2023 Candidates For Georgia Republican Party Offices

Notes

1. Biographical information – age, family, where you live now and are originally from
My name is Rebecca Yardley. I am married to Kris and have two adult daughters, Ansleigh and Peyton. I live in White County, Georgia where I have been a resident for 21 years. I am originally from Hinesville, Georgia, where I first got involved in politics.

2. Employment history
I am a Cleveland City Council member and I’m employed with the White County School System.

3. Educational history
I attended Valdosta State University.

4. Criminal/legal history
N/A

5. History of political involvement – positions held, etc.
I have been involved in politics for over 30 years. My first political campaign was at the age 16 for a family friend who was running for Mayor of Hinesville, Georgia. Upon moving to the rural North Georgia mountains 21 years ago, I have been a grassroots community activist with the Georgia Republican Party serving at the local, district, and state levels.
Currently, I serve as the Chairman of the 9th District Republican Party, Secretary of the White County Republican Party, and as a member of the Georgia Republican Party State Executive Committee. I previously served as a National Delegate to the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, NC (2020). In addition, I currently serve as a non-partisan elected member of the Cleveland City Council.
Local:
Secretary for the White County Republican Party (2015-Present)
Elected to Cleveland City Council (2020-present)
Convention Chairman of the White County Republican Party (2015, 2017, 2019, 2023)
Treasurer of the Republican Women of Hall (2013-2018)
Chairman of the White County Republican Party (2009-2015)
Parliamentarian for the White County Republican Party (2007-2009)
Member of the White County Republican Party (2005-Present)
Delegate to the White County Mass Meeting (Precinct Caucus) & Conventions (2005-Present)
Precinct Chairman for Mount Yonah Precinct (2005, 2007, 2008)
District:
9th District Republican Party Chairman (2019-Present)
Member of the 9th District Executive Committee (2009-Present)
Elected to State Committee (2008-Present)
Served on the Banquet Committee for the 9th District Banquet (2011-Present)
Delegate to the 9th District Convention (2005-Present)
1st Vice Chair for the 9th District GOP (2017-2019)
2nd Vice Chair for the 9th District GOP (2015-2017)
Chair of the Resolutions Committee for the 9th District Convention (2015, 2016)
3rd Vice Chair for the 9th District GOP (2013-2015)
Chaired Credentials Committee for the 9th District Convention (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019)
Chaired the Registration Committee for the 9th District Convention (2012)
Mountain Regional Director for the 9th District GOP (2000-2012)
Member of the Credentials Committee for the 9th District GOP (2011)
Served on the Fundraising Committee for the 9th District GOP (2009)
State:
Led Absentee Ballot Initiative Resulting in 97.7% Return Rate (2022 General Election Statewide Runoff Statewide)
GAGOP State Convention Site Selection Committee Member (2021, 2023)
GAGOP Convention Planning and Training Committee Member (2021-Present)
Member of State Executive Committee (2019-Present)
Delegate to State Convention (2007-Present)
Chairman of the State Convention Credentials Committee (2020, 2021)
Member of the State Convention Credentials Committee (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019)
Member of the State Convention Resolution Committee (2016)
Alternate to State Convention (2005)

6. GRA membership – how long a member, why did you join (or why you have not joined yet)?
In 2013, I was a founding member of the Georgia Republican Assembly. I was deeply honored when Pat Tippett emailed my membership and welcomed me to the organization.

7. Other political/professional/social organization memberships
Member of the Georgia Republican Party
White County Republican Party Member in Good Standing
Republican Women of Hall County Member in Good Standing
Former Treasurer and Founding Member of the Republican Women of Hall County
Former Treasurer of the Hall County Young Republicans
Former Member of United Republican Fund
Former Member of the College Republicans
Former Member of She-PAC
Former Chairman of the Gateway Theatre Company in Cleveland, Georgia
Advisor of Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity at Piedmont University
Member of Concord Baptist Church

8. Donations made/candidates and committees supported
I have been a small dollar donor for several years. Most of my donations are time spent working to advance our conservative cause by electing Republicans to office.  See Open Secrets Report

9. What principled legislative initiatives have you supported, and what bad legislation/policy have you opposed?
I have always tried to support legislation that promotes life, economic freedom, and American exceptionalism. Recently, I worked against a bill in the Georgia General Assembly that promoted ranked-choice voting. I successfully got my representative to come off the bill as a sponsor. Additionally, last year I led an effort to kill SB 350, which would have allowed all county offices to be non-partisan at the request of local elected officials.

10. What are your top three priorities for the role you are seeking?
I’d say I have four priorities outlined in my B.A.S.E. Strategy.
Bridge the Gap – I am committed to bridging any gaps that exist between Republicans in our party. Whether you’re a grassroots activist, elected official, or party donor, we all must work together in our respective roles towards winning elections.
Accountable finances – It’s no secret that Georgia is a major target for the Democrats in 2024. This means our party will need to raise and spend millions of dollars to not only protect seats but go on the offense and win seats. As Chairman, in addition to raising the money we need to accomplish this, I am committed to complete transparency and fiscal accountability as it pertains to the state party finances.
Support Local Parties – Our local parties are doing an outstanding job, but they deserve more support from the State Party. Whether offering development and leadership training or utilizing new technology to make internal communications easier – the Georgia GOP should be a resource for our county and district members.
Engage and Educate Voters – Georgia is changing and we can’t wait for voters to come to us – we need to go to them! Our party needs to finance and implement efforts to engage minorities and register new voters. With the passage of the new election bill, we must also make sure ALL Republicans are educated about early voting times, dates, and locations. Lastly, with the quick turnaround time between when ballots are mailed out and when they are due, our party needs to run a robust absentee ballot chase program.

11. What is your position on GRA’s principles and goals (see https://georgiara.com/party-goals/ )
Personally, I generally agree with the goals of the organization and think they largely align with the principles of the Republican Party as a whole. At the same time, I believe no two people or organizations agree on everything. If elected chairman, I will work tirelessly to get EVERY Georgian to vote Republican, regardless of differences.

12. What do you believe is the role of the party in holding politicians accountable?
I believe auxiliary groups and voters have a role in producing the party’s nominee. If an elected official breaks the trust of the people, we have an individual responsibility to replace them in the primary. On the other hand, the party’s role is to make sure that the nominee beats the Democrat. It is in our bylaws not to be involved in primaries and I believe as a party that believes in the rule of law, we must follow our own rules.

13. List your social media accounts
Website: https://www.rebecca4gagop.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaYardleyforGAGOPChairman/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebecca4gagop/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rebecca4GAGOP

14. Who are your political heroes?
Ronald Reagan and Max C. Webb

15. Why are you seeking the endorsement of the GRA?
As I said, I want to bridge the gaps in the GAGOP. GRA is incredibly active and makes up an essential piece of the Republican Party. As a founding member, it is important to me to keep the trust of this organization. If elected, I want to have open lines of communication with ALL auxiliary groups.

16. What will you do to keep the Georgia State GOP aligned with the grassroots conservative movement of Georgia instead of being driven by the National GOP?
I come from the grassroots and have extensive experience on the ground. Anyone who knows me knows I have always put our party’s grassroots and the base first. That will not change as Chair of the GAGOP.

17. Will you support a platform to reveal National GOP Committee votes for election of Chairman of the National GOP?
Yes