Ripon Society Holds Discussion with Special Election Winners

WASHINGTON, DC — The Ripon Society hosted a breakfast discussion yesterday morning with the newest Members of the U.S. House of Representatives — the winners of four special elections that were held in Kansas, Georgia, South Carolina and Montana earlier this year.

The new Members included U.S. Representatives Ron Estes (KS-4), Karen Handel (GA-6), Ralph Norman (SC-5) and Greg Gianforte (MT-At Large).  The four were introduced at the discussion by U.S. Rep. Steve Stivers (OH-15), who serves as Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee.

“We appreciate Reps. Estes, Handel, Norman and Gianforte for joining us yesterday morning,” stated Jim Conzelman, the President & CEO of The Ripon Society.  “Their victories were hard fought to say the least, and reflect the fact that they were not only strong candidates, but that they each ran a very good campaign.  Beyond that, their victories reflect the fact the Republican message of strong defense, low taxes, and smaller, smarter government continues to have resonance among the American people.

“To that end, we also appreciate Chairman Stivers for taking the time to join us, as well.  As Chairman of the NRCC, one of his main jobs is to not only recruit candidates who believe in this message, but to make sure they have the support and resources that will help them win.  In this regard, his record is perfect this year, and he should be congratulated on a job well done.”

“Their victories were hard fought to say the least, and reflect the fact that they were not only strong candidates, but that they each ran a very good campaign.  Beyond that, their victories reflect the fact the Republican message of strong defense, low taxes, and smaller, smarter government continues to have resonance among the American people.”

According to Conzelman, yesterday’s breakfast discussion was attended by a crowd of over 70 people, and continues a series of discussions that The Ripon Society has hosted over the past several years with new Members of the House.  This past January, The Ripon Society hosted a discussion with 13 new Members to kick-off the 115th Congress.  The Society also hosted a discussion with 16 new Members to kick-off the 114th Congress in January of 2015.

Conzelman further noted that yesterday’s discussion was the 47th event The Ripon Society has hosted this year.  The next event is scheduled to be a breakfast discussion focusing on the U.S.-Cuba relationship.  The bipartisan discussion will feature U.S. Reps. Tom Emmer (R/MN-6), Kathy Castor (D/FL-14), and Darin LaHood (R/IL-18) and be held on Thursday, September 7th.  And on Thursday, September 28th, The Ripon Society will host a discussion on the House Republican agenda with: U.S. Rep. Mark Walker (NC-6), the Chairman of the Republican Study Committee; U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (PA-15), the Chairman of the Tuesday Group; and, U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (OH-4) the former Chairman of the Freedom Caucus.

The Ripon Society is a public policy organization that was founded in 1962 and takes its name from the town where the Republican Party was born in 1854 — Ripon, Wisconsin.  One of the main goals of The Ripon Society is to promote the ideas and principles that have made America great and contributed to the GOP’s success.  These ideas include keeping our nation secure, keeping taxes low and having a federal government that is smaller, smarter and more accountable to the people.

To view additional photos of yesterday’s luncheon discussion, please click here.