The New Founding Podcast Harvard's Conservative Fight - Carter Stewart & Leo Koerner | #74
Nov 21, 2025
Leo Koerner, President of the Harvard Republican Club, and Carter Stewart, an associate at New Founding, dive into Harvard's evolving political climate. They discuss the Harvard Republicans' strategic endorsement of Trump and their role as a voice for conservative values on campus. The guests analyze generational economic challenges, touching on issues from housing inflation to the importance of conservative activism. They also debate shifts in ideological landscapes and the future of conservative thought at Harvard, advocating for a new right that embraces practical solutions.
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Institutional Gatekeeping Shaped Campus Politics
- Harvard's IOP rule changes in 2021 closed mainstream campus stages to hardline conservatives, pushing organizing energy into the Harvard Republican Club (HRC).
- Endorsing Trump in 2024 was framed as reclaiming influence from managerial institutions and creating an off-ramp for right-leaning students.
Win Clubs By Recruiting Everywhere
- Recruit for every board slot and run candidates for low-profile roles because each vote matters in club takeovers.
- Build ground-level campaigns to capture institutions rather than relying on high-profile endorsements alone.
Campus Still Matters For Big Debates
- Harvard remains a place where controversial speakers can get attention, which draws movements to stage debates and events there.
- Opening the campus to non-establishment right voices changed perception about where important ideological fights happen.