Eric Hoplin was unanimously elected Chairman of the College Republican National Committee (CRNC) in July 2003.
Formerly Chairman of the Minnesota College Republicans and CRNC Executive Director, Hoplin has focused on strengthening the national College Republican organization's political influence during his tenure as Chairman. The volunteer contributions of College Republicans to nationwide Republican victories in the 2004 election was a direct result of his administration's leadership. Hoplin and his administration organized a highly successful program of paid field staffers to recruit College Republicans across the country, helping to provide more volunteers for numerous Republican campaigns, especially the successful reelection effort of President George W. Bush.
Hoplin's tenure was marred by controversy. In October 2004, The Seattle Times initiated an exposé on the aggressive and ethically questionable fundraising tactics of the College Republican National Committee. Although the CRNC had only been a 527 group largely autonomous from the Republican National Committee since 2001, but had employed a direct-mail firm named Response Dynamics, Incorporated (RDI) to coordinate its fundraising efforts since 1992. RDI raised $6.3 million for the CRNC in 2004 by collecting money from senior citizens who thought they were giving money to the election campaigns of President Bush and other top Republicans. Hoplin worked to finally terminate the contract with RDI in 2005.
Hoplin chose not to run for reelection as CRNC Chairman in 2005 and was succeeded by Paul Gourley of South Dakota. He was elected Deputy Chairman of the Minnesota Republican Party in June 2005.