California Republican Party’s year-round Candidate Development Program
California Trailblazers is the California Republican Party’s year-round Candidate Development Program that helps recruit, train, and elect diverse and dynamic Republican leaders in this state. California Trailblazers helps Republican candidates ranging from local to federal to build and establish a pathway to victory on Election Day through training, goals, and benchmarks.
California Trailblazers sets rigorous goals and benchmarks for candidates, and as they hit their goals, they progress through our tiered program. Goals will vary depending on what office you are running for. As our members elevate through the tiers, additional support and incentives are provided to candidates to build a solid and competitive campaign.
RECRUIT
California Trailblazers, modeled after the successful national Young Guns program, successfully recruits, trains, and helps elect Republicans up and down the ballot.
Rigorous fundraising and campaign benchmarks are required before advancing to the next tier. As our members advance through the tiers, additional support is given to ensure a strong and competitive campaign.
LEARN CAMPAIGN FUNDAMENTALS
The Trailblazer Program also provides resources of ongoing education for candidates to learn campaign fundamentals. Candidates will have access to industry professionals to assist in developing finance, grassroots, administrative, and political plans.
The program will supply quality fundraisers, coalition building experts, media training, issue briefings and more to ensure Trailblazer candidates have the tools to win on Election Day.
Cutting-edge information
“California Trailblazers provided cutting-edge information, training and strategy to significantly bolster my candidacy for Assembly and create the best possible pathway for a successful campaign. The collective support of Trailblazers alumni, board members and staff leveraged best practices and resources that are second to none. This program will continue to play a key role in electing the next generation of diverse and dynamic Republican leaders in this state.”
– Congressman Vince Fong
‘Pathfinder’ is the first tier in the three-tier program. These candidates have identified local volunteers and neighborhood team leaders, established a website and social media presence, and participated in Trailblazers’ training. Additionally, the candidate has raised the number outlined in their specific goal sheet without personal loans.
‘Trailblazer’ is the highest designation in the three-tier program. These candidates have raised more than the number in their goal sheet in campaign contributions without personal loans. They have demonstrated a clear path to victory in their districts. Trailblazers have also completed and executed their earned media, finance, legal, and GOTV plans and have calculated their Pathway to Victory (50% + 1).
