From the desk of:
Ingrid Lake
CFRW President
April 14, 2026
Welcome to this week’s SPARK
Spotlight, Positivity, Action, Reflection, and Knowledge
PRESIDENT'S WEEKLY SPARK
Reflecting on a Weekend of Unity and Momentum
This past weekend at the California Republican Party Convention in San Diego, it was inspiring to see Republicans from across California come together for a weekend of education, connection, and unity. In a memorable moment Friday evening, many convention attendees stepped outside around 5:00 PM to join the crowds gathered in hopes of catching a glimpse of the historic Artemis II splashdown off the San Diego coast. While we may not have seen the capsule itself, it was exciting to witness so many people pause together in anticipation of such a remarkable moment in history. It served as a reminder that even amidst busy schedules and important work, shared moments of excitement and wonder have a way of bringing people together.
One of the most important responsibilities of the convention was voting on endorsements for statewide candidates, and we congratulate the candidates who earned CRP endorsement: Gloria Romero for Lieutenant Governor, Michael Gates for Attorney General, Herb Morgan for Controller, Don Wagner for Secretary of State, Jennifer Hawks for Treasurer, Stacy Korsgaden for Insurance Commissioner, and Sonja Shaw for Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The most highly anticipated endorsement vote was, of course, for the race for Governor of California. A candidate must receive 60% of the vote to secure the CRP endorsement, and neither candidate met that threshold. This should not be viewed as division within our party, but rather as a reflection of what Chairwoman Corrin Rankin so perfectly stated: “Our party currently has a problem with too many outstanding candidates.” What a great problem to have!
Please remember that our Local Clubs, as well as the Federation, CANNOT make any endorsements when there is more than 1 Republican Candidate in any race. While we cannot endorse candidates, I know many of our members feel passionately about the individuals running in this and other important races. As members of CFRW, our role is to support Republican candidates, encourage political involvement, and work diligently through both the Primary and General Election to do what is right for our state.
Let us remember the resolution we passed in Redding just weeks ago—a declaration of our commitment to stand UNITED and encourage our members and communities to Get Out The Vote in June, November, and every election. Stay positive, keep working hard, and continue sharing the gift of CFRW with every Republican woman you know.
PRO TIP: Don’t skip the underlined text! Each link opens the door to valuable resources, connections across our Federation, and simple next steps to help you take action.
SPARK in Practice: Become Associate Members of nearby clubs in your Region and take time to read updates and Newsletters from other clubs. Great ideas often come from learning what others are doing..
We’re Excited – So Many Members Already Signed Up for Assemblymember Tangipa Event Next Week!
I was thrilled to announce last week that we’re kicking off our CFRW Distinguished Speaker Series with California Assemblymember David Tangipa — and we’re already seeing so many of our members signing up for this special virtual event!
Assemblymember Tangipa represents California’s Central Valley and has quickly become a strong, respected voice for our communities. With his real-world experience and deep commitment to conservative principles, he brings valuable insight and a no-nonsense perspective to the issues that matter most.
This Distinguished Speaker Series is designed for every CFRW member, not just those in the speaker’s district — because the decisions made in Sacramento impact all of us, and hearing directly from key legislators helps us stay informed, united, and effective across the entire state.
If you haven’t registered yet, I invite you to join us on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, from 6:00–7:00 PM on Zoom. This is your opportunity to hear directly from Assemblymember Tangipa, gain insight into the current legislative landscape in Sacramento, and participate in meaningful conversation.
With the event now just days away, this is the perfect time to secure your spot! The Distinguished Speaker Series is one of the many benefits of your CFRW membership — a great way to stay informed, connected, and inspired by the leaders shaping our state.
We’re looking forward to a lively and informative evening, and we hope you’ll be there with us. Register today so you don’t miss out!
There will be a Q&A session, so if there are questions you have for Assemblyman Tangipa, please send them ahead of time to me, your CFRW 3rd Vice President, Bibi Mesmer.
Click on the image below to watch a short video featuring our next Distinguished Speaker. In this powerful clip, California Assemblymember David Tangipa shares how he was denied entry into the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) Caucus and told he was ‘the wrong kind of Polynesian’ — despite being the first Polynesian ever elected to the California Legislature — exposing the hypocrisy of Sacramento’s diversity rhetoric.
As your 2nd Vice President, I am thrilled to continue recognizing the clubs that have already made impressive progress in the NFRW USA 250 Membership Challenge. We previously acknowledged the clubs that earned the Patriot Keepers Guild by renewing 100% of their membership by March 1st; Glenn County RWF, Lodi RWF, South Placer RWF, Tehama County RWF, and West Valley RWF.
We applaud the clubs that have attained the Liberty Brigade level with a 10% membership increase from the end of 2025: South Placer RWF, Glenn County RWF, and Ukiah Valley RWF. We are also especially excited to celebrate the two clubs that have reached the prestigious Signers Circle by growing their membership 25% or more since the end of 2025: Glenn County RWF and South Placer RWF.
There is still plenty of time for clubs to qualify for the Liberty Brigade and Signers Circle levels—your continued efforts can make a real difference as we work toward the USA 250 milestone.
To keep this momentum going, I am excited to announce the CFRW May Membership Surge! Running from May 1–31, this contest challenges every club to grow through recruitment, engagement, and outreach.
Clubs will compete in four categories based on current size:
I: 1-55 members
II: 56-90 members
III: 91-250 members
IV: 251+ members
The winner in each category will be determined by the highest combined number of new members and renewals during the contest period.
The prize? Free attendance at the CFRW Summer Zoom Board of Directors Meeting for the Club President (or designee) plus one additional member. Let’s build on our success—recruit, engage, and expand the Federation this May!
I cannot wait to see what ideas your clubs have for growth in May! Share your ideas with your Region Director, other clubs, and with me! Stay tuned for more details.
A Call to Honor Our Veterans
As Chair of the CFRW Americanism Committee, I am reaching out with a heartfelt request to all clubs across California.
We are listing all the Honor Flight Welcome Home events that we currently know of planned for California this year. These powerful celebrations welcome back World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans from their honor flights to Washington, D.C., so they can visit the memorials built in their honor. The emotional “Welcome Home” gatherings are a wonderful opportunity for us to show our deep respect and gratitude.
We are asking members who live near these airports to gather groups of club members and come together to welcome our veterans and the dedicated volunteers home with love and support.
Here are the upcoming return flight dates and locations for 2026 with the details we know:
Region 4: April 22 – Bakersfield Meadows Field Airport (BFL)
Region 4: April 22 – Fresno Yosemite Int’l Airport (FAT)
Region 1: April 29 – Santa Rosa Airport (STS) – Meet at 5:00pm
Region 6: May 3 – Los Angeles Int’l Airport (LAX) –
Southwest Airlines, Terminal 1 Baggage Claim – Flight arrives at 5:30pm (SW Flight # WN2760)
Region 9: May 3 – San Diego Int’l Airport (SAN) – Terminal 2 Baggage Claim – Flight arrives at 1:15pm
Region 3: May 16 – San Francisco Int’l Airport (SFO)
Region 3: September 12 – San Francisco Int’l Airport (SFO)
Region 5: September 17 – Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX)
Region 9: September 27 – San Diego Int’l Airport (SAN) Details TBD
Region 3: October 10 – San Francisco Int’l Airport (SFO)
Region 1: October 14 – Santa Rosa Airport (STS) – Meet at 5:00pm
These activities also count toward your club’s volunteer hours, making it a meaningful way to support our veterans while contributing to your club’s service record.
Even if your club is not located near one of these dates or regions, I encourage you to explore similar Honor Flight Welcome Home opportunities in your own area or coordinate with neighboring clubs. Living our Americanism means actively remembering and honoring the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who defended our freedoms.
Let us come together as Republican women to visibly and joyfully say “thank you” to our veterans. They deserve our unwavering support and appreciation.
If your club would like more information or ideas on how to participate or to add an Honor Flight to the list, please feel free to contact me directly.
The work you are doing in your clubs and communities truly matters, and it does not go unnoticed. Thank you for showing up, staying engaged, and continuing to lead with purpose. Together, we are making a difference across California!!
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