Alabama Delegation has a good week at the Young Republican Convention in Nashville

August 3, 2025 – NASHVILLE, TN. - The 2025 Young Republican National Convention was held July 30 to August 3 at the Sheraton Music City. The event drew hundreds of energized delegates from across the country for a weekend of networking, training, and high-stakes leadership elections. The convention included a sizable contingent from Alabama led by Alabama YR Federation Chair Stephanie Petelos Nabavian.

"The Young Republicans will continue to lead the charge on the ground to make gains for Republicans during the mid-terms," said Chair Pelos Nabavian. "It was wonderful to see Young Republicans from all around the country together and fired up for the election cycle ahead."

The centerpiece of the weekend was the contested election for leadership of the Young Republican National Federation (YRNF), pitting incumbent Chair Hayden Padgett's "Grow YR" slate against the insurgent "Restore YR" campaign led by New York State Young Republicans Chair Peter Giunta. The race was marked by sharp personal and ideological divisions, with both factions vying to position themselves as the true standard-bearers of the MAGA movement.

Ultimately the incumbent Grow YR team emerged on top in the power struggle.

" I'm excited my good friends Hayden Padgett, Catherine Whiteford, Nik Rettinger, and the rest of the Grow team were re-elected to serve for two more years," said Pelelos Nabavian.

The bitter internal tensions did not negatively affect the convention's traditional structure, offering breakout trainings, keynote luncheons, and networking events throughout the week. Highlights included Capitol tours, a charity cornhole tournament, and a black-tie optional National Awards Dinner on Saturday night. The event ended with a prayer breakfast to close the weekend.

Logan Glass is the past St. Clair Young Republican Chair and the current political director for Steve Marshall's U.S. Senate campaign.

"We had a strong delegation I hope all our delegates bring something back to improve YRFA from the great speakers, trainings and panels we attended," said Glass. "We had a great time, I'm glad so many Alabama YRs attended. Hopefully it was an inspiring weekend for everyone and that they all brought back positive momentum we can build on."

The convention's official programming underscored the YRNF's role as a grassroots engine for Republican campaigns. With over 14,000 members nationwide, the organization has long served as a pipeline for future GOP leaders and a boots-on-the-ground force during election cycles

Nate Butler is the Senior Vice Chairman of the Alabama Yrs.

"The YRNC was a great week in Nashville with Young Republicans from across the Nation," said Butler.

"The Alabama delegation received several compliments ranging from "most fun delegation" to "best looking delegation" and that's a testament to Young Republicans across Alabama," said Jared Downing who serves as the Alabama YR National Committeeman. "I was very proud to see my friend Hayden Padgett be re-election as Chairman and Catherine Whiteford and Nik Rettinger re-elected as Co-Chair and Vice Chair. "

After securing re-election as Chair of the Young Republican National Federation, Hayden Padgett emphasized unity and forward momentum.

"We're going to keep building, keep growing, and keep winning," said Padgett in a statement following the vote. "The Young Republicans are stronger than ever, and we're ready to lead the charge into 2026 and beyond."

Padgett framed the victory as a mandate for his "Grow YR" slate's vision of expanding the organization's reach while maintaining conservative principles. According to reporting from Nevada News and Views, he described the mission as one rooted in "opportunity, freedom, and conservative values."

The upcoming YRNF Spring Leadership Conference is scheduled for Washington, D.C. in February. The location of the 2026 convention has not been announced yet.

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