“THE CALIFORNIA TRAILBLAZERS PROGRAM is essential in the effort to revitalize California as it identifies and trains candidates throughout our state who are committed to the principles of efficient and accountable government, personal initiative, and free enterprise.
I’m impressed with the candidates Trailblazers recruits every election cycle as they continue to work tirelessly to better our local communities. I believe these leaders will provide the new and innovative ideas that our state needs.”
-House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy
RECRUIT
California Trailblazers, modeled after the successful national Young Guns program, successfully recruits, trains and elects Republicans to state legislative office.
Rigorous fundraising and campaign benchmarks are required before advancing to the next tier. As our members advance through the tiers, additional support is given to ensure a strong and competitive campaign.
TRAIN
The Trailblazer Program also provides resources of ongoing education for candidates to learn campaign fundamentals. Candidates will have access to industry professionals to assist in developing finance, grassroots, administrative, and political plans.
The program will supply quality fundraisers, coalition building experts, media training, issue briefings and more to ensure Trailblazer candidates have the tools to win on Election Day.
“California Trailblazers provided cutting-edge information, training and strategy to significantly bolster my candidacy for Assembly and create the best possible pathway for a successful campaign. The collective support of Trailblazers alumni, board members and staff leveraged best practices and resources that are second to none. This program will continue to play a key role in electing the next generation of diverse and dynamic Republican leaders in this state.”
– Assemblyman Vince Fong

MEET THE BOARD

JESSICA PATTERSON
Jessica Millan Patterson is a wife, mother, and political professional, CEO of California Trailblazers Jessica recruits and trains candidates throughout California to run for California state legislature. Jessica has served the California Republican Party, Republican National Committee, Statewide and National Candidates for over a decade. She is well-known for her get-things done no nonsense style; committed to her cause and clients she maintains strong friendships with political allies and rivals alike. Blessed with many talents, Jessica is highly regarded for her experience and expertise running ground games and organizing floor operationsJEFF RANDLE, CHAIR,
CEO of Randle Communications, one of the top public relations firms in California. Randle has more than two decades of political, media and communications expertise, including service as Governor Wilson’s Deputy Chief of Staff.

JEFF RANDLE, CHAIR
Jeff Randle, President and CEO, leads the firm he founded in 2001. The Sacramento Business Journal has ranked Randle Communications the top locally-owned public relations firm in the greater Sacramento region for the last three years.Randle has more than two decades of political, media, and communications expertise and is considered one of the state’s leading strategists by lawmakers, business leaders and the media. Randle perfected his skills with experience as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Pete Wilson and as a key member of Governor Schwarzenegger’s political team. Randle served as a senior advisor to former eBay CEO Meg Whitman and her 2010 California gubernatorial campaign. He has worked closely with her since 2007 and continues to work with her today.
In 2010, Randle was named by Capitol Weekly as one of the top 50 most influential people in California and by Campaigns and Elections magazine as one of the top 100 political influencers in the state.
For the firm, Randle oversees the strategy and communications activities for all clients. He has crafted statewide public relations and public affairs campaigns for prominent organizations including University of Phoenix, Golden State Water Company, the California Association of REALTORS®, the California Building Industry Association and the Chief Probation Officers of California.
Randle was a key member of Governor Schwarzenegger’s political team from 2002-2006. In 2002, he helped Schwarzenegger pass Proposition 49, the After School Safety & Education Program Act. In 2003, he served as political director during the Governor’s 2003 recall election campaign and in 2004 and 2005, directed all statewide grassroots political efforts on behalf of Schwarzenegger’s initiative campaigns. In 2006, he served as a senior advisor to the Governor’s re-election campaign.
From 1998-2001, Randle was Executive Vice President of Stoorza Communications, California’s largest independent public relations firm, where he also served as General Manager of the Sacramento Office. From 1991-1998, Randle served as a Deputy Chief of Staff to former Governor Pete Wilson. Randle was responsible for statewide communications and coalition building efforts on behalf of the Governor’s agenda. He also directed the Governor’s eight statewide field offices that were responsible for outreach on behalf of the Governor’s policy and political initiatives.
Randle earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1986. He lives in Sacramento with his wife, Kellie, and their three children Annie, Jake and Jillie Kate. Randle enjoys spending time with his family as well as rooting for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and all UCLA Bruins sports teams.
HOWARD HAKES,
founding member of New Majority Los Angeles, one of the largest Republican political organizations in California. Hakes has been active in many state and national political campaigns, including service as delegate to the Republican National Convention.

HOWARD HAKES
Hakes has been active in many state and national political campaigns. In 2005, Hakes became a founding member of New Majority Los Angeles, one of the largest Republican political organizations in California. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for New Majority California and holds the position of Federal Political Action Committee chairman and finance chairman for the Los Angeles chapter. In 2012, Hakes served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention and remains a delegate to the California Republican Party.In addition to Hakes’ support for Republican causes, he enjoys an esteemed professional career. Hakes serves as the chief operating officer for Hitchcock Automotive Resources, one of southern California’s largest automotive dealer groups, which owns and operates four dealerships throughout the region.
MARIO RODRIGUEZ,
founding member and Chairman of the Hispanic 100, is a veteran of statewide and local political campaigns, including serving as the Vice Chairman of the California Republican Party and the National Hispanic Steering Committee.

MARIO RODRIGUEZ
As one of the most well respected Latino Republicans in the country, Rodriguez’s experience, enthusiasm and tireless work ethic reflect the California Trailblazers culture. After serving as Vice Chairman of the California Republican Party from 2003 to 2005, President George W. Bush appointed Rodriguez to serve on the National Hispanic Steering Committee. He is a veteran of statewide and local political campaigns and has served as a member on the transition team for Governor Schwarzenegger and as the California Latino State Chairman for Meg Whitman’s 2010 gubernatorial campaign. Rodriguez serves as a member of the New Majority, and he is a founding member of the Hispanic 100 and serves as the organization’s Chairman. In addition, Rodriguez has a proven record, having successfully helped elect Assemblywoman Melendez, Assemblyman Chavez and Assemblyman Linder in 2012.“We are going to lead by example, recruiting and supporting Latino Republicans to run, win and lead,” said Rodriguez. “This is a long-term commitment to our party and the people of California. I am excited about this opportunity to engage Latinos constructively and to demonstrate why the Republican Party is most closely aligned with our values,” said Rodriguez.
Rodriguez will work closely with Legislative Leaders Huff and Conway, California Trailblazers’ CEO Jessica Patterson, Chairman of the Board of Directors Jeff Randle and the Trailblazers’ Board of Directors. The robust training and support will lead to more Latino Republican candidates who are well positioned to compete and win legislative races.
LYDIA L. BEEBE,
Senior of Counsel at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, has had an extraordinary career, including service as the first female officer at the Chevron Corporation and an appointee of Gov. Pete Wilson at the Fair Employment & Housing Commission and President George W. Bush to the Presidio Trust.

LYDIA L. BEEBE
Lydia Beebe currently serves as the corporate secretary and chief governance officer of Chevron Corporation, a position she has held since being elected as Chevron’s first female corporate officer in 1995. Beebe has a rich background in public service, having been appointed by Governor Pete Wilson to the California Fair Employment and Housing Commission in 1991, where she was chairperson from 1995 through the end of her term in 1999. Beebe was recently honored by California as a Civil Rights Hero for her work as chairperson to the California Fair Employment and Housing Commission. In 2003, President George W. Bush appointed Beebe to the Board of Directors of Presidio Trust, where she served until 2008. Along with serving on the governing boards for the National Judicial College, Kansas University Endowment Association, Kansas University Law Alumni, the National Association of Corporate Directors of Northern California and the San Francisco Symphony, she also enjoys being an advisory board member of the Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock Center for Corporate Governance and the John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance.GEORGE ANDREWS,
Political Director for the Assembly Republican Caucus, has served as an aide to California policymakers and candidates at the federal and state level. Andrews has more than 15 years of experience in executing policy initiatives, community outreach and constituent services.

GEORGE ANDREWS
George has served as an aide to California policymakers and candidates at the federal and state level over the past 15 years. Most recently, he was Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale) from 2014-17 before being tapped to lead the 2018 election efforts for the Assembly Republicans.He specializes in developing and executing policy initiatives with a focus on public relations, community outreach and constituent services.
He has served as an Executive Committee member for the NAACP-Antelope Valley and delegate to the Citizens Advisory Committee for California State Prison – Los Angeles.
George is a graduate of University of California, Davis where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History.
DAVID READE,
Chief of Staff to State Senator Jim Nielsen, is a veteran to California politics with more than 30 years experience. Reade has been a consultant and strategist to more than a hundred successful candidate and issue campaigns at the national, state and local levels.

DAVID READE
David Reade is a veteran of over 30 years in California politics and currently serves as Chief of Staff to California State Senator Jim Nielsen.A graduate of California State University, Sacramento, David Reade began his career as a volunteer on the Reagan-Bush re-election campaign in 1984. He worked in the office of Republican Governor George Deukmejian, and later as a Legislative Aide for the Assembly Republican Leader.
He served six years as Chief of Staff to the late Republican Assemblyman Bernie Richter (1992-1998) and also for Assemblyman (now Congressman) Doug LaMalfa from 2002-2008. Reade has been a consultant and strategist to more than a hundred successful candidate and issue campaigns at the national, state and local levels.
A lifelong Republican, David Reade was elected Chairman of the Butte County Republican Party from 1994 to 1998.
In 2002, Reade served as Campaign Director for the McClintock for Controller campaign. In 2003, Reade served as Deputy Political Director for Arnold Schwarzenegger’s campaign for governor during the successful recall election. David Reade served as California Political Director for Governor Mitt Romney’s 2008 presidential campaign.
In 2009-10, Reade served as senior advisor and strategist to Doug LaMalfa’s successful election campaign for California State Senate and for his 2012 campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives. He also served as Finance Director and principal campaign strategist for Assemblyman Jim Nielsen’s successful 2008 and 2010 campaigns, and for his 2013 Special Election to the State Senate. Reade also directed Nielsen’s successful reelection in 2014.
Reade was elected in 2012 to serve as Chairman of the Sacramento Valley Lincoln Club, a Republican donor organization that provides financial support for Republican candidates for federal, state and local office.
In 2014, Reade served as senior strategist for James Gallagher’s successful campaign for State Assembly, District 3.
David Reade has been recognized by the American Association of Political Consultants with eight of its prestigious Pollie Awards, most recently receiving Gold and Silver Awards for Radio Advertising.
David and his wife Suzanne reside in West Sacramento and have two children, Reagan (20) and Matthew (19).
ALUMNI

Assemblymember James Gallagher

Assemblymember James Gallagher
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Elected to the California State Assembly in 2014, Assemblyman James Gallagher is honored to represent the residents of the 3rd Assembly District. The district includes Butte, Tehama, Yuba, Sutter, Glenn, and Colusa Counties. As a newly elected legislator, James was quickly recognized for his leadership by his selection as Deputy Republican Floor Leader, and he currently serves as the Chief Republican Whip. He also serves as the vice-chair of the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee; and is a member of the Assembly Appropriations, Governmental Organization, Agriculture, and Judiciary Committees.
Assemblymember Frank Bigelow

Assemblymember Frank Bigelow
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The first thing you’ll notice about rancher Frank Bigelow is his hat. To Frank’s way of thinking, he wears it as a symbol of respect for the sacrifice of those who settled our region and it serves as a commitment to continue to preserve our way of life. Frank resides in O’Neals, with his wife of 35 years, Barbara. First elected to the State Assembly in 2012, Bigelow is committed to protecting rural California and our rural way of life.
Assemblymember Kevin Kiley

Assemblymember Kevin Kiley
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Before serving as Deputy Attorney General, Kevin Kiley spent years teaching 10th grade English at a South Central Los Angeles high school, devoting himself to education and leading an award-winning speech and debate team. Kiley earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard, a law degree from Yale, and a master’s in secondary education from Loyola Marymount. Additionally, Kiley has served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.
Assemblymember Vince Fong

Assemblymember Vince Fong
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For nearly a decade, Fong has served as the District Director to House Majority Leader and Congressman Kevin McCarthy, managing public policy issues for the region. In this capacity, Fong has worked to craft policies that encourage business expansion and enhance job opportunities for local residents.
Additionally, Fong is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and a former member of the Kern County Republican Central Committee and Goodwill Industries of Southern Central California. Fong currently serves on the boards of the Jim Burke Education Foundation and Honor Flight Kern County, where he works to send WWII, Korean War and Vietnam Veterans to Washington, DC to see their memorials.

Assemblymember Jordan Cunningham

Assemblymember Jordan Cunningham
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Cunningham is a taxpayer advocate, dedicated husband and father, businessman, school board member and former prosecutor. He lives in Templeton with his wife and four children. After earning his bachelor’s and law degrees, Cunningham returned home to the central coast and began work as a Deputy District Attorney for SLO County – prosecuting a wide variety of crimes such as fraud, assault and domestic violence. From public safety and fiscal responsibility to education, Jordan is a proven leader for the community that he has always called home.
Assemblymember Phillip Chen

Assemblymember Phillip Chen
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In addition to running a small business, Chen has also dedicated himself to public service by protecting his community from crime as a former Reserve Sheriff's Deputy, teaching at two universities, and fighting for taxpayers. In 2009, he was recognized by the Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff's Station as the "Reserve Deputy of the Year." Appointed to the Governor's Office of Criminal Justice Planning by Pete Wilson, Chen worked on legislation to protect foster children, prevent gang violence, and fight drug abuse.
Chen earned his B.A. in Communications from California State University, Fullerton and both a Master's in Public Administration and Doctoral of Educational Psychology from the University of Southern California. He also served as an Adjunct Faculty Professor at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy.

Assemblymember Steven Choi

Assemblymember Steven Choi
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Choi immigrated to the United States as a Peace Corps language instructor for the State Department in 1968 after earning a bachelor’s degree from Kyung Hee University in Seoul, South Korea. He continued his education in the United States, earning a master’s degree in library science from Louisiana State University, and a Ph.D. in Library and Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a passionate educator and has experience in higher education teaching at universities and colleges around the country. Choi is a dedicated public servant who is The City of Irvine’s current Mayor and has served on the Board of Directors of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and the Orange County Sanitation District. He was elected as a Trustee to the Irvine Unified Schools District in 1998, served two terms on the City Council and has been the Mayor of Irvine since 2012.
Senator Andreas Borgeas

Senator Andreas Borgeas
SD 8
Senator Andreas Borgeas was elected in 2018. Previously, Borgeas served on the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, representing the cities of Clovis and Fresno. With years working in the Central Valley, including time as a judicial law clerk to former Federal Judge Oliver Wanger, Borgeas has extensive experience on important regional issues. Before being elected at the county level, Borgeas served a term on the Fresno City Council, where he won his election after knocking on every single door in the district. In addition to being an elected official, Borgeas is a professor of international security law at the San Joaquin College of Law, where his students benefit from his experience as a Fulbright Scholar and policy specialist fellow at the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan. Borgeas is a member of the bar in both California and Washington, D.C.
Senator Scott Wilk

Senator Scott Wilk
SD 21
Senator Scott Wilk has a record of public service and community involvement. First elected in 2012 and again in 2014 with more than 65 percent of the vote, Wilk’s legislative accomplishments include co-authoring SB 718 to position California to compete for a $60 billion federal government contract and securing legislative support to increase funding for afterschool programs. Prior to the legislature, Wilk served six years on the College of the Canyons Board of Trustees and six years as Chief of Staff to California Assembly Members Tom McClintock and Paula Boland.
Senator Pat Bates

Senator Pat Bates
SD 36
I am honored to serve as the Senator for the 36th Senate District in the California Legislature since December 1, 2014, representing nearly 1 million people from Encinitas in San Diego County to Rancho Santa Margarita in Orange County. Elected public service was not something I sought growing up. It came gradually when I became a wife, mother, and community volunteer. My professional background is one of a Los Angeles County social worker, a position in which I helped people deal with some tough challenges in their personal lives. In the Senate, my focus is to solve everyday problems for Californians in a way that will preserve our quality of life, protect taxpayers, and restore fiscal common sense to government. That is what I did as the driving force behind Laguna Niguel’s campaign for cityhood and when I became its first mayor upon the city’s incorporation in 1989. I served four terms as mayor and then continued serving as a city council member until my election to the State Assembly in 1998, earning the trust of a large majority of Orange and San Diego County voters.ALL-STARS & PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

Senator Jim Nielsen

Senator Jim Nielsen
SD 4
A successful farmer and rancher, Senator Jim Nielsen grew up on a small farm in the San Joaquin Valley and graduated from Fresno State with a Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Business. After college, Jim worked as a ranch foreman and operated the family cattle, field and row-crop ranch. Elected to the State Senate in January 2013, Senator Nielsen proudly represents the citizens of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba counties. He serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs and Vice Chair of the Senate Budget & Fiscal Review. He serves as a member of the Senate Committees on Appropriations and Health. Nielsen was originally elected to the State Senate in 1978 and served as Republican Leader from 1983 to 1987. In 1990, he was appointed chairman of the California Board of Prison Terms, where he served until 2007. He was elected in November 2008 to represent the North State's 2nd Assembly District in the State Legislature.
Assemblymember Heath Flora

Assemblymember Heath Flora
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Heath Flora is a farmer, firefighter and business owner with the kind of real world experience desperately needed in the State Assembly. He was raised on a farm and had been a small business owner and volunteer firefighter for 15 years. A life-long farmer, Heath serves as a Director for International Sales at the Exact Corporation, a family-owned business that manufactures innovative products for both nut harvesting and forcible entry equipment for firefighting. Heath also owns Golden Valley Equipment which sells used agricultural equipment. Prior to entering the business world, Heath received training as a paramedic and worked for Cal Fire for three summers.
Assemblymember Tom Lackey

Assemblymember Tom Lackey
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First elected to the State Assembly in 2014, Tom Lackey has been focused on providing common sense solutions to some of California’s most challenging issues. He has been a leader on providing strong public safety policies, and has been an advocate for affordable taxes, education improvements and job growth through private sector economic development. During his short time as a State Legislator, Lackey has championed successful efforts to combat the growing problem of drugged driving and provide increased state funding to support programs for individuals with developmental disabilities. After high school, Lackey served his church as a missionary for two years. Upon returning, he completed his Bachelor of Science degree in special education from Utah State University, and later was an elementary special education teacher. He later went on to have a 28-year career with the California Highway Patrol, retiring in 2013. Lackey first entered elected public service as a member of the Palmdale Elementary School District Board of Trustees. He went on to serve two terms as a councilmember for City of Palmdale from 2005 to 2014.
Assemblymember Melissa Melendez

Assemblymember Melissa Melendez
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Melissa entered the United States Navy upon graduating high school. She attended the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, where she became a fluent Russian language speaker. Melissa then became one of the first women approved by the U.S. Navy to fly aboard EP-3 reconnaissance aircraft overseas, conducting reconnaissance and intelligence gathering operations in partnership with our allies. She served her country with honor and distinction as a Russian translator for ten years during the height of the Cold War, and flew covert missions during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In 2008 Melissa Melendez was elected to the Lake Elsinore City Council. She served as Mayor Pro Tem as well as Mayor during her four years in local government. Melissa has distinguished herself throughout the district by tackling some of the most important issues of the day, like fighting for increased government transparency, reducing taxes, and easing the burden on the business community. Melissa is also known to be a tireless advocate for veterans and military families.PATHFINDERS
‘Pathfinder’ is the first tier in the three-tier program. These candidates, including have raised more than $100,000 without personal loans, identified local volunteers and precinct captains, established a website and social media presence and participated in Trailblazers trainings.
RISING STARS
‘Rising Star’ is the second tier in the three-tier program. These candidates have raised more than $250,000 in campaign contributions, without loans or personal money, created strong media, fundraising, coalition and finance plans, identified a campaign manager and participated in Trailblazers trainings.
TRAILBLAZERS
Trailblazer is the highest designation in the three-tier program. Trailblazers have raised more than $400,000, without loans or personal funds, and demonstrated a clear path to victory in their districts. Trailblazers have also created and executed strong media, fundraising, coalition and finance plans, identified a campaign manager and participated in Trailblazers trainings.
TRAILBLAZER NEWS
Trailblazers Candidates, Alumni Successful in Key California Races
California Trailblazers, a program that successfully identifies, trains and elects the next generation of Republican legislative leaders, congratulates two first-time Trailblazers candidates and 11 Trailblazers alumni (see full list below) who were elected to the... read moreTrailblazer Candidate Bill Essayli Elevated to ‘Trailblazer’ Status
California Trailblazers, a program that successfully identifies, trains and elects the next generation of Republican legislative leaders, announced today former Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli (AD 60) has been elevated to ‘Trailblazer’ status, the third... read moreTrailblazer Candidate Henry Nickel Elevated to ‘Pathfinder’ Status
California Trailblazers, the state’s only program successfully recruiting, training and electing the next generation of Republican legislative leaders, announced today Henry Nickel candidate for the 40th Assembly District has achieved ‘Pathfinder’ status, the first... read moreOUR PARTNERS
