New York GOP Disbands Young Republicans Over Disturbing Group Chat Controversy

## Overview The “New York GOP” refers to the Republican Party in the state of New York, one of the oldest and most influential state parties in the Republican tradition. While not a formal “organization” in the sense of a single, centralized entity, the New York GOP is a broad coalition of county committees, clubs, and affiliated groups that work to advance Republican principles, candidates, and policies at the local, state, and national levels. ## History The Republican Party nationally was founded in 1854 in response to the Kansas-Nebraska Act, with a platform opposing the expansion of slavery[2][4]. New York played a pivotal role in the party’s early years, producing national figures like William H. Seward and Horace Greeley, who helped shape the party’s antislavery platform and its rapid rise to national prominence[5]. By the 1860s, New York Republicans were instrumental in electing Abraham Lincoln and advancing the Union cause during the Civil War[5]. In the 20th century, the New York GOP saw periods of both strength and decline. The party controlled the governorship for much of the mid-20th century, most notably under Nelson Rockefeller (1959–1973), whose tenure marked a high point of Republican influence in the state[3]. However, the party’s fortunes waned after Rockefeller’s resignation, with Democrats dominating the governorship for much of the next two decades[3]. The GOP’s last major statewide victory came with George Pataki’s election in 1994, but since then, the party has struggled to compete in statewide elections, despite maintaining a presence in certain legislative chambers[3]. ## Key Achievements - **National Leadership**: New York Republicans like Seward and Greeley were central to the party’s antislavery coalition and the election of Lincoln[5]. - **State Governance**: The party produced transformative governors, such as Nelson Rockefeller, who modernized state

The **Young Republicans (YRs)**, formally known as the **Young Republican National Federation (YRNF)**, is the oldest political youth organization in the United States, founded nationally in 1931. It serves registered Republicans aged 18 to 40, aiming to engage young voters, recruit new members, and train future Republican leaders while supporting Republican candidates at all levels of government[1][3]. The organization's roots trace back to 1856 with the establishment of the first Young Republican Club, formed to support the newly founded Republican Party and the abolitionist cause. The YRNF was institutionalized under the leadership of George H. Olmsted, who was appointed by President Herbert Hoover in the early 1930s to organize young Republicans nationally. Olmsted became the first chairman of the YRNF in 1935[1][3]. Historically, Young Republican clubs have combined social networking with political activism. They provide forums for political discussion and organize events to support Republican candidates and causes. The New York Young Republican Club, founded in 1911, is the oldest and largest chapter, historically influential in shaping Republican youth politics and serving as a moderate Republican bastion before shifting rightward in recent years[4][5]. In contemporary times, the YRNF continues to focus on political engagement and leadership development. However, in 2025, the organization faced significant controversy when leaked Telegram chats from high-ranking members revealed racist, antisemitic, and white supremacist rhetoric, sparking bipartisan condemnation and scrutiny of the group's internal culture[3]. Despite these challenges, the Young Republicans maintain a notable role in American political life by mobilizing youth involvement in the Republican Party and influencing future political leadership across the country. The organization operates nationally with state and local chapters, maintaining its historical mission to advocate Republican principles among younger generations[1][3].