Commentary: Explaining what party central committee members do

Every four years, Republican and Democratic voters have an opportunity to select representatives to serve on their respective party’s county central committee. You may be asking yourself, “What exactly is the purpose for this and what do they do?”

In counties larger than 1 million people, political parties are represented by six candidates in every Assembly District to serve on a central committee. Throughout Orange County, there are seven Assembly districts that compose these central committee elections.

Voters in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach and Irvine encompass the 74th Assembly District. On Tuesday, Orange County voters will choose 42 committee members from each party to serve as a member of these bodies for four years.

The main purpose of these committees is very simple: to register more voters, facilitate get-out-the-vote operations for candidates and raise the necessary funds to finance the previous two. They elect an executive board that consists of a chairman, several vice chairmen, a treasurer, an assistant treasurer, a secretary, a parliamentarian and a sergeant at arms.

In addition, Orange County members of Congress and the state Senate and Assembly are allowed to serve as ex-officio members and are treated the same as fully elected members of the committee.

Finally, every representative on the committee selects one alternate who can vote on their behalf when they are absent. Committee members meet once a month to conduct the business of their party.

As a current candidate for the Republican Party of Orange County’s Central Committee, I can only speak on behalf of my party, but I can without a doubt say the choices the voters of the 74th District have is unparalleled. There are 15 candidates running in our district, and I have personally worked with many of them throughout the years. I call several of them very good friends.

Examples that qualify these Republicans to serve include a former chairman of the Republican Party of Orange County, a constitutional attorney, a political consultant and county commissioner, a planning commissioner, the wife of a member of Congress, a former CEO and finance committeeman, a UC Irvine student Republican activist and a twice former executive director of the OCGOP.

While you can only choose six candidates, voters are left with many well-respected options.

The political process can seem enduring, and sometimes overwhelming, but rest assured knowing that there are good people willing to serve a cause they feel greater than their own. These positions receive no pay, benefits or perks and are strictly on a volunteer basis. Each and every candidate should be applauded for their desire to make a difference.

ERIK WEIGAND is a Newport Beach planning commissioner, a district director for a state senator and a candidate for the Republican Central Committee.