Shawn Steel

Shawn S. Steel (born ca. 1946) is the incoming Republican National Committeeman from California. He is a past chairman of the California Republican Party (GOP) and founding director of the California chapter of the interest group, the Club for Growth. He was the cofounder of the successful 2003 campaign to recall Democratic Governor of California Gray Davis. An attorney from Palos Verdes, Steel has also written articles published in every major newspaper in his state.

Early life

Steel's lifetime of conservative political activism began in 1964 as a leader of youth supporting Barry M. Goldwater of Arizona for the U.S. presidency. In 1966, Steel was statewide chairman of youth for Ronald Reagan for governor of California. He was also the California chairman of Young Americans for Freedom, an interest group founded by columnist William F. Buckley, Jr.

Education

Steel received his bachelor of arts degree, with California state teaching credentials, from California State University, Northridge, his master of arts from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, and his Juris Doctor from Northrop Law School.

California Republican Party

Shawn Steel, one of the longest serving directors in the history of the California GOP was elected National Committeeman on February 24, 2008. He won against incumbent Tim Morgan, 590-380 reflecting a major triumph for Steel.

In 1995, Steel was elected treasurer of the California Republican Party. He presided over one of the party's most successful fundraising years. Previously, he had been assistant treasurer from 1991 to 1995. He was named vice-chairman of his party in 1999.

In 2001, Shawn Steel was elected chairman over the wealthy moderate option, Brooks Firestone.

As California Republican Party Chairman, Steel is responsible for organizing the historic recall campaign of Governor Davis, which paved the way for Arnold Schwarzenegger's election as governor. His was the first signature on the recall petition.

At the time, many California Republicans as well as national leaders, such as Gerry Parsky, questioned the strategy of recalling Gray Davis. Many party leaders objected to Steel's efforts to unseat Davis, fearing it was too risky. Steel at the CRP convention convinced an over whelming majority to endorse the Recall, thus turning the tide for the recall campaign.

California Club for Growth

In 2004, Steel and former California State Assemblyman Tony Strickland formed the California Club for Growth, which is designed to promote free market Republican candidates. During the 2004 state elections, the California Club for Growth worked without success to unseat State Assemblywoman Nicole Parra, a Democrat from Bakersfield.

Public Service

Steel was appointed by Republican Governor Pete Wilson to the California State Acupuncture Board.

Private life

Steel has been married since 1983 to the former Michelle Park (born ca. 1955), a member of the California State Board of Equalization. The couple has two children, Cheyenne P. Steel (born 1987), and Siobhan Steel (born 1990).