HALL OF FAME
GACR has produced some of the best political minds in the Nation. Hall of Fame reflects the Best of the Best.
NICK AYERS
Former Chief of Staff to Vice President Mike Pence
Nick Ayers served as Chief of Staff to Vice President Mike Pence between July 2017 and January 2019. He had previously served as national chairman for Pence's vice-presidential campaign in 2016, and as the former executive director of the Republican Governors Association from 2007 to 2010.
In 2010, Ayers was named as one of Time's 40 most influential people in politics under the age of 40. He also was principal of the lobbying firm C5 Creative Consulting, and is one of four leading figures in America First Policies, a pro-Trump nonprofit organization founded in January 2017.
An early indicator that Nick was a natural leader was when he arrived on campus at Kennesaw State University and quickly became chapter chairman as a freshman. Then soon after became state chairman. As college students, Nick and his good friend Paul Bennecke were driven to elect Republicans. Nick and Paul organized young voters like we’ve never seen before in politics to elect Sonny Perdue, Georgia’s first republican governor since reconstruction.
PAUL BENNECKE
Former Executive Director of the Republican Governors Association
Paul Bennecke is a one of the most intelligent political consultants for candidates of the Republican Party, is the former Executive Director of the Republican Governors Association (RGA). He was appointed to that position in December 2014 and ended his term December 31, 2018, having previously served as Deputy Executive Director and Political Director of the RGA from January 2007 to January 2011.
For the 2018 cycle, Under Bennecke's leadership, the RGA raised and spent a record $180 million when 38 gubernatorial elections where up. RGA won 20 of the 36 states in 2018 including battleground contests in Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Iowa, and Arizona. Despite huge headwinds for the GOP, unprecedented funding from democratic aligned groups, and a record number of open-seat and incumbent defends, the RGA successfully held on to a majority of the states.
ERICK ERICKSON
National Conservative Syndicated Radio Host
Erick Erickson national conservative syndicated radio host is one of the most hosts in the country and has been the voice of evening drive time on WSB for ten years. His 9am to noon show is his own, which he syndicates. The show has grown to almost 20 stations in its first year and transmits via Premiere XDS.
Erick Erickson began his College Republican journey at Mercer University. He also founded and started the Georgia Association of College Republicans in 1996 and became our first state chairman.
ELLIOTT ECHOLS
Political Director for GOP
As College Republican, Elliott was a chapter chairman at Berry College, then state chairman, and Elliott served as a Regional Political Director for the College Republican National Committee in Washington, DC where he managed part of the largest field program in the organization’s history.
Elliott became the first-ever RNC National Youth Director, with the mission to build a grassroots infrastructure with the under-30 community by engaging with young voters in their communities, strengthening the party’s ties with College Republicans and Young Republicans and working with state parties to have a permanent presence across the country.
First RNC National Youth Director, 2015-2015; Director, Republican Leadership Initiative, 2015-2017; GA-06 Director - oversaw Handel-Ossoff election, 2017, GA State Director for GOP, 2017; Deputy National Field Director, 2017; National Field Director for GOP, 2019-2021. Elliott is now the Political Director for the GOP in Washington, DC.
RALPH REED
Chair & Executive Director of Faith and Freedom Coalition
Ralph Reed is founder and chairman of the Faith & Freedom Coalition. He was senior advisor to the Bush-Cheney campaigns in both 2000 and 2004, and chairman of the Southeast Region for BC04. As chairman of the Georgia Republican Party he led the GOP to its biggest victory in history, helping to elect the first Republican Governor and third U.S. Senator since Reconstruction. Reed is chairman and CEO of Century Strategies, LLC, a public relations and public affairs firm. As executive director of the Christian Coalition from 1989-1997, he built one of the most effective public policy organizations in recent political history. He is the best-selling author and editor of six books. He is married to his wife Jo Anne and is the father of their four children.
Ralph had a very decorated College Republican career climbing all the way to the highest levels of called Republican politics. He became chapter chair at the University of Georgia - the largest chapter in the nations, then went on to be elected as state chairman, anf finally serving as CRNC Executive Director.
CHUCK EFSTRATION
Georgia House Majority Leader
Georgia House Representative (R-104)
A proven public servant as both a former prosecutor and indigent defense counsel, Chuck is today a partner in the Gwinnett County firm of McGarity & Efstration, LLC. Chuck grew up in the Hamilton Mill community and graduated from Greater Atlanta Christian School. Chuck holds degrees from the University of Georgia and Mercer Law School. Chuck previously served as president of the Gwinnett County Bar Association and chairman of the Gwinnett County Republican Party. Chuck is married to Ashley Efstration and they have two sons. Chuck is an Eagle Scout and a Christian.
