Hughes Named National Historian Of

The College Republican National Committee

By Larissa Lytwyn

Sean Michael Hughes, a senior at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, was recently appointed National Historian of the College Republican National Committee. As historian, Mr Hughes will be responsible for recording, analyzing, and writing about the 111-year history of the committee.

Mr Hughes is majoring in history with concentrations in American, European, Asian, and the history of world culture. He is also the founder and president of CtGeneration.org, an online political education resource center that he ultimately hopes to expand into an academic institute at a private college, such as Quinnipiac, or one of the state’s four public universities.

“After graduating from Quinnipiac, I plan to become involved in [Newtown] politics,” said Mr Hughes. “Down the road, I would like to run for office.” He said he has the “utmost respect” for higher education and has enjoyed his time at Quinnipiac, though he said, at times, that he wished there was a little bit more political balance in the traditionally liberal college milieu. “Most teachers are Democrats,” he said, “and the Republicans are involved in business.” This stereotype, he said, however, can lead to misconceptions about both parties.

“The Republicans are often blamed for the [poor] economy,” he said. “But it’s really a long, cyclical process.” Usually, he said, current economic conditions precede the sitting political administration.

 “Ever since Abraham Lincoln, the [Republican] party [has been] fighting for freedom for all, smaller government and fiscal responsibility,” he said, “and the power in the people to make their own decisions,” he said. He continued, “I am a Republican that believes that every man, woman, and child has the right to believe in what they want to and once of the legal age to vote, vote for the person or the issue that most represents what they want.

“My family were immigrants back in the late 1890s in Sandy Hook,” he said, “working in the factories.” Five generations later, he said, he enjoys visiting family all over the state. “The future will depend on opportunities that come my way and I hope to bring my education and experience to help others to make their dream come true,” he said.

Mr Hughes has also served as chief of staff, second vice president, and webmaster of the Connecticut Union of College Republicans. He has also spent the last three years presiding over the Quinnipiac University chapter of the College Republicans, as well as been involved in various state campaigns.

One of his greatest role models is Julia Wasserman (R-106), who he thanked for providing such service to the town over the years. “She has just worked so hard and sacrificed so much!” he said. He said he is looking forward to his role as national historian, in which he will provide the grassroots, “activist” history of the committee’s more than 100 years. “I feel very fortunate,” he said.