Meet the Delta College Republicans
By Andrew Hornbacher
The diverse political climate at Delta is being reflected through the new additions of the Delta College Democrats and the Delta College Republicans clubs. The clubs come as Delta is putting increased emphasis on improving student engagement in the democratic process.
Students led the initiatives, we met with the chairs of the clubs.
Rebecca Yager, an Engineering student and youth chair of the Saginaw County Republican Party, is leading the way for the Delta College Republicans. She had this to say:
Q: What does being a conservative mean to you?
A: Having traditional values [like] the values our grandparents had: strong family, Christian, strong father figure, etc.
Q: How long have you been politically active?
A: About a year. At the beginning of this year, I started leaning more [to the] right and questioned my beliefs. I am also the Saginaw County Republican Party youth chair.
Q: How have your views and values shifted over the past ten years?
A: I started out more Democratic and switched Republican. I felt as though my beliefs lined up more with the Republican party.
Q: What beliefs do you feel the strongest about?
A: God, guns, freedom and family.
Q: What made you start the Delta College Republicans?
A: The Saginaw County Republican Party wanted to have a good outreach at Delta. We want to be around people of a similar age with similar beliefs.
Q: What should people know about the group?
A: We are more than just a few conservatives. We have all the Republican candidates for the MI 35th [election] coming to speak with us.
Q: Are you guys going to be active at local events?
A: I would like for us to be active at [local] events.
Q: The College Republicans mission statement is ‘to empower and train the next generation of conservative leadership, while encouraging students to make their voice heard in the political arena.’ Can you expand on what ‘train’ means in this context?
A: Encourage our students to get out there, make sure people know the basics and maybe even work with local representatives.
Q: By ‘encouraging students to make their voice heard in the political arena,’ do you mean that you are open to debating groups or people that have opposing views on campus?
A: Yes. Me, personally, I am more than willing to talk about our differences. I can’t speak for other members.
Q: How frequently do you meet?
A: We are trying to do bi-weekly meetings at 5 p.m., but it’s tough with everyone’s schedules.
Q: Summarize what the Delta College Republicans is in your own words.
A: A group of like-minded individuals looking to engage democratically in the political process.
Q: Are you going to be reaching out to conservative groups for support?
A: Yes, we are going to have strong connections with all the local parties and groups.
Q: What does it mean to have a club for conservatives at Delta College?
A: It means a lot. It’s a step towards the open door to talk about our political beliefs openly, for conversation with opposing viewpoints. I think that’s really big.
Q: 25 years from now, what legacy do you see the Delta College Republicans having?
A: I really hope that we can inspire the future generation of leaders that stay active in politics.
Q: What would you say to those who’ve refused to identify with either major party and are instead looking for alternative political homes?
A: Look at the bigger picture of both parties, find their flaws, weigh them against each other. A new party would still have flaws.
Q: Would the Delta College Republicans be willing to work with the Delta Democrats on projects for the betterment of our school, campuses and communities?
A: Yes, we are fully willing to work with the Delta Democrats. How are we supposed to have a society if we refuse to work together? We may have different beliefs, but we don’t have to hate each other.
Q: Are there any misconceptions people have about young Republicans that you’d like to dispel?
A: I feel like young Republicans take on the misconceptions of the Republican party as a whole. I don’t want to be seen as hateful.
Q: What are some changes the Delta College Republicans would like to see around campus?
A: I think Delta did a really good job at being fair and neutral. I hope we can foster a space for conversation about our differences.
Q: What would you say to someone on the fence about joining the Delta College Republicans?
A: Come in for a meeting, see how it is, speak with us. I would encourage them to look at the Delta Democrats as well and do research to see what works for them.