With the critical November election just three months away, the Santa Clara County Republican Party welcomes fresh troops!  Our new Executive Director, Kim Theis, and our new Chairman, Steve Mullen, bring enthusiasm, a can-do attitude, and a determination to impact local politics.
 
Kim brings great political experience to the job.  She served as Operations Manager for the Romney for President campaign in Nevada where she was involved with events, donor relations and solicitation of funds and volunteer recruitment.  Prior to that, Kim worked for The Leadership Institute in Washington, DC, the Monterey County Republican Party and on State Senator Maldonado’s campaign for controller.

Kim praised her predecessor’s efforts, “Carol did a fantastic job of setting up the structure, programs and procedures for our local party.  My job will be to build on this foundation.”  Kim went on to explain her enthusiasm for the position, “I love local politics because winning has an immediate impact.”  She went on to explain, “I just get so inspired by our local volunteers!”
 
Our new Chairman, Steve Mullen, caught the bug for local politics in 2003 when he met a candidate for Palo Alto School Board at a SPARC (South Peninsula Area Republican Coalition) meeting.  He was drawn to the candidate’s enthusiasm and agreed with his message.  That candidate was none other than Keen Butcher, who ultimately lost the election for school board but, determined to help other local candidates, was elected Chairman of the Santa Clara County Republican Party in 2005.  In 2005, Steve, who had been involved in his children’s school, decided to follow in Keen’s footsteps and run for Palo Alto School Board.  Like Keen, he lost, but came away with the passion to help other candidates.  In 2006, Steve volunteered as treasurer for California Assembly Candidate, Virginia Chang Kiraly.
 
As Chairman of the Santa Clara County Republican Party, Steve will focus on recruiting and helping candidates for local office, raising money and voter registration.  “Keen Butcher and his team have worked hard to help Republicans make a difference in Silicon Valley,” Steve said and added, “I am excited to step up as Chairman because I want to help build on that success!”