The 1856 Republican National Convention appointed the first RNC . It consisted of one member from each state and territory to serve for four years . Each national committee since then has followed the precedent of equal representation for each state or territory , regardless of population . From 1924 to 1952 , there was a national committeeman and national committeewoman from each state and U.S. possession , and from Washington , D.C. . In 1952 , committee membership was expanded to include the state party chairs of states that voted Republican in the preceding presidential election , have a Republican majority in their congressional delegation ( U.S. representatives and senators ) , or have Republican governors . By 1968 , membership reached 145 . As of 2011 , the RNC has 168 members
1856 Republican National Convention
1856 Republican National Convention
Republican National Committee