CRA Defies Newsom’s ‘Travel Ban,’ Funds University Chem-E-Car Team’s Trip to Florida

The College Republicans of America secured a massive win over California Governor Gavin Newsom earlier this month, successfully sending the California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Chem-E-Car Team across the country in spite of a statewide “travel ban” against DeSantis’s Florida, and ending the ban altogether.

The travel ban, known as “AB 1887,” prohibited state funding for travel to more than 26 states that were considered to have “discriminatory” policies. When Cal Poly Pomona, a public university, needed state money to send a team of student engineers to Florida for a Chem-E-Car national competition, the administration bowed to Newsom’s order - but CRA stepped up to the plate.

Setting aside any partisan differences, the College Republicans of America started an aggressive fundraising campaign on their behalf. Simultaneously, the group organized a publicity campaign against the unjust law. Having raised thousands of dollars and spread awareness of the law, the time for Cal Poly Pomona’s competition in Florida came, and, with CRA funding filling their tanks, the team was able to participate.

Compounding the massive success, Newsom went on to repeal the AB 1887 “travel ban” in mid-September following intense scrutiny from Republican lawmakers, constituents, and CRA member schools in California, drummed up by CRA’s publicity efforts.

CRA President Will Donahue said the challenge was the first test of his new direction for the College Republicans. “This type of charity work is atypical for college republicans and PACs in general, however, part of my mission for CRA is to take us in a direction that emphasizes community service,” Donahue explained. “This wasn’t about political orientation, it was about doing right by students when radical progressive policy restricts their ability to flourish academically. I’m very thankful that our donors shared our distaste for AB 1887 and helped us in our efforts to send the team to Orlando.”

Donahue went on to say that the College Republicans of America are in the “vanguard” of the fight to reclaim American academia from the radical left.

“When College Republicans fight for common sense policy solutions, we can make a difference on a massive scale… CRA is in the vanguard of the war to retake our universities. When we raise our voice, people listen.”

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