Thousands of volunteers were needed to make the 2024 Republican National Convention a success. Most of those in red shirts have gray hair — but there are some young people getting their first taste of political organizing — and Republicans are hoping to keep them involved into the fall.

“So, I think they see it firsthand and they’re going to be involved,” said Kyle Schroeder. “A lot of them — most of them — are from Wisconsin. So, they’re going to be here. They’re going to be knocking on doors. And that’s what we’re going to do. That’s what we do best.”

Schroeder is the chairman of the Wisconsin Young Republicans, a group focused on recruiting, training and electing young conservatives.

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Kyle Schroeder, chair of the Wisconsin Young Republicans, discusses younger people volunteering at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July 2024. “We are the young professional arm of the Republican Party of Wisconsin here in the state, and that’s where we fit in,” Schroeder said. (Credit: PBS Wisconsin)

“We are the young professional arm of the Republican Party of Wisconsin here in the state, and that’s where we fit in,” he said. “We want to grow the conservative movement for young people, because our message resonates directly with them.”

The Wisconsin chapter was created in 2017, as the party realized students involved in College Republicans groups often didn’t have a political home after graduation.

“People get involved in College Republicans and kind of trail off, and come back to the GOP in their ’50s and ’60s, when they’re upset about property taxes or something like that. And that’s decades of lost engagement,” said state Rep. Nik Rettinger, R-Mukonago.

Rettinger also sits on the board of the Young Republican National Federation. He said they’re not content waiting for middle age to take office.

State Rep. Nik Rettinger, R-Mukonago, discusses participation by College Republicans at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July 2024. “A lot of folks like to say we’re the leaders of tomorrow. That’s not the case – we’re leading the way today,” Rettinger said. (Credit: PBS Wisconsin)

“A lot of folks like to say we’re the leaders of tomorrow. That’s not the case – we’re leading the way today,” Rettinger said.

“When I was at college, I was the president of the College Republicans at UW-Whitewater,” said John Beauchamp, who was an alternate delegate at the RNC. He said without Young Republicans, a lot of people his age might not feel comfortable going to party events.

“Let’s face it, a lot of the county parties have a very traditional way of running things, very traditional,” Beauchamp said. “The median age of the individuals that are in the county parties tends to be a little older. So the goal with the Young Republicans is to kind of provide a sense of more camaraderie amongst the young Americans, young Wisconsinites.”

John Beauchamp, alternate delegate at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, describes the role of younger Republicans in the party. “The median age of the individuals that are in the county parties tends to be a little older. So, the goal with the Young Republicans is to kind of provide a sense of more camaraderie amongst the young Americans, young Wisconsinites,” Beauchamp said. (Credit: PBS Wisconsin)

“I’ve been involved with the party since I was very small,” said Olivia Kurth, who comes from a politically active family. She worked security at one of the delegate hotels during the convention.

“We are kind of in charge of just being the eyes and ears here,” Kurth said.

She’s involved in both College Republicans and Young Republicans, and said the groups provide a safe space for young conservatives to speak their minds.

“I think in younger groups, you kind of have to test the waters a little bit,” said Kurth. “You’re like, if I throw out my opinion, is this going to go sour real fast?”

Olivia Kurth, a member of College Republicans and Young Republicans, discusses politics among younger conservatives outside the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. “I think in younger groups, you kind of have to test the waters a little bit,” Kurth said. (Credit: PBS Wisconsin)

Schoreder said they’re looking out for more like-minded younger people.

“We have a lot of Illinois implants coming here in Wisconsin and they’ve moved to Milwaukee or they moved to Madison and they’re like, ‘are there even conservatives here?'” he said. “There are. It’s the Young Republicans. And if you’re in that 20 to 30 year range, we’re here.”

They all plan to be active on the campaign trail in the fall, and their experience at the RNC will help them power through to November.

“It’s the excitement — kind of palpable in a way. I feel like just being a part of this and seeing how much energy and excitement people have for being here and for the party and everything,” Kurth said.

“There is nothing quite like being in that room, as you know, and feeling that energy on the floor of the Republican National Convention,” said Beauchamp. “So bringing that energy, bringing a boost back into our communities and into our other grassroots individuals is going to be key for us.”