Craney, 28, is executive director of the D.C. Republican Committee, having held the job for nearly three years.
What drove you to this job?
I came from New Jersey and Massachusetts, and working politics there, and I never thought I would get any bluer — but then I came to D.C. They really wanted someone with new ideas and new energy coming forward, and they chose me.
Why the Republican Party?
I was raised a Republican, but really when I went to college and since then I have kind of tested my affiliation with the party and I’ve gotten stronger with it. I don’t necessarily agree with all the positions the party has, but I think that’s healthy.
It’s got to be a challenge in a city with so few registered Republicans?
I think it’s even harder to be the Democratic Party because it’s always the party in power and there are often missteps. Even though [the city] voted for Obama, very often they’re pretty supportive of what we’re trying to do here, which is to stand up for good government issues.
What is your focus?
We’re here to act in a few different roles. One is to try and win elections on a number of levels, one is to increase our voter registration numbers and another is to act as a check on Democratic politics in D.C., which includes what the council and mayor does.
How do you do it?
We feel very strongly we have to be seen. Last fall there were all sorts of festivals in D.C. and we participated in every one. We were there with volunteers, with literature in English and Spanish. We had an unbelievable amount of people come forward.
How are you setting up for next year’s elections?
I think this is the first time ever they will have so many Republican candidates running for D.C. Council. I think after the holiday you’ll be hearing from the candidates more often.
— Michael Neibauer
