History of the Blue Chip Young Republicans

The Blue Chip Young Republicans were founded in the fall of 1988 by Bill Kintner as one of three Young Republican clubs in Cincinnati. However, the Blue Chippers quickly distinguished themselves by putting countless hours into Steve Chabot’s campaign for congress and Mike Allen’s campaign for city council.

What made Blue Chip so different from other Young Republican clubs is the club was unabashedly conservative and was not afraid to take stands on local and national issues. At the same time Blue Chip was a fun organization with lots of social events and even did some high profile charity events.

As the club grew it became one of the powerhouse clubs in the Ohio League of Young Republican Clubs and in the Young Republican National Federation. Blue Chip became known as a club that was an advocate for conservative issues, a workhorse in Republican campaigns, and a fun organization for young professionals to be involved in.

Along the way Blue Chip has won three national awards including YRNF Club of the Year in 1997, raised thousands of dollars for the homeless, and has seen seven couples meet and latter marry. The first fifteen years have been an incredible run and it looks like the club's best years are yet to come.

Below are the highlights of Blue Chip's first 15 years:

10/88 -The club has it's first meeting at the old Blue Moon Saloon in Hyde Park; it is attended by nine people and Bill Kintner is elected as the first Chairman of the organization
11/88 -As the first official club project, Blue Chip puts in countless hours on Steve Chabot’s campaign
7/89 - Blue Chip hosts the OLYRC state convention for the first time at the Clarion hotel (now known as the Millennium Hotel)
8/89 - Blue Chip holds the first annual "Bash For The Homeless" raising $10,000 and getting major coverage from the Cincinnati Post and Enquirer
11/89 - Blue Chip puts in a major campaign effort on Mike Allen’s city council race; members walk over seventy precincts for Allen. The club was meeting downtown at the Bistro on Vine and at Bacall’s on 7th Street
12/90 - First issue of the Blue Chip Review was published. In its two-year run, the newsletter became nationally known and a popular read in Republican circles around Cincinnati. It was funny and definitely irreverent.
2/90 - Blue chip member Bobby Rodgers becomes the first member to hold the chairmanship of the OLYRC. The club meetings are now held on Pete Rose Way at The Spaghetti Factory, and Flannigans.
4/91-Tired of not being a part of the county party’s Lincoln Day Banquet, Blue Chip holds it's own Lincoln Day Banquet which is attended by 150 people at the Clarion Hotel. Local conservative organizations are invited to have membership booths and it is attended by a who’s who of the Republican Party. Stan Solomon was the guest MC, and Congressman Jim Bunning was awarded the Conservative of the Year.
7/91- Blue Chip receives its first national award from the YRNF for the "Bash For The Homeless" at the YRNF National Convention in Miami.
8/91 - The "Bash For The Homeless" sets a record by drawing over 2000 people to the new site on the parking deck at the Baldwin Building. This event raises over $19,000 and gets major TV, radio and print coverage.
11/91 - Blue Chip members collect over 6000 signatures to put the Cincinnati City Council term limits initiative on the ballot and then work countless hours to pass it.
7/93 - Blue Chip receives its 2nd national award from the YRNF in Charleston, WV at the national convention. The club is now meeting at Jimmy’s Stadium Club downtown.
11/93 - Blue Chip works to get the signatures to put Issue 3 on the ballot to insure homosexuals do not get special rights in Cincinnati, and works hard to help it pass.
11/94 - The members of Blue Chip pitch to help the Republicans to regain control of Congress by working to elect Steve Chabot.
1/95 - Bill Kintner steps down and Frank Shaut becomes the second Chairman in the clubs history.
7/95 - Blue Chip holds a cigar dinner in conjunction with the Private Smoking Club in Mt. Lookout at the Phoenix in downtown Cincinnati. It sold out quickly and was attended by 125 people.
12/95 - Blue Chips holds it Christmas Party at the Private Smoking Club and it is a smashing success, attended by over 70 people. This continues until the club closes in 1999.
9/96 - Bill Kintner again becomes Chairman and the club enjoys another growth spurt, Blue Chip is now recognized as the premier YR club in Ohio.
3/97 - Janie Wolfe becomes Chairman of Blue Chip as Bill Kintner moves on to become the second Blue Chipper elected as Chairman of the OLYRC.
7/97 - Blue Chip gets its third national award when the YRNF names it the Club of the Year at the national convention in San Juan, PR
9/97 - Blue Chip hosts a Funfest Weekend with Young Republicans coming from across the country to enjoy a fun weekend in Cincinnati.
12/98 - Blue Chip holds a 10th Anniversary party at the Private Smoking Club. It is attended by many elected officials who recall their fondest memories of the Blue Chip Young Republicans over the years.
6/99 - Blue Chip plays host the YRNF national convention held at the Regal. Speakers include Charlton Heston, Lamar Alexander, John Kasich, Herman Cain, Rich Galen, Rob Portman and Anne Northrup. It received major media coverage.
3/00 - Blue Chip member Michael Harlow is elected Chairman of the OLYRC making him the third Blue Chipper to hold the office.
1/02 - Blue Chip members Michael Harlow and Heather Ellis were married; this became the seventh marriage between club members. To our knowledge no club as had more marriages.
3/03 - Blue Chipper Mike Jordan was named the OLYRC Man of the Year, and Randy O'Hara, then Blue Chip president, received the OLYRC's highest honor, the John M. Ashbrook Award.
11/03 - Blue Chip Vice-Chairman Heather Harlow is elected Clerk of Colerain Township, becoming the first active member to hold elected public office.
5/04 - The Blue Chip Young Republican Club wins the OLYRC's first-ever Outstanding Website Award.