Republicans across the country will be faced with pretty big races in 2014. And with popularity ratings at an all-time low, Republicans must change something to win. However volatile it may be, the Republican Party needs to separate from the tea party and ensure that the best candidates win, focusing on the issues that matter, like the economy.

While it was a popular and indeed politically insightful organization in the beginning, it has now become antithetical to the governance of this country and even the Republican Party’s best interest. The tea party will only continue to harm the party like it did this past year. Far too many people assert that they only want tea party conservatives and that a moderate Republican is unacceptable. In fact, I have even heard some say that a moderate Republican is just as bad as a liberal.

Clearly, the tea party is not loyal to the Republican base and has managed to put up some of the worst candidates possible. Loot to Angel, O’Donnell and people like Dean Young in Alabama’s 1st Congressional District. These candidates can win a primary – although fortunately not in Young’s case – but lose in general elections because they are far too extreme. The Republican Party will not win another presidency if it keeps putting the tea party first.

The Republican Party also needs to make sure the right candidates win. Though divorcing from the tea party will help significantly, there are still other candidates out there like Todd Akin who will be a liability to the party and its ideals if they win their elections. These candidates, who make statements like Akin’s “legitimate rape” comments, hurt the whole party and, quite frankly, may not deserve office in the first place. Those statements cost Akin the election, the Republican Party a Senate and Romney votes in Missouri. While I am not blaming the whole election on Akin, losing votes for saying stupid things is completely avoidable, and Republicans need to make sure they don’t have candidates go rogue again.

The final solution is to focus on issues that people want to hear discussed. Republicans need to focus on relevant issues. Social issues are not winning big elections. Gay marriage, for example, is one of the biggest issues they need to drop; it is not winning.

They need to go into communities and present a clear plan for the future. They need to clearly articulate that the economy is key and they want to provide jobs. The Republicans get so bogged down in the social issues that many times we miss voters because they do not care about those issues. They just care whether or not they are going to have food on the table for their kids. The Republicans can win on the economy and will if they focus there.

I am a proud Republican who is afraid for my party’s future. Republicans need to shape up or ship out. I love this country and the party but not how it looks now.

Regan Williams is a senior majoring in political science and communication studies. His column runs biweekly on Thursdays.