20-Year-Old New Melrose Republican City Committee Chariman

Christian Hashem, the 20-year-old son of a local business owner, was elected to become chairman of the Melrose Republican City Committee. Hashem, the incumbent secretary of the committee, will succeed Jason Kraunelis, who is stepping down.

"I’m incredibly excited to be leading the MRCC in 2019. There is still much to do to continue on the growth the MRCC has seen the past few years under Jason’s leadership," Hashem said in a release. "We need to reach more people - especially young people - through social media and community activism."

Hashem said being Republican does not preclude someone from supporting gay rights and believing in climate changes, as long as they are faithful to the Constitution, support individual liberty, and have love for country.

"I want everyone to be a Republican – from supporters of Governor Baker to the core base of President Trump," he said.

Hashem named President George H.W. Bush, John McCain, and John Glenn as role models who were "pragmatists" that did "not necessarily toe the party line."

Hashem is the son of Lebanese immigrants. His father opened West Wyoming Market in 1998 - the day Hashem was born.

“My father left Lebanon at nineteen years old because he knew there were far greater opportunities in America than in war-torn Lebanon," he said.

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Courtesy photo