Endorsements

“As Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, I’ve worked over the last 2-1/2 years with Jessi Rapelje Blakely, first as a stalwart YR warrior and now in her capacity as chair of the Young Republican Federation of Virginia (YRFV). Jessi has played a front-and-center leadership role in our state party and is uniquely qualified to lead the YRNF organization. She’s a seasoned and energy-directed servant-leader, who will listen to state YR organizations, focus on the grassroots YR mission, provide proven fundraising tools to state YR organizations, and empower the YRNF committee structure to create ideas and win elections. Virginia Republicans stand with Jessi Rapelje Blakely as the next YRNF chair!”

Rich Anderson

Chair, Republican Party of Virginia

“As Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, I know we need strong leaders willing to fight for our conservative principles. As Chair of the Young Republican Federation of Virginia, Jessi Rapelje Blakely has shown her ability to lead from the front, engage the grassroots, and get solid Republicans elected to office. Along with her team, she will bring the energy, vision, and experience needed to make the Young Republican National Federation battle ready for 2024. Her vision to empower and grow young leaders and state federations will ensure the Republican Party remains strong and effective for years to come. I’m proud to endorse Jessi Rapelje Blakely as the next chair of YRNF.”

Matt Rinaldi 

Chair, Republican Party of Texas

We as Republicans believe in In our constitutional freedoms, limited government and equal opportunities to succeed and raise our families according to our values.  Our power lies in being a bottom up movement led by local Republicans who should ideally be served by the party leadership we elect.   Jessi Blakely has proven over and over her respect for the power of grassroots activism, which is precisely why she has been so important to our wins in Virginia. 

Jessi unfailingly creates opportunities for people of channel their own talents and energy into winning elections.  Her enthusiasm and passion for saving Virginia – and our country – is contagious.  Good people want to be part of something important, and Jessi makes that happen. 

Jessi and the YRs were critical in recruiting and training candidates in 2021 and played a major part in electing three Republicans statewide and taking back our House of Delegates. In 2022, Jessi and the YR team again rose to the occasion, making Virginia one of the handful of states that flipped a US House seat to Republican hands.  

In 2023, the eyes of the nation are again on Virginia as we elect all 140 General Assembly seats and many hundreds of other key positions.  We are relying on Jessi and the YRs as a linchpin of our grassroots success…and they’ve never let us down. 

Success in 2024 will require accountable leadership that knows its purpose is to serve the grassroots…and not the other way around. Jessi’s passion for empowering ordinary patriots to accomplish extraordinary things is why she is the leader the YRs need for such a time as this.  I am tremendously proud of what Jessi has and will accomplish for our party and our nation.  I wholeheartedly endorse Jessi Blakely for YRNF Chair along with team Ascend, and I congratulate YRNF that a young woman of this high caliber is willing and ready to serve when we need her most. 

Patti Lyman 

RNC National Committeewoman for Virginia 

Vermont Republicans cherish self-governance, hard work, and unity. As such, I’m happy to endorse Samuel Douglass and Jessi Blakely for YRNF Assistant Secretary and YRNF National Chair respectively. Their unwavering commitment to hard work, strategic thinking, and their ability to get things done gives me hope for the future of the Republican party. I’m confident that we’ll see real progress and positive change, and I look forward to the direction that the YRNF will take with them at the helm.

Jay Shepard

RNC National Committeeman for Vermont

“As an alumnus of the College Republicans and Young Republicans, I know the importance of strong Young Republican organizations in activating and shaping the next generation of leaders. Jessi Rapelje Blakely has helped build the Young Republican Federation of Virginia (YRFV) into a respected grassroots force that trains members for party leadership, public service, and elected office. Through her efforts YRFV helped take back Virginia. Jessi and her team have laid out a clear vision to ensure that the Young Republican National Federation bolsters the efforts of State Federations across our country to train and equip the next generation of effective, principled servant-leaders. I am proud to endorse Jessi Rapelje Blakely in her candidacy for YRNF Chair!”

Jason Miyares
Attorney General of Virginia

When I first ran for state senate in 2018, I was anything but a political insider. The idea of seeking office had never crossed my mind. That all changed when the government wouldn’t allow me to exercise my 2nd Amendment right to protect myself and my family.

In 2022 we saw a tremendous amount of energy here in Rhode Island with young republicans like Ashley Kalus running for governor and roughly a dozen young republicans running for state and local offices. And in 2024 we will continue that momentum to win back seats from the town level and all the way up to the statehouse.

I’m proud to endorse not only Jesus Solorio, who has made waves in building up our party infrastructure here in Rhode Island, but also Bill Dumais and the entire Ascend slate. The Ascend team is the only slate that has demonstrated their ability to compete and win in both deep red, purple, and deep blue states like mine. I urge you to consider Bill, Jesus, and the rest of the team at this year’s convention in Dallas next week.

Jessica de la Cruz
State Senator from Rhode Island

“As Chief Deputy Senate Republican Leader, I am no stranger to the unique challenges of trying to pass well-vetted, common sense conservative solutions while in the minority in a blue state. I’m also no stranger to winning hard fought elections where, in some instances, candidates outspend my colleagues and I by 5 to 1 margins.”

“That being said, there is a need for young leaders in our party who care about delivering wins in states & districts other people often write off. It takes courage, creativity, tenacity, and enthusiasm to win when everything else seems to be going against you, and I firmly believe that the Ascend slate includes some of the most talented activists, strategists, and leaders in our party’s most important auxiliary organization.”

“I’m proud to not only endorse one of Connecticut’s native sons & fellow Nutmegger, Bill Dumais, as he runs for Assistant Treasurer, but for Jessi and all the other talented candidates on the Ascend slate. I know they will support our candidates and will offer the dynamic leadership needed to win in these battleground districts & states.”

Eric Berthel
State Senator for the 32nd District of Connecticut

“As Young Republicans who were elected to the state legislature, we firmly believe that strengthening the future of the Republican Party begins with empowering and elevating Young Republicans from the ground up.

Under Peter’s leadership of the New York State Young Republicans, more than three dozen Young Republicans have been elected to local, state, and federal office over the past two years and more than 60 have been recruited for the ballot this November. It is with pride that we endorse Peter Giunta for Northeast Region Vice Chair, along with Jessi Blakely and the entire YRNF Ascend slate to lead the Young Republican National Federation.”

“I first met Jessi in early 2016, where we both got our start as volunteers in Virginia. In 2021, Jessi Championed candidate recruitment, which had a direct impact on winning the governor’s mansion & the House of delegates

From mentoring Gen Z activists, to recruiting volunteers throughout the country, I strongly believe that Jessi & her mission-driven focus is what we need to win this November & beyond. That’s why I’m proud to endorse Jessi for YRNF Chair and team Ascend!”

“Our nation and our party need strong leaders now more than ever—leaders willing to stand on their faith and defend our conservative values. Jessi Rapelje Blakely has proven her willingness to stand up and fight for these principles. As Chairman of the Young Republican Federation of Virginia, she engaged the grassroots, recruited conservative candidates for office, and helped Republicans win back her home state. She is a woman of faith, who will work towards training up a generation of principled young men and women ready to be effective advocates for the restoration of faith, family, and the principles of our founding. I strongly support her to be the next Chair of the Young Republican National Federation!”

Jill Glover
Texas SD12 SREC Committeewoman