The harsh national political climate, tainted by partisan gridlock and dismal economic conditions, has led many to predict that the 2010 midterm elections will result in significant gains for the Republican Party.  Although the University is considered to be a heavily left-leaning institution and has a history of liberal activism, a group of student conservatives have been working vigorously towards making their political desires a reality in the upcoming elections.

“We represent the right in a place where everything right-of-center is not the norm and is often barely tolerated,” said Victoria Rowe ’13, the president of the Wesleyan College Republicans (WCR).

Members of the WCR, currently numbering over 100 students on their e-mail list, have expressed excitement toward what Rowe referred to as a potential “huge swing to the right”. The group has been steadily increasing their numbers, up from 60 member in 2009, and 40 in the 2005-2006 year.

“Right now, fiscal issues are at the forefront of people’s minds, and the right is unified under those principles,” Rowe said.

Alexander Levin ’12 shares the conviction that the conservative presence on campus is growing with both increased student activity and changing political atmosphere.

“Though some people may not like it, that same attitude only fuels our desire to spread our message to students,” Levin said. “This is occurring not only at Wesleyan, but also all over the state and country.”

Levin’s perspective is connected with the roles he plays in state Republican movement. As the chairman of the Connecticut Union of College Republicans, Levin oversees the actions and activities of all college Republican groups in the state.

“Having a Wesleyan student chair this organization is a testament to how far the WCR has come as chapter and the impact we have had on Wesleyan and the community,” Levin said.

On a state level, Levin has similarly noted an increased interest in Republican politics.

“We have seen some great numbers this year in terms of recruitment and volunteering, having recruited tens of thousands of new CRs nationally and put in tens of thousands more of volunteer hours,” Levin said. “Our CR membership in Connecticut has increased by over 20 percent this semester as well.”

Efforts in Connecticut have been geared towards candidates such as Linda McMahon, a former World Wrestling Entertainment executive who is running for the retiring Christopher Dodd’s Senate seat; and Tom Foley, a businessman who is looking to succeed Governor M. Jodi Rell, a Republican.

WCR members, despite their surge in numbers and enthusiasm, have not overtly endorsed the Tea Party movement that has generated interest in several national candidates. Despite the controversy that surrounds the Tea Party, Rowe attests that the movement does have a slight influence on the Wesleyan Republicans in terms of principles.  A recent meeting focused on the role of the Tea Party in the GOP and prompted some disagreement among members.

“Some were cautious to extend support to the movement because of the characterization given to the Tea Party by certain extremists,” Rowe said. “Others, such as myself, fully support the Tea Party because it is a grassroots movement bringing conservatives and libertarians together under principles we both believe in.”

Levin similarly attests that despite the primacy of the left amongst students, the touchstones of the Tea Party have a place on campus.

“Lowering spending and taxes and decreasing the size of government are things that students should embrace, especially at Wesleyan,” Levin said. “Wes students like to be independent in all aspects of our lives, and embracing the idea of ‘limited intervention’ in our daily activities is the same as the Tea Party’s message of limited government.”

Although the national political picture is polarized, Rowe and others have expressed optimism that bipartisanship will play a greater role nationally, if not just on the Wesleyan campus.

“Bipartisanship isn’t possible without both sides,” Rowe said. “By being the other side we help make Wesleyan a more bipartisan campus.”

The WCR has recently published a new edition of The Wesleyan Witness, a collection of essays that, in this case, focused exclusively on Connecticut and the upcoming elections. The new edition features pieces on the recently passed health care law and the Connecticut state budget, among other topics. It heralds a return to a focus on true campus issues, a return to principle, and the rejection of “a myopic obsession with perceived slights and insults”.