A few weeks ago, excitement was palpable within the San Diego County Republican Party as preparations for the annual Lincoln-Reagan Dinner were underway.
Executive Director Jacob Richards expressed optimism about the fundraiser, promising it would be a significant event for the party.
However, this optimism stands in stark contrast to the sentiments shared by several party insiders who voice concern over the lack of commitments from reputable sponsors.
Sources revealed to Times of San Diego that well-known organizations, including the Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, the San Diego Police Officers Association, and the San Diego Association of Realtors, have opted not to reserve tables for the event, scheduled for mid-June.
The insider, who wished to remain anonymous, indicated that many high-value donors, who have contributed amounts ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 in prior years, have either not been approached or have declined to provide pledges this time.
General entry tickets for the dinner, known informally as “President Trump’s Golden Age Celebration Dinner,” are priced at $375 each.
Despite multiple requests for comment, individual potential donors and the Realtors organization did not respond.
A source knowledgeable about the situation involving police organizations mentioned that involvement from law enforcement was improbable following Assemblyman Carl DeMaio’s ascension to leadership within the local party.
This disconnect has reportedly led to a situation described as a “civil war” within the party ranks, impacting the overall fundraising efforts.
As a result, many insiders fear that the Lincoln-Reagan Dinner, which historically raises between $600,000 and $750,000, may fall short of expectations, with insiders predicting income closer to $320,000 for this year’s event.
Additionally, the event’s featured speaker this year raised eyebrows—unlike popular past speakers such as governors or U.S. senators like Ted Cruz, Kristi Noem, or Rand Paul, KC Crosbie, co-chair of the Republican National Committee, is slated to deliver the keynote address, sparking disappointment among party members.
Reports suggested that the majority of the Central Committee had to look up Crosbie’s credentials, with insiders expressing concerns over the lack of recognition.
Despite her position, party chair Paula Whitsell is promoting the appearance of Scott Presler, who has garnered the nickname of “the gay face of the MAGA movement” and claims credit for influencing Pennsylvania voters towards Trump.
Set to take place on June 14 at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, the Lincoln-Reagan Dinner has reportedly secured initial commitments totaling $354,000 and has already collected $121,000, as noted in an email from Jacob Richards on May 8.
Richards described the early financial successes as a “powerful start,” yet emphasized that more work remains before the event.
Just two days prior to Richards’ email, Central Committee member Brad Gerbel shared with GOP leaders the outcomes of the Executive Committee meeting.
Gerbel reported that only four tables had received payment for the dinner, although one Caucus Chair indicated they had approximately $20,000 in checks pending, which could potentially improve the fundraising results.
He noted that the party has already deposited $25,000 with the Marriott for event organization costs.
Nevertheless, Gerbel expressed disappointment over the lack of clarity regarding the party’s existing financial position amid concerns highlighted about the party’s reliance on funds from the Victory Fund, particularly those associated with Chula Vista Mayor John McCann’s supervisor campaign.
Gerbel stressed the need for transparency concerning how much cash is available for general operating expenses.
The concerns over party finances are exacerbated by a damaging lack of Directors and Officers Insurance, which Gerbel had flagged as a significant risk for members.
In an email from April 15, he pointed out that the party’s current financial state could expose individual members to personal liability in the event of a lawsuit as the party’s insurance had lapsed due to non-payment from previous administrations.
Richards confirmed the lapse in email communications, reassuring that they became aware of the issue following the transition in leadership back in December.
He mentioned that the annual premium of roughly $12,000 must be reconsidered as the party confronts precarious financial conditions.
Richard affirmed that the lack of D&O coverage had not been deemed critical until recently, as prior leadership had not felt its necessity.
The matter of insurance coverage will be discussed thoroughly with the Executive Committee after the Lincoln-Reagan Dinner, Richards stated.
Despite ongoing concerns, Gerbel confirmed he was unhappy that his critical communications had been leaked to the media, leading him to refrain from further comment.
The San Diego GOP’s finances paint a complicated picture, with a recent budget projection showing an anticipated income of $837,200 against total expenditures of $886,200, which equates to a $49,000 deficit.
Federal Election Commission data covering the months from January to April indicates that the Republican Party of San Diego County has raised $162,811.99 against expenditures totaling $144,345.58, leaving a cash balance of only $52,336.53 by the end of April.
Amid these challenges, Chair Whitsell had previously reported news of minor success regarding the party’s rent situation for their Mission Valley office, which had originally been set at $5,000 per month.
After initial preparation to vacate and negotiations that followed, the landlord agreed to lower the rate to $4,250, representing a 15% reduction.
The party benefited from a temporary reprieve, as no rent payment was due for March, and the adjusted payments for the rest of the year would total $3,150 monthly, with catch-up payments coming in early 2026.
Despite this hopeful news, a source familiar with the situation revealed that the party is still, in fact, paying the stated office rent, which exceeds what was disclosed and appropriated in the budget.
Chair Whitsell has not responded to inquiries about these discrepancies, nor has Executive Director Richards.
In a communications update on May 21, Richards touted the upcoming dinner, remarking on the rising funds and signaling potential for a successful event.
“Thanks to your support, we’ve already raised over $200,000 towards our fundraising goal, putting us well on track to surpass last year’s numbers and fuel key efforts to win elections across San Diego County,” he wrote.
He further urged those yet to acquire tables or tickets to act swiftly as demand appeared to be on the rise, closing the message with encouragement for party members to unify in their efforts to reclaim political power in the upcoming election cycles.
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