By Nola Webb, contributing writer

een without a chapter of College Republicans. The national organization, focused on the discussion of right-leaning ideologies among college students, faced a series of leadership struggles at the state level in South Carolina. Consequently, Wofford’s own chapter of College Republicans has fallen into a state of dormancy.

Wofford’s chapter of College Democrats remains an active political force on campus, seen hosting visitors like Joe Cunningham, South Carolina’s former democratic gubernatorial candidate, and providing ample information on the current elections. 

However, without the central leadership of an organization like College Republicans, it appears that Republican students are not allotted the same representation and opportunities on campus.

Despite the dormancy of College Republicans in South Carolina and on Wofford’s campus, similar Republican organizations have popped up at neighboring colleges.

“I believe that other campuses across the state have chartered chapters of Republican organizations such as Turning Point USA,” said Matthew Shouse ‘23, the former president of Wofford College Republicans.

Regardless of the insufficient momentum for another Republican organization on campus, Shouse maintains that Wofford College Republicans “did not go inactive due to lack of interest.”

With the recent midterm elections across the country, a concern that coincides with the absence of College Republicans at Wofford is student votership, as politically-driven student organizations are often major providers of election information and registration resources. 

As midterms and other important elections near, the College Democrats maintain a strong face in on-campus politics; the silence of Wofford’s Republican students has never seemed louder. 

While the former Republican organization had created a positive impact on the voting environment for students, bipartisan forces have risen in its absence to continue to encourage votership from all parties.

“Democrats partnered together to host a voter registration drive which saw a notable turnout even with it being a political off-year. Since going dormant, I know there have been other voter registration drives on campus through Wofford Votes,” Shouse said. “It is so important for college students to register and vote in any and all elections as our age group often does not have significant voter turnout.” 

As a senior, Shouse admits he has no plans to personally revitalize Wofford’s chapter of College Republicans. However, he does encourage students of any political party or belief to find a way to engage on campus.

“My advice for any students, Republican, Democrat or third party, looking to get politically involved would be to join a club if there is one that fits your beliefs. If there is not one that fits your party, do research on collegiate organizations that do and charter one here on campus,” Shouse said. “In addition, county-level political parties love having college students help out. The most important thing to do, however, is do research and vote in elections.” 

As many Wofford students headed to the polls on Nov. 8th for the midterm elections, the political engagement of students appears to have remained constant among the two major parties. However, there still remains a void for Republican voices on campus.

“No matter your political beliefs, you should be able to openly express them on campus,” said Emma Rose Radcliff ‘26. “I would think that only having an organization for Democrats would further divide the two parties.”

“I think a lot of organizations like these are based on student effort,” added Nan Davenport ‘26.

Radcliff and Davenport, both current freshmen at Wofford, admitted to voting in South Carolina’s recent midterm election. 

Regardless of whether Wofford’s chapter of College Republicans remains silent, the civic voices of students of all political beliefs are still heard through the current election.