John Park Elected First Korean American California GOP Vice Chair

John Park has been elected California GOP vice chair, marking the first time a Korean American has held the position.

The election took place on March 16 at the California Republican Party’s annual spring convention in Sacramento. Park, who previously served as first vice chair of the Orange County Republican Party from 2021 to 2024, secured the second-highest leadership position within the state party. He is the second Asian American to serve as vice chair, following Peter Kuo, who held the post from 2019 to 2023.

Landslide Victory at Convention

Park won the election with 64.2% of the vote, defeating Lani Kane of Northern California, who garnered 32.3%, and Amy Phan West of Orange County, who received 3.6%. Over 1,300 delegates from all 58 counties in California participated in the vote.

Immediately after his win, Park assumed office and began his two-year term alongside newly elected party chair Corrin Rankin, the first Black woman to lead the California Republican Party.

Breaking Stereotypes in GOP Leadership

Following the election, Park stated that his and Rankin’s leadership could help challenge common stereotypes that associate the Republican Party with older white individuals.

Park added that in his role as vice chair, he will support the chair when needed and focus on training candidates, party leaders, state committee members, and grassroots organizers. He also plans to improve operations in the technology sector of the party.

The vice chair term is two years, with the possibility of one re-election.

Grassroots Leader in Orange County

In addition to his political work, Park runs the advertising agency Eight Horses. In 2018, he founded the Greater Irvine Republicans (GIR), a grassroots organization that mobilizes Republican voters in Irvine and nearby areas through a Facebook-based community.

BY BRIAN CHOI [ichoi@koreadaily.com]