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Paula Whitsell was reelected as chairperson of the San Diego County Republican Party on Monday. Courtesy photo/SDCGOP
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Paula Whitsell reelected as chair of San Diego County GOP

REGION — Paula S. Whitsell of Chula Vista was re-elected Monday night as chair of the Republican Party of San Diego County, setting her up to lead the organization into the 2026 election cycle.

Whitsell, who previously served as the party’s chair from 2021 to 2024, expressed optimism about building on recent Republican successes.

“Building on Republican wins nationally in 2024, our goal is to prepare the battlefield for San Diego County to help elect a new Republican governor and boost our numbers in the legislature, Congress, and in local offices,” Whitsell said after the vote. “I’m delighted and proud that a majority of the Central Committee has seen fit to assign this duty to me, and I look forward to a unified effort among all of our members to make gains in San Diego County.”

Sources close to the party say Whitsell’s campaign for the seat offered Central Committee members an opportunity to elect seasoned leadership to mentor a rising generation of party leaders, two of whom — Alana Sorensen of Escondido and 4S Ranch’s Kristie Bruce-Lane — were selected as first and second vice chairs, respectively.

“The new officers are a combination of seasoned, veteran Committee members and rising young leaders of the party,” said Encinitas resident Garvin Walsh, a newly elected member of the Central Committee. “Alana Sorensen has been actively engaged as a caucus leader and a member of the Executive Committee. Kristie Bruce-Lane is most notably recognized because of her candidacy for the state Assembly. Both are capable individuals.”

Escondido's Alana Sorensen, left, and Kristi Bruce-Lane of 4S Ranch, right, were elected first and second vice chairs, respectively. Courtesy photos/SDCGOP
Escondido’s Alana Sorensen, left, and Kristi Bruce-Lane of 4S Ranch, right, were elected first and second vice chairs, respectively, of the San Diego County Republican Party. Courtesy photos/SDCGOP

Whitsell, who has spent nearly 15 years in various leadership roles within the Republican Party, including as a member of the Central Committee since 2012, emphasized her commitment to preparing for the 2026 elections.

“Preparing for the 2026 election is our top responsibility,” she said. “Registering Republican voters, building our grassroots presence in neighborhoods, recruiting the next generation of Republican candidates and elected officials, and raising the funds to execute these vital programs will be our focus for the next two years.”

Whitsell’s re-election comes amid a backdrop of controversy from earlier this year. In April 2024, Whitsell stepped down from her role as party chair amid accusations of ethical misconduct tied to the endorsement process for the 75th Assembly District race.

Critics alleged Whitsell attempted to overturn the party’s endorsement of Republican Andrew Hayes in favor of Carl DeMaio, an effort some Central Committee members deemed violated party bylaws.

Despite the turmoil, Whitsell’s supporters praised her decision to step down as a good-faith effort to preserve party unity.

“It is a misconception that Paula resigned in response to accusations of misconduct,” Walsh said. “The factional division within the party was fierce. She resigned in an attempt to appease critics, in a genuine effort to restore party unity. It was a generous and selfless gesture.”

Meetings of the Republican Party of San Diego County, which are open to local Republicans, are held on the second Monday of each month.

For more information, visit SanDiegoRepublicans.org.

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