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At the recent California GOP Convention, the state’s Republican party witnessed a significant shift in leadership, highlighting the ongoing tension between populist and establishment factions within the party. Thomas Cole, the 2024 Republican nominee for California’s 24th Congressional district, shared his firsthand experience as a voting delegate at the March convention.
Cole revealed that the current delegate composition stands at approximately 40% populist-aligned members, with the remaining 60% representing what he describes as “RINO” Republicans less aligned with Trump’s vision. The convention’s most notable outcome was the election of Corrin Rankin, a former Democrat, as the new California GOP Chair.
“Rankin had a bail funds business that was harmed by Democrat policy. Democratic lawmakers instituted a zero-bail policy in California, and it destroyed her business,” Cole told The Gateway Pundit exclusively.
Orange County has shown up BIG at our California GOP annual convention.
Grow.
Win.
Serve.Let’s go! pic.twitter.com/ps7QxUKZnn
— OC Republicans (@OCGOP) March 16, 2025
“So, Rankin was recruited by [Assistant US Attorney] Harmeet Dhillon to the GOP. She flipped from being an Obama Democrat only 3 or 4 years ago, to becoming Chair of the California GOP,” Cole said.
The populist wing rallied behind Mike Morrell, Cole’s preferred candidate, who ultimately secured 42.8% of nearly 1,400 votes, while Rankin emerged victorious with 57.2%. This marked a substantial improvement for the populist faction compared to 2019, when their candidate Steve Frank received only 14.7% of the vote.
“Morrell is MAGA, Christian, and pro-life; Rankin is more pro-choice. I am not convinced that Rankin is a patriot Republican, but I hope that she does well,” Cole said.
A Trump truck caravan passes by the front of the California state Republican Party convention in Sacramento to both cheers and obscenities shouted at them. Then the trucks turn to drive past the state capitol. pic.twitter.com/khiNpU1FzD
— Richie Greenberg (@greenbergnation) March 15, 2025
Cole, who previously ran for California GOP Chair in 2022, expressed concerns about the party’s financial management, noting that half of their $20 million annual budget goes to consultants rather than supporting candidates and ballot initiatives. He emphasized the need to focus on key issues such as education reform, border security, job creation, and regulatory reduction.
The convention highlighted the stark divide within California’s Republican party, where populist initiatives often face resistance from what Cole describes as a more liberal wing favoring increased government intervention and taxation. Despite these differences, Cole noted that the convention maintained a “very festive atmosphere,” suggesting potential for future unity within the party.
“Steve Frank, our stalwart, Simi Valley conservative Republican, is like the lead element of our populist, Constitutionalist movement in California,” Cole said.
The gathering demonstrated both the growing strength of populist Republicans in California and the challenges they face in achieving their policy objectives within the state party structure.
