h/t to Jon Fleischman at the Flashreport for this important news: San Bernardino County's Ben Lopez will be ascending the the position of chair for the Young Republican Federation of California. Lopez has served as communications director for the GOP activist organization, one of the most dominant clubs in Republican Party politics and a voice for the Golden State's youth seeking a political movement committed to liberty, entrepreneurship, and a prosperous future.

I have known Ben Lopez since my early days as a party volunteer - which is to say, a whole lot longer than I care to remember, as I am now clearly "up there" in age! Needless to say, Ben Lopez is a committed party activist who is an unwavering conservative. No doubt he will lead with effectiveness, distinction, and continue the club's distinguished legacy of supporting candidates and causes committed to life, liberty and and free enterprise.

While Ben Lopez is unquestionably conservative, he simply likes to state that he's from the "Republican wing of the Republican Party." Which is to say that conservative principles are the root of the GOP. Imagine that...A conservative heading a conservative organization.  Who woulda thought?

Proving his commitment to the Republican Party, Ben Lopez was the GOP's standard bearer for the 61st Assembly District in 2006, where he won over 21,000 votes in his bid to defeat longtime Democratic legislator Nell Soto. Although Soto prevailed in an overwhelming Democratic seat, Lopez never shied away from sticking to his conscience and advocating his belief in strong families, lower taxes, less spending, and more freedom.

Attesting to Lopez's outstanding service to Republican Party and the proud history of the YRFC , here is Jon Fleischman's analysis, highlighted in red for more dramatic reading:

YRFC - PRINCIPLED CONSERVATIVES
I am often queried by folks about why we have two statewide Young Republican organizations in California.  I usually just tell people that that there used to be one group, the California Young Republicans, but that the leadership of that group, controlled by then Congressman Bill Thomas' political organization, cheated to keep the Chairmanship.  As a result, the real activists left to for the Young Republican Federation of California.  Nothing has changed much.  The former group is still small, and seems focused on titles, where the latter group is thriving and is focused on principled conservatism.  Proving my point, later this month the YRFC is having its state convention in Orange County, and the keynote speaker for their dinner on July 21st is none other than radio talk show host Dennis Prager.  For those who have not ever heard Prager speak in person, you will not want to miss this.  I have attached a registration form below.  At this convention, the baton of leadership will pass from Matt Harper to Ben Lopez -- congrats to you both.

I, too, join Jon in expressing congratulations to Ben on his chairmanship. I know what the YRFC means to Ben Lopez and I can honestly say, the esteemed membership pf the YRFC could not have a selected a more articulate voice to lead the organization into 2008!