About The Oklahoma Federation of College Republicans

OKFCR recruits and mobilizes college students to deliver votes, volunteers and victory to Republican candidates.  We also promote the conservative values and agenda of the Republican Party on college campuses. The Oklahoma Federation of College Republicans has a proud history of making a difference.

We have performed thousands of hours of volunteer work on behalf of candidates at every level of government. Oklahoma College Republicans have knocked doors, made phone calls, stuffed envelopes, put out signs and waved them, too.

Our efforts the last two election cycles have contributed to the historic gains Republicans have made in Oklahoma.

In 2004, we were the first College Republican state federation to create and air a TV commercial, which contributed to the election of Senator Tom Coburn.  That year we performed over 10,000 hours of volunteer work, and were a critical part of the 72 Hour Task Force that mobilized Republican voters.

In recognition of our efforts, the College Republican National Committee named Oklahoma the Best State Federation at its National Convention in 2005!

In 2006, we helped Oklahoma Republicans defy national trends and maintain our majority in the state House while gaining seats in the Senate, leading to a historic tie between the parties.

We helped make history in the 2008 elections, delivering votes, volunteers and victory as Republicans won control of the state Senate for the first time in Oklahoma history and every county went for John McCain.

In 2019, the Oklahoma Federation of College Republicans (OKFCR) initiated a major modernization campaign aimed at expanding the state federation. This pivotal effort was spearheaded by Chairman Mark Salva, who recognized the need for a revitalized approach to engage a new generation of Republicans. Salva’s vision positioned OKFCR to emerge as a leader in the modernization of College Republicans at a national level, paving the way for future successes.

However, in 2020, the federation faced significant challenges when Chairman Jonathan Hernandez was implicated in a crime that severely tarnished the reputation of OKFCR. Under his leadership, the federation was removed from the College Republican National Committee (CRNC) due to corruption within the national organization, which was perceived as an attempt to silence Oklahoma’s voice on the national stage. The situation escalated when Hernández was found to have engaged in unethical behavior that undermined the integrity of the organization, leading to widespread disillusionment among members.

The fallout from this scandal resulted in numerous colleges across Oklahoma severing their ties with CR chapters chartered through the CRNC, which halved the chapter count from 16 to just 8. This significant reduction highlighted the struggle to maintain engagement and cohesion within the federation amidst turmoil.

During this challenging period, the State Board decided to freeze elections, which would not resume until April 2023. Under the subsequent administration of Braden Burns, efforts were made to restore relationships frayed by the earlier scandal involving Hernandez, especially with leadership changes that had driven members away from OKFCR. Despite these attempts, Burns’s administration struggled to reinvigorate the federation, focusing instead on the logistics of having Oklahoma join the National Federation of College Republicans (NFCR).

In April 2024, Connor Tranquill was elected Chairman, injecting new energy into OKFCR. Under his leadership, the organization not only regained one chapter but also engaged in substantial grassroots efforts, knocking on 1,000 doors for candidates and various groups statewide. Tranquill shifted the focus towards rebuilding and revitalizing the federation, picking up where Mark Salva had left off.

He launched a comprehensive modernization campaign that required rebuilding the organization’s foundation. This included rewriting the constitution and restoring the website—tasks made necessary after crucial documents had been lost during the previous turmoil. Under Tranquill’s proactive leadership, OKFCR began to re-establish itself as a formidable force in the state’s political landscape, eager to engage young Republicans and prepare for the future.

Whether we’re making a difference by campaigning, or traveling to DC, the Oklahoma Federation of College Republicans is always having fun! — Join the Party!