Thread by @Kevin_Faulconer

I’m here at the @NewWayCA 2019 Summit with a simple message: We have an obligation to offer California a @CAGOP with broad appeal again – because a vibrant, competitive two-party system is essential for our state.

California prides itself on being a place where innovation is born.

It’s time for our party to tap into that bold attitude – and modernize itself as a party in step with the residents we want to represent.

The @CAGOP must not be a carbon copy of the national GOP.

Each state is a unique laboratory of democracy, and California Republicans need to create a party tailored to the people of California.

A lot of folks are talking about our party’s problems.

Some are even suggesting we create a new party.

I am not one of them.

Instead of looking to Washington for the way forward, or trying to invent something entirely new, we should look to our roots.

When I first started talking about this a few years ago, I said our party needs to take action. Today, our party needs an intervention.

We need change that holds the elected officials in charge of Sacramento accountable, and allows for new Republican ideas to take root.

We must join together to re-forge a California Republican Party that is focused first and foremost on fixing California.

A @CAGOP unique to our state that can break up the one-party rule presiding over Sacramento.

Our revitalized @CAGOP must be representative, realistic and responsible:

1️⃣ Representative of all the people of California.

2️⃣ Realistic about the challenges facing our state.

3️⃣ Responsibly offering honest solutions to our biggest challenges.

1️⃣ We must REPRESENT the people we want to serve—and we want to serve everyone.

We do it by standing for freedom—of thought, religion, sexual orientation.

Not only is individual liberty part of CA’s heritage, it’s a classic conservative principle Republicans shouldn’t ignore.

The perspectives women bring, and challenges they face, must be a part of every single issue the @CAGOP takes on.

Parental leave, the high cost of childcare, pay equity—these aren’t “women’s issues.” They are California issues where California Republicans must step up and lead.

Thankfully, the new leadership of the California Republican Party recognizes this, with @shannongrove as our Senate leader, @MarieWaldron75 as our Assembly leader, and @millanpatterson taking over as the chair of the @CAGOP.

No one is born a Democrat or a Republican. We all choose the party we believe will best represent us.

When people don’t see our party as an option, that’s our fault. It’s on us to fix it.

When we speak WITH voters about OUR values, we WILL win.

Our party must stand with American immigrants. Our economy, workforce and future growth are connected to our ability to welcome immigrants and new Americans into our communities.

It’s why last month I created the City of San Diego’s first Immigrant Affairs position.

We cannot ignore the issue of illegal immigration. We must push for efficient ports of entry and get smarter about border security.

At the same time, our party must welcome legal immigrants – and encourage them to join our society as American citizens.

2️⃣ We must be REALISTIC about the challenges facing our state – and offer achievable and genuine solutions.

Like our environment. It’s time for Republicans to stop ignoring climate change.

If we opt out of the conversation, we’re only going to get extreme one-party solutions.

One of the most realistic things we can do right now to improve our state is tackling our severe housing shortage.

The more housing we build near job centers, the fewer tailpipes there are on the road – and the healthier our climate and pocketbooks will be.

My goal in San Diego is simple: We must change from a city that shouts, “Not in My Backyard,” to one that proclaims, “Yes In My Backyard!”

The blueprint I’ve laid out in SD is being embraced by both sides of the aisle – and can be applied across our entire state.

#YIMBY

3️⃣ @CAGOP needs to be viewed once more as a party of RESPONSIBLE solutions.

It’s time to demand our state leaders focus on running California – not Washington D.C.

Our state needs new voices that will break through the partisan bickering and focus on the needs of our people.

Democrats are suffering from “Outrage FOMO” – a fear of missing out on the latest controversy that will allow them to score political points on Twitter.

CA Democrats and the Trump administration are locked in the world’s most toxic relationship, and it’s not good for our state.

The @CAGOP must focus on the fundamentals of government service – the things we are elected to do: infrastructure, water, education and government reform.

We must be the party that addresses the pension crisis silently looming over the state.

When it comes to California’s pension crisis, #WinterIsComing.

And when it does, it will bankrupt cities and decimate our universities, law enforcement, and the public services on which we all rely.

Look at our state’s economic inequality, troubled schools, sky-high housing costs, failing infrastructure and crippling pension debt.

It’s what happens when one party gains complete and total control.

California Republicans have the opportunity to be the party of change.

These are ideas to start our party’s recovery. But the most powerful ideas often don’t originate from behind a podium. They grow in our communities.

California’s greatness comes from its people. And the party that carries the voice of the people will carry our state forward.