The Grassroots movement is stronger than ever in Texas, albeit, the court battle over the States new redistricting maps is causing some high anxiety over the Republican primary election. Last weekend, Friday, January 27th and Saturday, the 28th, 2012, I had the good fortune to attend the Texas Republican Assembly Endorsement Convention held at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX.
The convention was well-attended and resulted in endorsements in several key statewide races. A candidate must receive over two-thirds of the vote of all delegates present and voting to merit an endorsement.
Congressman Michael Burgess opened the convention with a welcoming address at the Convention! Congressman Burgess is a strong conservative currently serving his 5th term in Congress representing large portions of Denton and Tarrant Counties. He holds the seat formerly held by Majority Leader Dick Armey. Congressman Burgess was formerly a medical doctor and is one of only 7 doctors in the House of Representatives. He recently published a book titled "Doctor in the House" taking Obamacare to task and outlining a reasoned plan for health care reform based upon free market principles. The keynote speaker was NFRA President Rod Martin, and he delivered a call to action for our conservative agenda noting, “that the conservative movement of has come a long way, but that we need to continue the fight.”
After hearing from candidates throughout the morning and afternoon, the TXRA endorsed the following candidates:
Texas Railroad Commission: Becky Berger
Texas Supreme Court Place 2: Don Willett
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Place 8: Elsa Alcala
The Convention also endorsed in several State Board of Education Races:
SBOE Place 7: David Bradley
SBOE Place 8: Barbara Cargill
SBOE Place 9: Randy Stevenson
SBOE Place 10: Jeff Fleece
U.S. Senate candidates Tom Leppert, Lela Pittenger, Glenn Addison, Ted Cruz and a Representative for Craig James were in attendance for the convention and unfortunately an endorsement could not be made due to the 2/3 vote required to earn the endorsement. A spirited discussion was engaged in by the candidates on a wide range of issues and while the delegates were deadlocked on the endorsement vote, afterwards many TXRA delegates spoke eloquently on behalf of their preferred candidate. Noted by all attendee's at the convention was the absense Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst once again. Lt. Gov. Dewhurst had been invited to another U.S. Senate candidate forum hosted by the TXRA and he was a no show again.
Bob Gill, the current TXRA President stated,"the 2012 TXRA Endorsing Convention did not end with the endorsement of candidates. The delegates went on to consider and adopt a resolution that was drafted by our Resolutions Committee. The Resolution was very timely as we consider the uncertainty of the redistricting lawsuits affecting our primary elections and reads as follows:"
RESOLUTION
Repeal Section 5 of The Federal Voting Rights Act
Be it Resolved by the Texas Republican Assembly that we call for the repeal of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act which requires Texas and certain other states to receive pre-clearance by the U.S. Department of Justice before redistricting maps can be implemented.
Clearly the Texas grassroots patriots are actively involved in their communities and are fighting to vet the best true conservative to represent them. Clearly other events are going on in Texas and I will touch on a county were they have achieved a 100% Republican Elected Leadership in their community. That county is Williamson County, Texas! The grassroots movement has never been stronger here. My kudos go out to Republican Party Chairman Bill Fairbrother and the volunteers that have accomplished such a feat. On Monday, February 6th, 2012, The Williamson County Republican Party will host the 2012 Reagan Dinner where we will have the chance to network with other grassroots patriots, visit with our County Officials, those running for office and last but not least, we have the chance to hear from Governor Rick Perry and his wife Anita Perry. Stay tuned for more upcoming events and grassroots issues!
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