Tanner Elliott's campaign photo as a candidate for chair of Young Republicans of Oregon. 

SALEM — At just 24 years old, Tanner Elliott is hoping to usher in a new era as chair of the Young Republicans of Oregon.

The former John Day resident is betting his considerable experience, coupled with his youth, will carry him to the YRO’s highest leadership position. A descendant of Grant County pioneers, Elliott said his rural conservative values give him the fresh perspective the organization needs.

“The main goal is to recruit Republicans, to train them and elect them,” he said. “It’s to essentially help younger conservatives, younger Republicans.”

Elliott’s prior public service includes three years on the Grant County Planning Commission, two years as a Grant County precinct committee person, an internship with U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., and his present duties as a legislative chief of staff in Salem. 

Elliott is running against one other candidate for the position of chair. He said the vote will likely be held in Eugene sometime in March.

Only YRO members aged 18-40 who have paid the $50 membership fee can vote.

If elected to the chairmanship, Elliot’s duties would mostly involve facilitating meetings, determining and executing the direction of the organization and, maybe most importantly, helping young Republicans get elected and advance their careers.

“It’s leading the vision of the organization, it’s leading the goals, working with candidates across the state and saying, ‘Hey, let’s get our organization here,’” he said. “‘Let’s help so and so with their campaign. Let’s help them at a campaign event, or let’s help them with door knocking or phone calling, or let’s help run a fundraiser for them.’”

With a campaign slogan of “New Leadership, New Era,” Elliott said he has racked up a number of high-profile endorsements in his bid for the organization’s top spot, including Oregon Rep. Ed Diehl, YRO National Committeeman Calvin Bennett and no fewer than seven state representatives or high-profile Republicans running for state office in Oregon.

“I think it shows that people respect the leadership style I bring and just showing that I’m somebody who they can work with, somebody who’s effective,” he said.

“The endorsements that I have, the experience that I have, and the things that I’ve accomplished put me in a great position to lead this organization and to make it grow, to recruit new members and to fundraise, to get money in this organization.”