CRC 2023 CANDIDATE GREG LOPEZ

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Greg Lopez

1-3-2023 Update - Greg has decided not to run for Chairman. 

Questions for CRC Officer Candidates

Responses will be posted at MyColoradoGOP.org

Do you support the following?

Y or N     1. National GOP’s Platform and Colorado Republican Committee (CRC) Bylaws - Y

Y or N     2. Revive or refile the lawsuit to close the primaries (must issue an Amicus Brief in support) -  Y

Y or N     3. A resolution to support any and all domestic lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of

                     mail in ballots. - Y

Y or N     4. The Caucus/Assembly system - Y

Y or N     5. All GOP Efforts for Election Integrity - Y

Y or N     6. Elimination of Hybrid Organizational meetings and use of electronic voting equipment for                              election of officers - Y

Y or N     7. Sovereignty of all Colorado GOP organizations - Y

Y or N     8. Transparent, Independent, and Open audit of all CRC financials - Y

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Position Questions:

Please respond in writing to the following:

1. What is your position on Trump as the Presidential Candidate?

I am not opposed to President Trump becoming the Presidential Candidate in 2024, however, I believe there are other individuals that should also be strongly considered as they have the experience and the ability to be the face and voice of the Republican Party and lead our nation back to freedom and prosperity.

2. Which office are you seeking?

              Actively evaluating -

Chairman/CEO of Colorado Republican State Central Committee (CRC)

3. Why do you want to run?

I want to be the voice and face of the Republican party and use my skills, talents, and speaking abilities to oversee the restoration of the Colorado Republican State Central Committee (CRC) back to its long overdue prominence in helping Republican candidates get elected and stop Colorado from becoming the “ugly twin sister” of California.

I want to see the CRC aggressively promote and stand strong with the Republican values and beliefs which are impeded in the U.S. Constitution.

4. Are you currently employed, if so as what?

My wife and I are the owners of a small business that deals with medical equipment logistics.

5. Is there anything in your past that may be embarrassing?

Embarrassing? No, we all live our lives as best we can, and we all make mistakes. My past has been in the public square for several years. When asked, I openly talk about those events and answer all questions as I hope others will learn from my past.

6. What do you see as the major/minor problems with the CRC?

A. List the Order of Importance

Due to lack of leadership in several areas, the CRC has become ineffective and has lost sight of its purpose and mission.

B. How would you fix them?

  • Rebrand the Republican party and develop a message that will unify the party into one united voice that can inspire action and get results.
  • As the Chairman/CEO of the CRC, the number one focus is to bring cohesion within the elected officers, the executive committee, the members of the CRC and registered republicans.
  • Enhance the prominence and involvement of the Vice-Chairman and Secretary in all CRC decisions, activities, and business of the CRC.
  • I would ask the Vice-Chairman, and Secretary to join me in a listening tour across the state and visit with members of the CRC in groups as outlined in the bylaws.
  • Ensuring that the CRC bylaws are followed and that the standing committees: audit, bylaws, credentials, and the independent expenditure committees fulfill their duties in a timely manner will be essential as we rebuild the effectiveness of the CRC.
  • I will evaluate the past performance of all staff members and paid consultants to determine if any changes need to be made.
  • I will make all necessary changes to ensure that every individual involved in the organization is driven by a strong personal commitment to the success of the CRC and not by any financial motivation.
  • Share with all CRC members the current CRC policy pertaining to “conflicts of interest’ and recommend any necessary changes to the Executive Committee to ensure that the policy be applicable to all representatives on CRC committees, CRC staff, and any individual or organization conducting business with the CRC.
  • Share with all CRC members the current CRC policy pertaining to “assuring integrity of voting and elections at the CRC” and recommend any necessary changes to the Executive Committee to ensure that the policy re-establishes trust in CRC elections.
  • Establish the following special committees: CRC platform, grassroots fundraising, outreach – minority, veteran, Christian, small business owners and unaffiliated voters.
  • Recommend to the Executive Committee to approve a resolution officially recognizing the Colorado Hispanic Republicans (CHR) as an affiliated organization to the CRC membership for a formal vote.
  • Form alliances and coalitions with political and non-political organizations.

7. What past CRC actions have you objected to?

  • The Executive Committee not mandating the Chairman/CEO, and the CRC attorney to honor and respect the CRC membership vote and fulfilling the CRC membership directive to challenge the constitutionality of the “open primaries”.
  • The Executive Committee improperly interfering in the decisions and actions of county central committees.
  • The elected leadership and the members of the Executive Committee not publicly defending the rights of individuals to question the integrity of the election process and to promote election reforms.
  • Members of the Executive Committee and elected leadership not standing up to defend Republicans from unwarranted attacks from the media, democrat elected officials or liberal organizations and correcting the narrative of who we are and who we fight for.
  • The Executive Committee and elected leadership not adhering to the “rule of law” and allowing the judicial system to fulfill its mission of “due process” before publicly asking a candidate to step aside.
  • Members of the Executive Committee and/or the Chairman/CEO encouraging or engaging in derogatory conversation towards Republican candidates/county elected central committee officers/individuals on social media, radio, and other communication outlets.

8. What changes need to be made to the CRC Party Platform?

              The CRC does not have a state party platform.  We need to create one ASAP. 

9. What changes need to be made to the CRC Bylaws?

I have ideas on some potential recommended changes to the CRC Bylaws, however, I have not had the opportunity to properly scrutinize and evaluated the implications of these possible changes so I will refrain from sharing them at this time.  However, I will always support changes to the bylaws that bring unity, clarity, and transparency to CRC mission, purpose, elections, and decision-making process. 

 

10. Your thoughts on Open Primaries

I oppose the “Open Primaries” as they have successfully diluted the voice of registered Republicans. 

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that “Open Primaries” are unconstitutional and violate the rights of party member organizations. 

The “open primaries" are undermining the loyalty of candidates to the Republican platform. Due to the low number of registered Republicans in the state, many candidates feel they must abandon the platform and need to cater to the values and beliefs of the “unaffiliated” voters to get elected. 

We must re-instate the “closed” primary in Colorado for two reasons. 

First, it is unconstitutional and since its adoption it is unclear as to who is selecting the Republican candidates in the primary races.

Secondly, the election results over the last several election cycles make it clear that the rational for embracing the “open” primaries are flawed, unfounded and ill-advised.

11. Your thoughts on Petitioned Candidates

A. Should CRC money be spent to support them?

While I am not an advocate of the petition process, it is legal in Colorado.  The petitioned primary ballot candidates are selected by obtaining a set number of signatures from ONLY registered Republicans. 

The CRC needs to identify a set amount of money  to be set aside to be equally divided and given to the campaigns of all state-wide candidates on the primary ballot to use at their discretion, regardless how they got onto the ballot.

The CRC must also predominantly spend its money promoting the principles and values of the Republican party to all registered voters and making the argument that the Republican party is for the people and stands against government controlling the lives of individuals which will help all candidates up and down the ballot.

12. When legal counsel is retained by CRC, who does that counsel represent?

If funds are being expended by the CRC for legal counsel, it is the fiduciary responsibility of the Chairman/CEO to ensure that the counsel is representing the best interests of  the CRC organization as a whole and not the wishes of one or more individuals.

13. How would you work with the Rural and Urban GOP County chairs?

As a state-wide candidate, I saw and heard first-hand the different challenges both Rural and Urban GOP County Chairs face.  As the Chairman/CEO of the CRC, it is my job to collaboratively work with county chairs to find ways to resolve conflict, identify resources, share best practices, and lead initiatives that will enhance the purpose and mission of electing Republicans into county office.

14. How will you be informing the rank-and-file Republicans?

First and foremost, I will make sure that the CRC offices are open to the public daily and that we have a live person always answering the phones.  All CRC staff and elected leadership will be required to return all phone calls, texts, and emails within 48 hours and answer all questions to the best of their ability. 

I will seek to utilize a communication tool, such as constant contacts, zoom, or similar platform and have each of the elected leadership take turns hosting a state-wide weekly hour-long call for the rank-and-file to provide updates, take questions, hear suggestions, and hear constructive criticism.

The elected leadership will take turns in speaking on public radio to provide updates to all registered  Republicans.

15. How will you insure fair elections within the party?

Transparency is the key to insuring fair elections within the party. It is imperative that everyone trust our election process.

16. How will you insure transparency in future actions of the CRC?

While the CRC is not a public entity, I do believe it is wise to utilize the same process and procedures utilized by public entities when seeking to insure transparency.

  • Posting of agendas, dates, and times of all CRC standing committee meetings will be made available to CRC members ONLY.
  • ONLY CRC members, and/or a guest accompanied by the CRC member will be allowed to attend any standing committee meeting.
  • All CRC standing committee meetings agendas will allow non-committee members to address the committee for 4 minutes, on any issue on or not on the agenda, prior to the any discussion on agenda items.
  • Minutes and/or audio recordings of all meetings of standing committees will be available to all CRC members ONLY.

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Responses will be posted at MyColoradoGOP.org