The new chair of the Maricopa County Republican Party shared her plans to strengthen the party when she spoke to Fountain Hills Republican Club members.

Rae Chornenky was guest speaker at the club’s Feb. 23 meeting. She compared results between the 2016 and 2018 elections, commenting that the outcome in November 2018 was a wake-up call for Republicans everywhere.

Chornenky said it was important to access all the information, then develop strategies to compensate for the deficiencies of the fall campaigns. She said improving messaging and better communication are two key principles to strengthening the party’s position in the next election.

She said she has met with newly-elected Arizona Republican Party Chair Kelli Ward, whom she described as being hard at work reaching out in all directions to build a cohesive team as the recipe to victory in 2020.

Another key component to strengthen the party, according to Chornenky, is to recruit new members who will be active in the organization.

The local club has had an influx of new members since November. The club has new officers, with Cecil Yates serving as president.

Other officers are First Vice President and Program Chair Boe James, Second Vice President and Membership Chair Gerry Friedel, Third Vice President and Hospitality Chair Susan Sirls, Treasurer Harold Denomme and Secretary Shari Morris.

The club’s next social is Wednesday, Feb. 27, at All-American Grill at 5 p.m.

Kelli Ward is keynote speaker at the next regular Republican Club meeting. That event is set for Saturday, April 20 at the Community Center.