Build PAYR

10/09/2023

⭐️ Meet our appointee for Executive Director! ⭐️

Jake Taylor is the Chairman of the York County Young Republicans. In that role, he has been focused on growing the chapter into one of the largest and most active memberships in the state. Currently Jacob works for Congressman Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) as District Outreach Coordinator and serves as an advisor on the Dave Sunday for Attorney General campaign. Last year, Jake served as Chair of the PAYR Elections Committee, where he helped coordinate deployments across the commonwealth. Additionally, Jake was elected in 2022 to serve on Republican State Committee representing York County. Jake is the Build PAYR ticket's choice to be appointed for the role of Executive Director to the Pennsylvania Young Republicans. We are very lucky to have Jake on the Build PAYR team and are confident he will serve well in this crucial role. 🇺🇸🐘

“It's an honor to be a part of ticket. I believe that with the team Rep. Kutz is building and the wealth of experience each person brings, we have the opportunity to be the best YR state federation in the country. I look forward to helping make that vision a reality as we fight to ensure YRs have the tools to become leaders across our Commonwealth.”

10/08/2023

⭐️ Meet our candidate for PAYR National Committeewoman! ⭐️

Allie Kutz has served as National Committeewoman for the Pennsylvania Young Republicans since 2020 and currently serves as acting Chair of the Cumberland County Young Republicans. Elected in 2022, Allie serves on Republican State Committee, representing Cumberland County. Originally a native of York County, Allie has been involved in Republican politics since college, as she co-founded the Elizabethtown College Republicans and served as a Regional Director for the PA Federation of College Republicans. Allie also served as Director of Engagement for the York County Young Republicans for several years, including when the chapter won PAYR's Outstanding Social Media Award in 2022.

Allie is an experienced political professional, having served in a variety of positions, including as a Regional Field Director for the Scott Wagner for Governor campaign and as a political fundraising professional for Maverick Finance in Harrisburg. Allie continues to work with state and local candidates professionally in the areas of fundraising, campaign strategy, and graphic design. In addition to her political experience, Allie has experience in state government, previously having worked as Legislative Director to State Rep. Kate Klunk. Currently, Allie is the Director of Government Relations for the PA Association of Community Bankers, where she leads the advocacy strategy and ex*****on for the statewide trade association.

A proud graduate of the Anne B. Anstine Excellence in Public Service Series, Allie has served as a local precinct Republican committeewoman since college and has a passion for giving back to her community through servant leadership. Allie was recognized for her work with the PA Young Republicans' Female Leader of the Year award in 2021 for her dedication to serving PAYR and the Republican Party. Allie lives in Mechanicsburg with her husband, Thomas, and their goldendoodle, Camden. 🇺🇸🐘

10/08/2023

Meet our candidate for PAYR National Committeeman! ⭐️

State Representative Torren Ecker was elected in 2018 to represent the citizens of the 193rd Legislative District spanning Adams and Cumberland Counties. Torren currently serves as Vice Chair of the House Republican Campaign Committee and Vice Chair of the PA House Republican Policy Committee. Torren has also served as a board member for the Cumberland County Young Republicans since 2020 and is Chairman of our Young Legislators Caucus in the PA House of Representatives.

From a young age, Torren took interest in local politics and improving his community. Raised with an appreciation for hard work and service to his neighbors, he volunteered at Jefferson Volunteer Fire Company. Torren is a first-generation college student and graduated from George Mason University with a bachelor’s degree in government. During his time at GMU, he worked on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. for Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis (R-VA). After college, he attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Michigan where he graduated with honors before returning home to south-central Pennsylvania to start a career and family.

Torren began practicing law at a local private law firm in Hanover, and today he continues to represent families, veterans, farmers, seniors, non-profits and small businesses on a wide array of legal matters in Adams, Cumberland and York counties. Torren lives with his wife and high school sweetheart, Laura, and two children, Addy and Oliver, in New Oxford in Adams County. Torren is truly a star of the Republican Party, and we are ecstatic to have him joining the Build PAYR slate as our candidate for National Committeeman. 🇺🇸🐘

10/07/2023

⭐️ Meet our candidate for PAYR Secretary! ⭐️

Shawn Gamble hails from Berks County and has been working to support conservative causes for years as Chairman of the Berks County Young Republicans. Shawn's professional experience in Republican politics began as an intern for Congressman Dan Meuser's official office working on numerous constituent issues, eventually becoming a Field Representative where he coordinated engagement with stakeholders throughout PA's 9th congressional district. Currently, Shawn is the Government Relations Officer for Visions Federal Credit Union, where he leads advocacy efforts and political engagement throughout Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey.

Shawn currently serves as Director of Grassroots for the Black Conservative Federation. In this role, Shawn led an impressive minority field program for the Presidential election in 2020 and the Georgia Senate run-off elections. He also works to launch state charters across the United States, including right here in Pennsylvania. Shawn has worked tirelessly to elect strong Republican candidates up and down the ballot, and was elected to serve on Republican State Committee representing Berks County. If elected, Shawn is also the Build PAYR ticket's choice to be appointed to the role of Recruitment Director. Shawn is also active in his community as a board member for the YMCA of Reading and Berks County. Shawn is a wonderful addition to our Build PAYR team, and we can't wait to see all the great work he will continue to do for the Republican Party. 🇺🇸🐘

10/07/2023

⭐️ Meet our candidate for PAYR Treasurer! ⭐️

Rebecca Ream-Weigle is a York County native and has been involved with the Young Republicans since 2016 in many roles, including as PAYR Events Committee chair and Administrative Director for the York YRs. Becca is a part-owner of her family’s business, Ream Printing Company Inc., which recently celebrated 35 years of business. She is also the principal of her own fundraising and consulting firm, R&W Partners, LLC, where she works with Republican elected officials, candidates and organizations from across Pennsylvania to maximize their fundraising and campaign efforts. Rebecca also served as Scheduling & Logistics Coordinator for the Scott Wagner for Governor race, excelling in an incredibly complex and demanding role for the campaign. She also was elected in 2022 to serve on Republican State Committee representing York County. Rebecca was recognized recently by the York Daily Record on its 2022 list of York County's Most Influential People in politics. 🎉

In addition to her many accomplishments, Becca has served as treasurer to several political action committees, including the York County Young Republicans and Citizens for Excellence in Education which represents a group of Republicans running for Central York School Board in York County. Becca will bring these years of experience to her role as PAYR Treasurer with accurate record keeping, timely reporting, and adherence to PA Department of State requirements. Becca lives in York with her husband and adorable two-year old son. We are so fortunate to have Becca on the Build PAYR team as our candidate for Treasurer, and we are sincerely grateful for her many years of service to the Republican Party. 🇺🇸🐘

10/06/2023

⭐️ Meet our candidate for PAYR Vice Chair! ⭐️

Andrea Raffle is a member of the Luzerne County Young Republicans and has served on their Executive Committee for the past seven years. She has served as the PAYR Treasurer for the past three years. Andrea has worked in Republican politics for over 10 years both as official legislative staff as well as for campaigns, PACs, and committees. She currently is the Pennsylvania State Director for the Leadership Institute and travels across Pennsylvania, as well as other states, to train conservative activists to be effective in the public policy process.

As PAYR Vice-Chair, Andrea’s top priority will be to establish new Young Republican chapters across the commonwealth and foster growth within our existing chapters. By expanding our reach across Pennsylvania, we will be able to connect with more Young Republican voters as well as build upon our wonderful group of YR elected officials! Andrea is uniquely equipped to recruit, train, and elect the next generation of leaders. She is fantastic addition to the Build PAYR slate, and we are so grateful for her continued dedication to the Young Republicans! 🇺🇸🐘

09/30/2023

⭐️ Meet our candidate for Co-Chairman! ⭐️

Hailing from Allegheny County, Sam Miclot brings a broad range of experience and knowledge to the Build PAYR ticket. As a Government Relations Analyst at K&L Gates in Pittsburgh, Sam takes an innovative and highly pragmatic approach to politics as usual. Prior to joining K&L Gates, Sam served as co-founder and partner of a Pittsburgh-based government relations firm that focused on grant procurement, education, and emerging technologies. He previously served as campaign manager for Congressman Keith Rothfus’ reelection campaign and as chief of staff to State Rep. Eli Evankovich in the General Assembly.

Sam also worked for the House Republican Campaign committee and is excited to get to work amplifying young voices in our party. A true young gun in Pennsylvania politics, we are so thrilled to have Sam on the ticket running for Co-Chairman of the PA Young Republicans. Sam lives in Aspinwall, PA with his wife Veronica, their Newfoundland, Penelope, and cat, Mister Kitty.

09/20/2023

⭐️ Meet our candidate for PAYR State Chairman! ⭐️

State Representative Thomas Kutz is from Cumberland County and serves the 87th legislative district in the PA House of Representatives. An attorney by trade, Thomas has served as Co-Chairman of the Pennsylvania Young Republicans for the past three years and served as Cumberland County Young Republicans Chairman for three years. 🇺🇸

Thomas has worked to elect Young Republicans at the local, state, and federal level since he was a high school student. In 2019, Thomas was elected Lower Allen Township Commissioner to serve his hometown community, serving for three years. Thomas was awarded the PAYR Young Republican Leader of the Year Award in 2019 and led the Cumberland County YRs to receive the PAYR Chapter of the Year distinction in 2020. Elected to the PA House to represent central Cumberland County in 2022, Thomas and his wife Allie live in Mechanicsburg with their golden doodle, Camden.

As PAYR State Chairman, Thomas's has bold goals, including to help build and empower a team of young leaders who will lead Republicans back to legislative majorities and continue to help PA’s voter registration trend towards Republicans. Thomas believes the role of PAYR is vital to the Keystone State delivering Republican wins up and down the ballot in 2024 and beyond. In building PAYR, Thomas’s goals are to:
✅ Increase chartered chapters by 25%
✅ Build overall membership growth by 50%
✅ Elect more YRs to state and local offices
✅ Elect more YRs to serve on party leadership, state committee, and as RNC delegate
✅ Increase personal and professional development opportunities for all PAYR members
✅ Provide vital resources and hands-on logistical support for Young Republican candidates running for office
✅ Expand the scope of PAYR to provide more personal connection and support opportunities for members in their roles as young parents, spouses, first-time homebuyers, business owners, and more

08/19/2023

Tonight in Dallas, our candidate for Chair Rep. Thomas Kutz was honored at the Young Republican National Convention as part of the 2023 Class of inductees for the Young Republican National Federation 1856 Society. Our candidate for National Committeeman Rep. Torren Ecker was inducted in 2021 and is part of our Pennsylvania Delegation to the Republican National Convention this week.

This evening, three Pennsylvania Young Republicans were inducted into the 1856 Society at YRNC Dallas — Rep. David Rowe, Rep. Robert Leadbeter, and Rep. Thomas Kutz. Also pictured is Rep. Torren Ecker who was inducted at our last convention. We are so proud of the accomplishments of these four YRs. They are State Representatives, community leaders, and strong conservative voices fighting for the values we all share. Thank you to the Young Republican National Federation for recognizing their achievements with this honor and celebrating all the work they will continue to do for the conservative movement in Pennsylvania. Thank you to these four leaders for all you do and for joining us in Dallas for convention. 🇺🇸🐘

08/07/2023

WE'RE IN! Today, we are thrilled to announce our team's candidacy to lead the Pennsylvania Young Republicans organization. Our “Build PAYR” ticket showcases a regionally diverse group of grassroots leaders who are ready to answer the call. This team of Young Republicans stand at the ready to make our Commonwealth more competitive and more attractive for young families and business innovation, while paving the way for a new generation of conservative voices. We are committed to lead the effort to recruit and train Young Republicans from across our Commonwealth to run for public office and make a difference in their communities. Together, we will unite young conservative leaders and build a Pennsylvania that future generations will be proud to call home. 🐘🇺🇸

Please like/share this page with a friend to spread the word and join the movement! 👍 Stay tuned for posts over the next several weeks introducing each of the outstanding members of our team. 📣

08/04/2023

❗️BIG ANNOUNCEMENT NEXT WEEK❗️🎉 Make sure you like and follow us on Facebook and Instagram so you don't miss out. Share this with a friend who is a young patriot! 🇺🇸🐘⤵️