trump in the 2024 primary after a straw poll conducted by YRNF leadership in August 2023 indicated Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as the frontrunner among young Republicans. A subsequent mock caucus in November revealed support for former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, which might have added fuel to the fire, given that one of Padgett’s vice chairs had previously led students for Haley.
The allegations extend to claims that YRNF under Padgett’s oversight has platformed “Trump haters” and even fabricated tweets purporting to show Giunta’s opposition to Trump. Giunta has threatened legal action for what he describes as a smear campaign orchestrated by Padgett, who vehemently denies the allegations.
The current YRNF leadership, represented by national political director Blake delCarmen, firmly rejects any claims of undermining Trump, asserting that Padgett and his team “stand unequivocally with President Trump’s agenda, no ifs, ands, or buts.” DelCarmen emphasized, “These claims are false and serve only to distract from our proven record of leadership, growth, and unwavering support for President Trump and the conservative agenda.”
While Grow YR has secured endorsements from half of the national federation’s state organizations, the endorsement process has stirred up bitter disputes even within some of the largest states. For instance, a local chapter in Ohio denounced its state leadership for endorsing Grow YR without consulting county leaders, labeling the group as “a reductive collection of individuals largely out of touch with the conservative movement” and branding Ohio Young Republicans Chair Cody Pettit and his board as “a pack of RINOs.”
Pettit defended the endorsement, claiming that “YRNF under the leadership of the Grow YR Tickets has offered real progress for the national organization,” highlighting successes in fundraising and organizing.
In another twist, the Wisconsin Young Republicans, who have backed the Grow YR slate, have threatened to suspend delegates who support any candidate opposing the previously endorsed slate. Wisconsin Young Republicans Chair Kyle Schroeder lauded the current leadership for achieving “record fundraising, unprecedented membership growth, and historic victories for Republicans across the country.”
Interestingly, California and Florida’s state federations, which initially endorsed Grow YR in 2023, have now switched their allegiance to Restore YR, while Texas—Padgett’s home territory—seems to be leaning toward the challengers. Nearly two-thirds of Texas delegates, who are not bound to vote according to their state federation’s endorsement, are supporting Restore YR.
Texas Young Republicans Chair Derrick Wilson, who backs the Grow YR slate, dismissed the conflict as “more personal pettiness than policy.” Despite this, Padgett remains optimistic about his slate’s chances in Nashville, confident of securing a second term as national chair.
“If you look at the scorecard that you measure an administration on, we’re hitting records on every metric,” Padgett stated in an interview. “Our pitch is to double down on that. Let’s not pivot directions and return ourselves to some ill-conceived or vague task; let’s keep moving forward and see where that takes us.”
However, this race may foreshadow deeper GOP divisions. While Trump remains a significant figure in conservative politics, operatives and candidates are positioning themselves for the future, aiming to define the party’s direction in 2028 and beyond—a scenario ripe for another chaotic primary battle over who will inherit the MAGA legacy.
“I think Republicans need to ensure that we are in lockstep and that there’s no infighting as we approach 2028,” Assenmacher cautioned. “Trump is not going to be the candidate then, so we need to unite behind someone, and it’s going to require the youth to support that.”
