The political journey of Brilyn Hollyhand, often touted as the successor to the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, has been marked by a mixture of anticipation and controversy. Hollyhand first emerged on the political scene in early 2023, when he approached then-Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel with a proposal: to create a youth advisory council aimed at amplifying the voices of young conservatives and mobilizing Gen Z voters for the 2024 election.
McDaniel, recognizing the potential for engaging a new generation of voters, gave the green light, and the RNC Youth Advisory Council came to life by mid-2023, with Hollyhand and C.J. Pearson at the helm. The mission was clear-cut: to organize and involve young conservatives in the political discourse, providing them with a platform ahead of Donald Trump’s anticipated presidential campaign.
Despite the RNC's backing, which included funding and access to its extensive network, Rift News reported that Hollyhand's initiative began to falter by the end of 2023. The council's presence was hardly felt, with no significant organizing efforts or outreach campaigns visible, especially on college campuses where their counterparts on the left were gaining traction through active voter registration drives and issue-based organizing.
Hollyhand’s defense of the council's achievements centered around an online debate event that reportedly attracted over a million views. Yet, this metric fell short of demonstrating any real impact on voter engagement or turnout, leaving many to question the substance behind the figures.
The council's inefficacy came to a head in December 2023 when several members, including Republican strategist Caroline Wren, resigned in protest. Their departure was punctuated by a public letter slamming the RNC for the council's lack of direction and accusing it of being a smokescreen for fundraising efforts.
Adding to the turmoil, Hollyhand's defense of McDaniel's leadership and the RNC's controversial "Bank Your Vote" campaign, which focused on deep-blue states rather than swing states, drew ire from prominent conservative figures such as Tyler Bowyer of Turning Point Action.
In the backdrop of these organizational challenges were questions about Hollyhand's credibility. Notably, his receipt of the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award from Alabama's Secretary of State, John Merrill, raised eyebrows, given the campaign donations from Hollyhand's grandfather and the subsequent extramarital scandal involving Merrill.
Moreover, rifts began to emerge between Hollyhand's stances and the core tenets of the America First movement. His advocacy for increased legal immigration and his indecision on whether AIPAC should register under FARA, as highlighted on social media, signaled a departure from the movement's focus on sovereignty and accountability.
As the Republican Party reckons with a generational shift, the narrative surrounding Brilyn Hollyhand serves as a cautionary tale. The grassroots conservative base is calling for leaders who not only espouse their values but also demonstrate tangible results and a commitment to their principles. Hollyhand's tenure as co-chair, marred by unmet expectations and policy misalignments, reflects the growing disconnect between establishment endorsements and effective activism.
