February 8, 2025

Dr. Craig Smith

Dr. Craig Smith is the author of twenty-four books and 70 scholarly articles and book chapters, many of them on First Amendment issues.  Craig was named the National Speakers' Association Outstanding Professor of the Year in 1998. In 2000, he was selected as the Outstanding Professor on the campus of California State University, Long Beach. In 2006, he won the campus’ Hardeman Award for Academic Leadership. In 2010 he received the Douglas Ehninger Award from the National Communication Association for his contributions to rhetorical theory. The same association has given him the Robert O’Neill Award three times for his research on Freedom of Expression and the Gronbeck Award for contributions to political communication research. He has testified before Congress, the Federal Communications Commission, and state and local governments. He has served as a consultant to CBS News for convention, election night, and inaugural coverage. He has served on the Commission for Teacher Credentialing, as the faculty trustee on the Board of Trustees of the California State University system, and on the Cultural Heritage Commission of Long Beach.

Craig received his bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara, his master’s degree from the City University of New York, and his Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University. Earlier in his career he taught at San Diego State University, the University of Virginia, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he founded the Communication Department. He also served as a speechwriter from Presidents Gerald Ford and George H. W. Bush, Governor Pete Wilson and Chrysler CEO, Lee Iacocca.  He is the Director Emeritus of the Center for First Amendment Studies at California State University, Long Beach, where he taught for 27 years. Currently he is the co-host of the podcast History.Rated R which has over 100 episodes on file.

March 8, 2025

Bryan Watkins

Bryan Watkins serves as the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of the California Republican Party, overseeing one of the nation’s largest political party committees, with 1,500 delegates and a $36.5 million budget per election cycle. Since taking the role in 2021, he has implemented strategic initiatives to enhance party operations, election strategy, and political outreach. Under his leadership, the party has modernized its hiring practices, strengthened its financial and legal oversight, and executed large-scale political conventions that engage activists and stakeholders statewide.

Before stepping into his current position, Bryan served as the party’s Field & Political Director and Deputy Executive Director, where he played a key role in developing a multimillion-dollar field program that contributed to Republicans regaining five congressional seats in California across two election cycles. He also pioneered innovative ballot collection methods that improved voter turnout in critical districts.

Prior to his return to California in 2019, Bryan spent several years in Washington, D.C., where he served as Vice President of Political & Advocacy at iHeartMedia, managing over $80 million in political revenue and leading strategic partnerships across the country. His previous roles include Political Director at Townhall Media, where he expanded digital advertising revenue, and Executive Director of the Republican Party of New Mexico, where he worked alongside Governor Susana Martinez on redistricting efforts that helped Republicans gain a legislative majority.

His experience also includes senior positions at the Republican National Committee, where he directed the National 72-Hour Program in 2010—contributing to the GOP’s historic 63-seat gain in the U.S. House of Representatives. Throughout his career, Bryan has managed high-profile campaigns at all levels, from congressional races to presidential elections, in eight states and Washington, D.C.

A California native, Bryan earned a degree in Political Science from California State University San Marcos, where he was part of the prestigious Emerging Leaders Program. He currently resides in Sacramento with his Golden Retriever, Sammy. A passionate golfer and marathon finisher, he remains committed to expanding Republican representation at all levels in California.