In an effort to connect the public with public officials and candidates, Trumbull County Republican Chairwoman Julia Shutt developed “Coffee at the Clubhouse,” a monthly event at party headquarters.

“I wanted to create a series of events that wouldn’t take a lot of planning, but would bring the public closer to those who they voted for and those who are running for office,” Shutt said. “You can stop in at headquarters once a month and get a cup of coffee and learn from an officeholder.”

The initial event took place Saturday with state Rep. David Thomas, R-Jefferson, who represents parts of Trumbull and Ashtabula counties in the Ohio House. About 30 people attended.

“We had a welcoming crowd and a state representative who talked to people about property tax reform and other issues,” Shutt said. “We do it on a small scale and have people come to the headquarters and use Coffee at the Clubhouse to educate people. It’s a fun way to connect people.”

Natasha Natale, a Warren Municipal Court judge, is the next speaker at 10 a.m. March 22.

The party’s headquarters are located at 1195 Niles Cortland Road SE in Howland.

“I want to bring attention to our headquarters and that we can use it even when it’s not election season,” Shutt said. “We need to upgrade the look of the headquarters. I’d like to improve the landscaping and the entrance to make it more appealing. It’s part of the image of who we are. We want to have curb appeal and have the community stop in.”

Shutt, elected Dec. 3 as party chairwoman, said she wants to use headquarters for activities such as Republicans teaching classes on constitutional education or holding weekend workshops.

The Trumbull County Young Republicans and the Youngstown State University College Republicans are having a mixer at 10 a.m. Saturday at headquarters.

The party moved into the Howland location in 2019.

Nicole Gorkie, who resigned Feb. 18 as the party’s treasurer, criticized Shutt for ineffective leadership.

Gorkie said the chairwoman’s “priorities seem misaligned with the fundamental needs of our party. Instead of focusing on critical tasks such as finding new Republican candidates, preparing for upcoming elections, rallying our Republican base and expanding our party, the focus has shifted to unnecessary rebranding and decorating. Given that we won every single seat in the county in November, rebranding is not a priority.”

The party’s executive committee will meet March 18 to formally accept Gorkie’s resignation as well as one from Cheryl Tennant, who resigned Feb. 18 as deputy treasurer, and select a new treasurer.

After a treasurer is selected, that person will recommend a deputy treasurer, who will later be appointed, Shutt said.

Also, the party’s Lincoln Day Dinner will take place April 22 with Attorney General Dave Yost, a 2026 candidate for governor, as the guest speaker. A location and other details are being worked out, Shutt said.

The party will invite biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who is also running for governor and has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, to speak at an event this summer and plans to host other statewide candidates, Shutt said.