Republican Club Chooses New Leaders

The national Republican Party might have some serious cleavages. But the Harvard Republican Club (HRC) apparently does not.

Travis D. Wheatley '99 was chosen president of the Harvard Republican Club last night in a quiet and non-contentious election. He promised to continue the club's major policies from the last two years.

Wheatley, a Quincy House government concentrator, ran against Steven J. Mitby '99 and Thomas J. Fox '98. Wheatley and Mitby tied for first with 10 votes apiece in the first round, and Wheatley won the run-off.

Citing the "excellent leadership" of outgoing president Jay M. Dickerson '98, Wheatley said in his remarks that he plans no changes in the club's major workings.

He said he considers it important "to continue to increase our membership and to hold events to ensure active participation in the club."

The new president also said that he plans to continue efforts to attract important Republican and conservative speakers.

In addition, Wheatley proposed holding weekly or biweekly dinner meetings of the HRC--opportunities for campus Republicans to stay in touch with each other.

Wheatley was silent on one of the club's most publicized controversies, the 1995 split--and subsequent high-profile squabbling--with the more liberal Harvard-Radcliffe Republican Alliance (HRRA).

In an interview after the meeting, Wheatley said he wanted to discuss the issue with the new executive board and HRRA leaders before discussing specifics.

"I don't necessarily want to start my administration with a call to arms," he said.

Still, he said that any potential reconciliation is "more the concern of the HRRA. We welcome all members of the HRRA."

Wheatley is also the circulation manager of The Harvard Salient.

Other officers elected last night include William Jay '98 as vice president; Bradley L. Whitman '98, who is a Crimson editor, as treasurer; Bradley L. Davis '00 as secretary; and Mitby as member-at-large.

Those elections, except for member-at-large, were uncontested. But Dickerson denied that the lack of competition signalled any problems for the club.

"Willie Jay and Brad Whitman are two of the most qualified people I've ever worked with," he said. "Everyone at this meeting is an extremely active member."

Whitman, for example, has already served as treasurer for a year, and Jay has experience as the club's parliamentarian.

The new board will take over Monday.