The topic up for discussion among College Republican chapters across the United States is, “Should we endorse Donald Trump for president?” Chapters at Harvard University and Pennsylvania State have already made it clear that they won't be supporting the Republican candidate, causing division and animosity among many of their members.

Harvard University’s College Republican chapter was the first group to go viral for coming out against the Republican presidential nominee. The group took to Facebook with a statement, calling Trump a “threat to the survival of the Republic,” and called on party leaders to renounce their support as well. The club received a lot of backlash, with comments like “If y'all are affiliated with the CRNC (College Republican National Committee), you're violating our bylaws and might lose your national charter,” and, “How about instead of trashing Trump you highlight what makes Hillary better?!?”

The Pennsylvania State College Republicans followed suit a week later stating, “Our membership was given the chance to vote on whether they would support Donald Trump. We found that a vast majority of the membership, roughly 72 percent, was against having us support him." The Pennsylvania State Federation of College Republicans chair, Zach Bartman, has condemned their actions stating, “If members of chapter leadership teams cannot support the nominee, we ask that you step down in exchange for leadership that can wholeheartedly support our presidential candidate Donald J. Trump, and candidates of all other levels [of] PA government… We have a responsibility to voters, and if we want to maintain this party, we must respect them.”

Bartman brings up an interesting point. Donald Trump received a historic popular vote of 13,300,472, which is around 3 million+ more than Mitt Romney’s primary popular vote of 9,809,662 in 2012. Donald Trump also received the party's nomination for President of the United States fair and square.

The more important issue at hand is that Republicans (young Republicans, specifically) are not uniting behind the candidate. All College Republicans’ chapters are founded on the precept that they will stand behind the Republican Party on issues and endeavors on the local, state, and national levels. Above all, endorsing or supporting their party’s nominee is a means to galvanize support and encourage members to be more involved in national and local political campaigns this fall. As Republicans, we cannot hope to get messages of inclusivity and change across to prospective voters if we do not put forth a united front. College Republican chapters should also be mindful that public refusal to support or endorse Trump may not be in adherence to their particular state GOP’s views. This could, and likely will, lead to retribution such as the loss of donors and state support of their organizations. Public views expressed in opposition to a state GOP could also risk opportunities to volunteer and intern for state and local government.

It is my belief that all chapters of College Republicans nationwide should be involved in as many campaigns as possible and support their member’s involvement in the campaigns they believe in, whether it is the total support or endorsement of the chapter or not. Not everyone is going to be on board the “Trump Train,” but as Republicans who care about individual and economic liberty, we must put forth a unified effort to welcome in those individuals who stand by our beliefs and let them know that there is a place for them in the Republican Party. While some may dislike Mr. Trump’s brash personality, key features of his platform such as his opposition to abortion, his economic plan, and his selection of Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate have made his vision clear. Failure to support Trump dilutes our influence, and will not only negatively affect the presidential election, but also state and local elections. It is my belief that in order to present a unified GOP, College Republicans should urge their members to support Donald Trump.