Shasta County Republican Assembly Elects New Board
- Elisa Ballard
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Also Hears from District 5 Candidate
The Shasta County Republican Assembly (SCRA) held its convention on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Shasta Bible College, where members engaged in lively discussions on conservative priorities and elected a fresh leadership team to guide the organization forward.
The convention, drawing local Republicans, political advocates, and community figures, emphasized themes of election integrity, fiscal responsibility, and preserving traditional values. Hosted at Shasta Bible College in Redding, the event provided a fitting backdrop for conversations rooted in faith and community.
A centerpiece of the proceedings was the election of new board members, reflecting the assembly's commitment to dynamic leadership:
President: Rex Ballard, a prominent local voice in regional conservative advocacy.
Vice President: Cherrill Clifford, prior President of SCRA, active in local politics
Treasurer: Patricia Santangelo, with a history with the SCRA will provide financial oversight.
Secretary: Mike Hernandez, local journalist, focused on maintaining transparency and efficient operations.
Immediate Past President - Domenic Santangelo, as the outgoing President he will serve on the Board helping to provide continuity.
In his introductory comments, Ballard shared his extensive business background and pointed to his many articles on the local news website SHASTA UNFILTERED as evidence of his commitment to conservative principles. When asked about his vision for the SCRA moving forward, he indicated, that he felt that it is a privilege to step into the role and expressed that his main objective was to continue to grow the organization's ranks. He said that he was committed to the organization's conservative principles, and the need for the SCRA to serve as the "Conscience of the Republican Party". Also, that the SCRA will remain committed to vetting Republican candidates that embody the beliefs of the SCRA.
At the conclusion of the elections, attendees heard from Gary Oxley, a declared candidate for Shasta County Supervisor in District 5. Oxley is a longtime Shasta County resident and retired registered nurse and co-regional director for 13 hospitals nationwide. He is also a retired business owner, rancher, and prior Army Reserve service medic. Oxley is married and has five children and two grandchildren. Active in local conservative politics, he has spoken at Redding City Council and Shasta County Board of Supervisors meetings on community issues. His prior electoral experience includes unsuccessful primary runs for California's 1st Congressional District in 2012 (as an independent) and 2016 (as a Republican), where he focused on fiscal conservatism, veteran support, and anti-globalization themes.
In his current bid, Oxley articulated a compelling case for his candidacy, outlining his clear vision for representing the district. He emphasized priorities such as bolstering public safety, promoting economic growth, restoring election integrity, supporting the second amendment and open carry and improving the process for the Board meetings. He positioned himself as a pragmatic leader attuned to the concerns of District 5 residents. His address resonated with the SCRA members. The SCRA will hold off on endorsing any candidates for District 5 until they have had the opportunity to hear from other Republican contenders. District 5 includes Anderson, Cottonwood, Happy Valley, Manton, Shingletown, and Viola.
As a chapter of the California Republican Assembly, the SCRA plays a vital role in mobilizing conservative efforts in Northern California. With this new board and insights from speakers like Oxley, the group is poised to increase its engagement in the lead-up to future elections.
Participants left the event invigorated.
For further details on the SCRA or Gary Oxley's campaign, reach out via official channels or visit relevant community resources.
