The Brooklyn Young Republican Club was founded in 1880. It was first organized as the Young Men’s Garfield and Arthur Campaign Club. After successfully helping to tip New York State in favor of pro-reform and pro-civil service Republican candidate for President of the United States James A. Garfield in 1880, the members of the Club decided to organize it into a permanent organization named the Brooklyn Young Republican Club.
Throughout its rich and fascinating history, the Brooklyn Young Republican Club has been a fierce advocate for reform, justice, freedom, good government, due process and the rule of law under the United States Constitution, and equal opportunity of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all to enjoy.
This page represents an ongoing project to catalog various items from our history. Special thanks to former Club Presidents Jonathan J. Judge and Glenn P. Nocera for spearheading the effort.
1880-1881
Garfield & Arthur Campaign Club Becomes The Brooklyn Young Republican Club
New York Times, November 13, 1880 View
Note: The occasional reference to “Young Men’s” in the earlier part of the club’s history wasn’t necessarily a consequence of a deliberate and intentional desire to exclude women by the club, but rather more likely a reflection that women’s suffrage was not recognized as a right in New York State until 1917.
New York Times, January 30, 1881View
The Club Adopts Its Original Constitution & Bylaws
Note: The requirement that a member be 21 years of age was simply a reflection that New York State didn’t lower its voting age to 18 until the ratification of the 26th Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1971.
1896-1900
Brooklyn Young Republican Club Endorses Major McKinley for the Presidency
Brooklyn Eagle, April 28, 1896 View
Brooklyn Eagle, June 03, 1900View
1940s
Brooklyn Young Republican Club Endorses LaGuardia for Mayor
Much more to come…stay tuned!
We are exceptionally grateful to the Brooklyn Historical Society for their meticulous and careful preservation of all of Brooklyn’s history, including documents relating to our club’s history. We strongly encourage you to consider donating or becoming a member to support their invaluable mission.