Photo by Gage Skidmore.
Some voices from Saturday night’s Lincoln-Reagan Dinner, at which U.S. Senator Rand Paul addressed a crowd of well over 700 attendees…
Rostra writer Brian Brady, a leader in the Republican Liberty Caucus (RLC) of San Diego (pictured with wife Debra)…
Rand Paul has an appeal which will broaden the reach of the Republican Party. Saturday night saw over 700 people at the dinner (a new record). The number of first time attendees was astounding. Paul, at the top of the ticket, could be a boon in the 2016 election cycle for down ticket Republican 
candidates. Republicans could regain the lost County Supervisor seat, a San Diego City Council majority, and compete in the Assembly and Congressional districts which are Democratic strongholds.
Senator Paul’s discussion at the dinner about embracing the entire Bill of Rights was met with cautious optimism by the crowd. He’s having an effect, though. I walked into a conversation where Congressman Darrell Issa was telling my wife why he voted for the PATRIOT Act, but how Executive overreach, from the past two Presidents, needs to be confronted by Congress.
The real rock stars from Saturday were the volunteers and staff of the Republican Party of San Diego County. They took what could have been a good event and made it a memorable one. Guests were treated extraordinarily well and each was made to feel special. With so many new Republicans attending, that welcoming attitude serves to expand our party.
Pictured L-R, Assemblyman Brian Jones, Jordan “The Mustache” Marks, Assembly Republican Leader Kristin Olsen, Barry Jantz, Sherry Hodges
Sage Naumann, Local GOP ‘s Digital Manager…
The 2015 Lincoln-Reagan dinner wasn’t just successful — it was record-setting. A great deal of though and preparation on behalf of staff and volunteers went into putting together San Diego’s premier political event, and the outcome was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that included the chance to meet one of the Republican Party’s most electric elected officials, Senator Rand Paul. Best of all, the Republican Party of San Diego County expanded its ability to elect Republicans to every office in San Diego County — from school boards to Congress.
People to thank: Tony Krvaric, T.J. Zane, Rozanna Zane (Affairz Consulting), Matt Stockton, Zinko Photo and Gates Photography, Alex Seda (2015 Intern of the Year), David Chen, Alex and Lizzy Gabrielson, Mike and Ciara Hansen, and dozens of other great interns!
Last night’s Lincoln-Reagan Dinner was one of the best yet. The local GOP is on a fantastic trajectory, with a winning team, a winning message, and a lot of very dedicated people who are willing to work hard to make San Diego a better place.
Brian Pepin, winner of the GOP’s Legislative Staffer of the Year (pictured with wife Kim)…
The best part of the weekend’s dinner was seeing the incredible diversity of individuals who feel at home in our local party. I’ve been proud to be a part of this great story over the last decade; ever since I walked into my first campaign office looking for an internship. I was surprised and pleased to win the Wendell Cutting Award for Legislative Staff Member of the Year for my role as Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s liaison to the City Council. However, I truly believe each and every member of the Mayor’s incredible staff is equally deserving of the same recognition.
Michael Schwartz, recognized as the Coalition Builder of the Year (pictured with wife Laura)…
The event was an amazing mix of people from all walks of life and fun from beginning to end. I was proud to receive the Coalition Builder Award for 2015, but all the thanks goes to the many, many volunteers who stand side-by-side volunteering their time to help move the ball forward on Second Amendment issues.
Hon. Diane Harkey, Member of the State Board of Equalization…
Tony Krvaric and T.J. Zane are a dynamic duo leading San Diego’s reform team and putting California back on track to being a golden state.
The Lincoln-Reagan dinner was a magnificent celebration San Diego’s Republican leaders, volunteers, and supporters. Raising over $350,000, putting on first class dinner with close to 800 attendees, arranging a Republican Presidential candidate as your keynote speaker, and flying a drone inside the San Diego Bayfront Hilton is no small feat, but the San Diego Republican party does it with class and makes it look so easy.
Tony and Party spent a good portion of the evening recognizing top Republican volunteers and staff members. This exemplifies the strong grassroots effort San Diego has developed over the years and the acknowledgement that we win as a team. I am honored to be a part of Team GOP.
Eric Andersen, Rostra writer and RLC leader (pictured with wife Debbie)…
What impressed me most about Senator Paul, beyond the content of what he shared, was how authentic he came across.
He didn’t spend a moment behind the podium. He never looked at notes to make sure he was hitting the proper message points and he challenged each of us. He challenged us to think about the Bill of Rights and our commitment to them.
He spoke from his heart about some old fashioned ideas that once inspired and united a nation. They still inspire him and to be honest, they still inspire me.
No individual is speaking truth to power as this one from such a lofty and principled place.
Kudos to “Krvaric & Zane and Company” for a memorable night.
County Republican Party Chairman Tony Krvaric and Executive Director T.J. Zane present Senator Rand Paul with a Padres jersey, but not as the team’s new manager. Photo by Gage Skidmore.
Others recognized during the event:
Alex Seda, Intern of the Year
Sara Kamiab, Campaign Manager of the Year
John Hoy, Consultant of the Year
Solana Beach Councilmember Ginger Marshall, Local Elected Official of the Year
Mary Humphrey, Lifetime Achievement Award
Myssie McCann, Volunteer of the Year
Here’s Senator Paul’s flickrstream of the event.
Comments 7
Did he talk about the innocence of Edward Snowden, the need for color-blind law enforcement, or how American Middle East policy is responsible for terrorism?
Shoutout to Sage and Matt Stockton. They worked their butts off! Great to see so many SD Republicans together in one place.
“arranging a Republican Presidential nominee as your keynote speaker”
It might have been a slip but it looks like Mrs Harkey is going to #StandWithRand. She’s already got him facing off against Granny Hilary
This dinner was a huge success. Way to go Team Tony and TJ! Rand Paul knocked it out of the park with a thoughtful and well-reasoned talk about a re-commitment to the Bill of Rights. He will be a great Presidential candidate.
I had several conversations with local elected officials about the high quality and enthusiasm of the first time dinner attendees. Rand Paul and the Republican Liberty Caucus clearly appeal to a broader audience. Could many of these people be the same people who left the Party and are now DTS? We need to lock these people in. This is an awesome start to the 2016 campaign season.
Time to take back the country and California.
@Brian Brady, great point. Ms. Harkey clarified that she meant “…arranging a Republican Presidential candidate as your keynote speaker.” It’s been edited.
Great night! Thank you all for putting it together and congrats to the awardees!
“Ms. Harkey clarified”
That’s cool. Ill be asking her to endorse him. early next year though 😉