Some Republicans have been defensive that the party has a strong anti-democratic bent. But the state GOP convention embraced it, putting it right in the party platform.
To keep in pedantry/technical terms, technically no, all republics do not necessarily have democratic elements. One of the defining characteristics is a relatively small body of individuals making decisions on law and the direction of the state (not the populace directly deciding, as seen in democracy).
This can run the gamut from an authoritarian republic (ex. rule by aristocracy or appointed by a dictator) to democratic republic (ie. representatives elected by public vote) to theocratic republic, etc. Often, comparison is between republic and monarchy/autocracy; more than one person gets to make the decisions. How these individuals (senators) get their positions is highly variable.
To keep in pedantry/technical terms, technically no, all republics do not necessarily have democratic elements. One of the defining characteristics is a relatively small body of individuals making decisions on law and the direction of the state (not the populace directly deciding, as seen in democracy).
This can run the gamut from an authoritarian republic (ex. rule by aristocracy or appointed by a dictator) to democratic republic (ie. representatives elected by public vote) to theocratic republic, etc. Often, comparison is between republic and monarchy/autocracy; more than one person gets to make the decisions. How these individuals (senators) get their positions is highly variable.