About The Republican Party of Merced County

Who We Are and Whom We Represent

The Republican Party of Merced County (RPMC) is the official Republican County Central Committee established under California law. We are not simply another Republican club or grassroots organization. We are the statutory governing body of the Republican Party within Merced County, entrusted with representing Republican voters throughout the county and advancing Republican principles, candidates, and causes.

Many people assume that a County Central Committee is just another political organization among many. In reality, California Elections Code specifically creates and governs Republican County Central Committees. Committee members are elected by Republican voters through the public election process, and their authority comes directly from state law.

Under California Elections Code, County Central Committees are authorized to organize party activities, conduct voter registration and Get-Out-The-Vote efforts, endorse candidates consistent with party rules, raise and spend funds, hold meetings, adopt bylaws, elect officers, enter contracts, and carry out activities that benefit the Republican Party. Federal election law also recognizes County Central Committees as official local party committees when engaging in federal election activity. For these reasons, the Republican Party of Merced County occupies a unique position within the Republican movement. We are the official county governing body of the Republican Party and serve as the recognized voice of Republican voters in Merced County.​

Our Relationship with Other Republican Organizations

Merced County is fortunate to have a number of Republican and conservative organizations that contribute to the advancement of our shared values. These include organizations such as the Merced County Republican Assembly, Republican Women of Merced County, Young Republicans, College Republicans, and various issue-oriented organizations.

Each of these organizations serves an important purpose. However, they are independent organizations governed by their own bylaws and memberships. While the Republican Party of Merced County works closely with these groups, it does not control them.

The RPMC cannot direct another organization's activities, remove its officers, control its finances, or determine whom it may endorse. Likewise, those organizations operate independently of the Central Committee. The effectiveness of these relationships depends largely on communication, cooperation, and leadership.

The distinction is important. The RPMC represents all registered Republicans in Merced County, while most other organizations represent their members. Because of this, the RPMC often serves as the coordinating body that brings Republican organizations together to pursue common goals such as voter registration, election integrity, candidate recruitment, fundraising, grassroots activism, and voter turnout.

Our objective is not to dominate other organizations, but to unite them. When Republican organizations communicate, cooperate, and work toward shared goals, Republican candidates and causes are far more successful.​

Representing Republicans Through Supervisorial Districts

The Republican Party of Merced County represents Republicans throughout the county by organizing itself according to the County's five Supervisorial Districts.

These districts correspond to the same geographic districts represented on the Merced County Board of Supervisors. Republican voters residing in each district elect Central Committee members to represent them within the official governing body of the Republican Party.

This structure ensures that every region of Merced County has a voice in party governance and decision-making. (All Supervisor Districts are considered non -partisan)

District 1 - Supervisor Jim Pacheco - Democrat

Communities include Livingston, Planada, Le Grand, El Nido, portions of Merced, and Santa Nella.

District 2 - Supervisor Josh Pedrozo - Democrat

Communities include central and southern portions of the City of Merced.

District 3 - Supervisor Daron McDaniel - Republican

Communities include Atwater, McSwain, Franklin-Beachwood, and northern portions of Merced.

District 4 - Supervisor Lloyd Pareira Jr. - Republican

Communities include Delhi, Hilmar, Winton, Ballico, Gustine, and portions of Atwater.

District 5 - Supervisor Scott Silveira - Republican

Communities include Los Banos, Dos Palos, South Dos Palos, and surrounding western Merced County communities.​

Current Central Committee Representation

Under California Elections Code, the number of Central Committee members elected from each district is determined by a formula based upon Republican voting strength within each district.

According to the Merced County Registrar of Voters, the current allocation of Republican County Central Committee seats is:

• District 1 — 3 Members

• District 2 — 5 Members

• District 3 — 5 Members

• District 4 — 5 Members

• District 5 — 4 Members

This creates a total of 22 elected members who collectively govern the Republican Party of Merced County.

The allocation is not based solely on population. State law allocates seats according to Republican voting strength within each district. As those numbers change over time, the allocation may also change.​

Why Voter Registration Matters

Every four years, during California's Presidential Primary Election, Republican voters elect their representatives to the Republican Party of Merced County Central Committee.

What many Republicans do not realize is that the number of Central Committee seats assigned to each district is not permanently fixed. District representation is tied to Republican voting strength. As Republican participation grows, districts can gain additional representation on the Central Committee.

This is why voter registration and voter turnout are among the most important responsibilities of every Central Committee member.

More Republican voters lead to more Republican votes. More Republican votes can result in additional Central Committee seats for a district. More seats mean more elected volunteers working on behalf of Republicans in that district.

When a district gains additional representation, the workload is shared among more people. Instead of a few volunteers attempting to cover an entire district, additional elected representatives can divide responsibilities such as voter registration, precinct organization, candidate recruitment, community outreach, fundraising, election integrity efforts, and Get-Out-The-Vote operations.

Simply put, stronger Republican performance creates stronger Republican representation.

Every Republican voter registered today helps build the foundation for future growth. Every additional seat earned gives a district more leadership, more manpower, more ideas, and a stronger voice within the Republican Party of Merced County.

For Central Committee members, the mission is clear: register Republicans, engage voters, increase turnout, and strengthen Republican representation. When we grow the Party, we also grow our ability to serve Republicans throughout Merced County.​

Our Responsibility

The members of the Republican Party of Merced County are more than party activists. They are elected representatives of Republican voters within their Supervisorial Districts.

Their responsibility is to listen to Republican voters, communicate local concerns, recruit and support Republican candidates, register new Republican voters, increase voter turnout, safeguard election integrity, and help build a stronger Republican Party throughout Merced County.

Central Committee members are the local leaders of the Republican Party. They serve as the connection between Republican voters, Republican candidates, local communities, and the Republican Party itself.

Above all, the Republican Party of Merced County exists to represent the interests, values, and voice of Republican voters throughout our county. We are committed to building a stronger party, electing Republican leaders, and ensuring that every Republican in Merced County has a voice in the future of our community, our state, and our nation.

Our Mission is Simple:  Represent Republicans. Register Republicans. Elect Republicans.

​-- Gene D. Johnson Jr., Chair, Republican Party of Merced County