The collection comprises records from the California Republican Assembly (CRA), a grassroots political organization that promotes conservative values, policies, and candidates related to the Republican Party. Over the years CRA has supported several winning candidates in the national political arena and has helped shape politics in California.

The California Republican Assembly (CRA) is a grassroots, political organization that promotes conservative values, policies, and candidates within the Republican Party. Dr. Robert Craig and Edward Shattuck began the CRA in 1932 with the intention of it being free and open to all Republicans, but for the first ten years, CRA sought the membership solely of men under the age of forty. Shortly after its incorporation in 1935, the CRA had over 8,000 members in 47 of the 48 counties in California. The CRA had 12,000 members by 1940, over 11,000 by 1956, and over 14,000 by 1963. Although membership in CRA was free initially, a bylaw requiring paid memberships was eventually adopted.  CRA's founding fathers maintained an open and liberal philosophy; Dr. Robert Craig felt that paid membership betrayed the original concept and goals of CRA.  By 1955, there were many members whose philosophy was opposed to that of CRA's founders.  The liberals lost control of CRA with the election of moderate president Fred Hall in 1962, and CRA has been dominated by a conservative philosophy since 1972.

0.4 linear feet (1 box)

Publication Rights Property rights reside with the University of California. Copyrights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permissions to reproduce or to publish, please contact the Head of Special Collections and Archives.

Access The collection is open for research.