2024 GOPAC Class of Emerging Leaders

Washington, DC – GOPAC announced the twenty-nine legislators in its 2024 class of Emerging Leaders. Nominated by the legislative leadership in their state, these legislators have demonstrated promise in positively impacting their state and rising within the Republican ranks.

"Our 2024 class of Emerging Leaders is the next installment in our mission to build a roster of State Republicans who are focused on ideas to advance Americans' personal and economic security," said GOPAC Chairman David Avella. "Whether it is leading in their state legislative chamber or running for higher office in the future, we welcome being part of their development and success."

The prestigious GOPAC Emerging Leaders Program is a year-long initiative to educate the next generation of Republican legislators. The Program equips these legislators with information to help them legislate more effectively and ultimately achieve leadership roles within their state or run for higher office.

Emerging Leaders Class of 2024:

SENATE

Garlan Gudger

Alabama Senator

State Senator Garlan Gudger represents District 4. He assumed office on November 7, 2018. His current term ends on November 4, 2026.

Senator Gudger graduated from Cullman High School, where he earned a bachelor's degree in building science from Auburn University. Gudger’s previous jobs include working as the owner of Southern Accents Architectural Antiques. Gudger was the youngest member to be elected to the Cullman City Council.

@garlangudgerjr

Joshua Bryant

Arkansas Senator

State Senator Joshua Bryant represents District 32, which includes the eastern third of Benton County and the northeast part of Washington County.

Senator Bryant is vice co-chair of the Joint Performance Review (JPR) Committee.  He is a member of the Senate Education Committee, the Senate City, County, and Local Affairs Committee, and the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee. Senator Bryant served one term in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 2021 through 2022.

Senator Bryant is a graduate of BCCS in Rogers in 1996.  After graduation he joined the United States Marine Corps and served five years, reaching the rank of Sergeant.  After serving in the U.S.M.C. he worked for 12 years for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  In 2014, he joined a construction venture and together with his business partner grew the company into one of the most successful firms in Northwest Arkansas.

Scott Webster

Iowa Senator

State Senator Scott Webster represents District 47. He assumed office on January 3, 2023. His current term ends on January 2, 2027.

Senator Webster graduated from Bettendorf High School in 1998. Webster's career experience includes owning Webster Properties LLC and Premier Custom Homes LLC. He served as the president of Home Builders of Iowa and an alderman with the City of Bettendorf, Iowa.

Cyndi Carrasco

Indiana Senator

State Senator Cyndi Carrasco represents District 36. She assumed office on November 1, 2023. Her current term ends on November 6, 2024.

Senator Carrasco earned a B.A. in political science from the University of Texas at El Paso in 2002 and a J.D. from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in 2006. Her career experience includes working as an attorney, including as vice president and general counsel at the University of Indianapolis. Carrasco was the Indiana inspector general from 2015 to 2017.

@robbymillsforky

Renee Erickson

Kansas Senator

State Senator Renee Erickson represents District 30. She assumed office on January 11, 2021. Her current term ends on January 13, 2025.

Senator Erickson was born in Newton, Kansas, and lives in Wichita, Kansas. Erickson graduated from Newton High School. She earned a degree in business administration from Oklahoma Christian University, a degree in business education from Wichita State University, a master's degree in public school administration from Baker University, and a master's degree in family life education and consultation from Kansas State University. Erickson's career experience includes working as a teacher, a data and assessment coordinator, a middle school principal, a financial planner, and the director of the Unified School District 259 instructional technology center.

@zachduckworth

Robby Mills

Kentucky Senator

State Senator Robby Mills represents District 4. He assumed office on January 1, 2019. His current term ends on January 1, 2027.

Senator Mills was born in Henderson, Kentucky. He graduated from Henderson County High School in 1985. He earned a bachelor's degree in business management from Oral Roberts University in 1989. Mills' career experience includes running his family's dry cleaning service and a business assisting homeowners following disasters.

Adam Bass

Louisiana Senator

State Senator Adam Bass represents District 36. He assumed office on January 8, 2024. His current term ends on January 10, 2028.

Senator Bass earned a degree from Louisiana Tech. He has been a small business owner for over 20 years and a member and past Bossier Parish School Board president.

@senbryanhughes

Zach Duckworth

Minnesota Senator

State Senator Zach Duckworth represents District 57. He assumed office on January 3, 2023. His current term ends on January 5, 2027.

Senator Duckworth lives in Lakeville, Minnesota. Duckworth joined the Minnesota Army National Guard and had reached the rank of Major by 2023. He earned a B.A. in 2009 and an M.B.A. in 2015, both from the University of St. Thomas. Duckworth's career experience includes working in the real estate industry and owning a business.

Benton Sawrey

North Carolina Senator

State Senator Benton Sawrey represents District 10. He assumed office on January 1, 2023. His current term ends on January 1, 2025.

Benton Sawrey was born in and lives in Johnston County, North Carolina. Sawrey graduated from Smithfield-Selma Senior High School in 2005. He earned a B.A. in political science and government from North Carolina State University in 2009 and a J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2013. His career experience includes working as an attorney. Sawrey volunteered on the board of trustees at Johnston Community College, as the president of the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation, and as board treasurer of the Partnership for Children of Johnston County.

@davidaray

Todd Gollihare

Oklahoma Senator

State Senator Todd Gollihare represents District 12. He assumed office on November 23, 2022. His current term ends on November 18, 2026.

Senator Gollihare grew up in Stratford, Oklahoma where he graduated from Stratford Public Schools. He went on to attend East Central University where he received a bachelor of science degree in Business Administration. Upon completion of college, he joined the United States Marines. Lieutenant Colonel Gollihare began his career as a United States Marine Corps Officer in May 1986 and retired after twenty-five years of service in November 2011. While serving in the Marines, he attended The University of Tulsa College of Law and received his Juris Doctorate. In addition to his military service, Senator Gollihare served as the Chief United States Probation Officer for the Northern District of Oklahoma. A position he held until his retirement in April of 2021. Senator Gollihare made his home in Kellyville for over twenty years and served on the Kellyville Board of Education from 2004 to 2016.

@quangnguyenaz

Danny Diggs

Virginia Senator

State Senator Danny Diggs represents District 24. He assumed office on January 10, 2024. His current term ends on January 12, 2028.

Senator Diggs has dedicated his career to helping those on the Peninsula. After starting as a Poquoson Police dispatcher when he was just 19 years old, Sheriff Diggs worked his way up the ranks — from corrections officer to uniformed police officer to investigator — all while earning a degree in Police Science and starting a family. He is proud to have been the Sheriff for York County and the City of Poquoson, a role he has executed faithfully for more than twenty years. With more than 45 years as a law enforcement officer, his service has been recognized and awarded by organizations across the commonwealth and country.

Romaine Quinn

Wisconsin Senator

State Senator Romaine Quinn represents District 25. He assumed office on January 3, 2023. His current term ends on January 4, 2027.

Senator Quinn was born in Wisconsin and lives in Cameron. Quinn graduated from Rice Lake High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science and public leadership from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Quinn was elected to the Rice Lake City Council during his last year of high school. He was then elected mayor of Rice Lake, Wisconsin.

HOUSE

@brendenjonesnc

David Ray

Arkansas Representative

State Representative David Ray represents District 69. He assumed office on January 9, 2023. His current term ends on January 13, 2025.

Representative Ray lives in Maumelle, Arkansas. Ray earned a B.S. in communication and political science from the University of the Ozarks. His career experience includes working as a consultant, a communications strategist, the chief of staff to then-Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin, and the state director of Americans for Prosperity Arkansas.

Quang Nguyen

Arizona Representative

State Representative Quang Nguyen represents District 1. He assumed office on January 11, 2021. His current term ends on January 13, 2025.

Representative Nguyen earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial arts from Long Beach State University. Nguyen’s career experience includes working with Northrop Corporation and as the founder of Caddis Advertising.

Jennifer Canady

Florida Representative

State Representative Jennifer Canady represents District 50. She assumed office on November 8, 2022. Her current term ends on November 5, 2024.

Representative Canady was born in Lakeland, Florida. Canady graduated from Kathleen High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from Florida State University and a master's degree from the University of South Florida. Canady's career experience includes working as a teacher and the director of the RISE Institute at Lakeland Christian School.

Leesa Hagan

Georgia Representative

State Representative Leesa Hagan represents District 156. She assumed office on July 23, 2021. Her current term ends on January 13, 2025.

Leesa Hagan was born in Decatur, Georgia. Hagan earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia in 1995. Her career experience includes owning a business.

Jake Teshka

Indiana Representative

State Representative Jake Teshka represents District 7. He assumed office on November 4, 2020. His current term ends on November 6, 2024.

Representative Teshka was born and lives in South Bend, Indiana. Teshka graduated from St. Joseph High School. He earned a B.A. in political science from St. Joseph's College and an M.P.A. from Indiana University at South Bend.

Chanz Green

Wisconsin Assemblyman

State Assemblyman Chanz Green represents District 74. He assumed office on January 3, 2023. His current term ends on January 6, 2025.

Assemblyman Green was born in Wisconsin and lives in Grand View. Green's career experience includes working in municipal utilities as the utility manager of the City of Ashland. He also owned and operated several small businesses.

Alex Riley

Missouri Representative

State Representative Alex Riley represents District 134. He assumed office on January 6, 2021. His current term ends on January 8, 2025.

Representative Riley was born and lives in Springfield, Missouri. Riley earned a B.A. in political science from Thomas Edison State University and a J.D. from Southern Illinois University. His career experience includes working as an attorney with the Healy Law Offices, LLC.

Brenden Jones

North Carolina Representative

State Representative Brenden Jones represents District 46. He assumed office on January 1, 2017. His current term ends on January 1, 2025. 

Representative Jones is a small business owner. He currently serves as the Deputy Majority Leader within the North Carolina House of Representatives. In addition to this leadership role, Jones serves as the Senior Chairman of the House Transportation Committee, as well as both the Chairman of the House Transportation Appropriations Committee and Vice Chairman of the House Rules Committee.