Hello, True Texans!
Here we are at the end of early voting and Primary Election Day is just DAYS AWAY! I hope you have used and shared our voting recommendations. We are hopeful about the outcome, but regardless of outcome – the work continues.
CONVENTIONS
The next step in the Primary process is, of course, conventions. We just can’t stress enough how important it is to participate in these conventions. I realize that state convention can be expensive, unless you live in the Houston area. But the local precinct and SD or County Conventions involve no cost at all – just a bit of your time. So, let’s review:
- Precinct Conventions will happen shortly after March 3rd Primary Election. They might be at the precinct polling place after voting closes, or they might be at another location on another day. Check with your County GOP to know when and where your precinct convention will be held.
- Senate District (or County) Conventions will happen a few weeks after the primary election. Most will be on March 28, but be sure to check with your County GOP to be sure of the date, time and location.
- State Convention is in Houston June 8 – 13. You must attend precinct and SD/County conventions to be nominated to State Convention. Most of the voting at state convention happens Friday and Saturday. The rest of the week is devoted to committee meetings where individuals can testify.
Why Is It Important to Attend State Convention?
- State Convention is the place where we gather with other Republicans from all over the State to support one another, and make plans for the coming months and legislative sessions.
- Your votes are needed on important issues that will affect the party for the next two years.
- We are expecting a flood of new, and maybe not so grassroots conservative delegates this year. We need true, loyal grassroots patriots to counter their vote.
What do we vote on at conventions?
- At the Precinct Convention: you will elect a temporary convention chair and secretary. You will nominate people for the SD or County Convention. You will vote on resolutions to be forwarded to the SD Convention Committees. Paperwork is filled out on all these things and forwarded to the County GOP headquarters.
- At the SD/County Convention: Delegates come together from all over the Senate District to elect a convention chair, and permanent committee members. We nominate delegates to the State Convention, and we vote on Resolutions to be forwarded to the State Convention Committees.
- At State Convention: we will have an opportunity to vote on party rules, the party platform, State Republican Executive Committee Members (SREC), a Party Chair and Vice-Chair, Legislative Priorities for the next legislative session, and in Presidential years, we vote on delegates to National Convention and the Presidential Electors to the Electoral College.
That’s a lot of stuff! You see why it’s important to attend? There are some training opportunities with local groups and county GOPs, for folks who have never attended conventions before. If it’s your first time, I suggest you take advantage of them. You can also reach out to me or Julie any time with questions, or contact your local county GOP.
RESOLUTIONS
Last week we talked to you about resolutions that can be submitted to all 3 conventions. It’s best to start at the precinct convention, and the more resolutions received on an issue, the more likely those resolutions will be moved forward to the next convention.
Last week’s message focused on Ban Sharia in Texas resolutions. This week we want to stress resolutions relating to gambling in Texas, and especially, one to abolish the Texas Lottery. Big money gambling lobbyists are doing their best to introduce more gambling in Texas, and so far, we’ve been successful in pushing back. BUT… they are not going to quit, and we have to keep fighting. The best way is to get legislation passed to put a stop to it, which starts with convention resolutions.
TTP is suggesting resolutions to add abolishing the lottery to the legislative priorities list for 2027, and resolutions to expand the current platform plank regarding gambling. We’re also sharing here Texans For Fiscal Responsibility’s proposed resolutions on gambling, as well as resolutions from TFR, Texans for Vaccine Choice and Texans United for Reform and Freedom on other important subjects.
Sample Resolutions on Gambling:
- Resolution to Abolish the Texas Lottery, and Make Abolishing the Lottery a Legislative Priority
- Resolution to Expand Platform Plank 65
Texans For Fiscal Responsibility Resolutions on Gambling
Other resolutions you might want to consider;
- TFR’s Resolution in Support of a Ban on Taxpayer Funded Lobbying
- TFR’s Resolution in Support of Eliminating The Property Tax
- Our friends at Texans United for Reform and Freedom (TURF) have a set of resolutions they are promoting. TURF is the transportation expert and have done tremendous work in limiting toll user abuse, stopping the left’s attempt to decrease our transportation networks and push people into public transit, and generally defending our transportation rights. You can read their sample resolutions here.
- Another resolution to consider is the one from Texans for Vaccine Choice (TFVC). Their sample resolution contains several issues rolled into one resolution, all focused on the medical freedom that they fight for and defend. You can read their sample resolution here.
TFVC also has a great explanation of the convention process which you might find helpful, including dates.
Of course, you can submit resolutions on any subject or issue that’s important to you, and we encourage you to do so. But the more we concentrate our efforts on a handful of issues, the more effective and strong the message we send to the various committees who review them. Remember that resolutions don’t have to be fancy or professional, use your own words, and justify what you are asking to be done.
ACTION ITEMS:
- If you have not already voted by now, do so on Tuesday. Vote YES on Prop #10 (Ban sharia in Texas).
- Plan to attend your precinct convention after the Primary Election, and submit resolutions for consideration on a) Ban Sharia in Texas; b) Abolish the Texas Lottery and expand the platform plank #65 with more specifics; c) TURF resolutions; and d) TFVC medical resolution.
- Attend your SD or County Conventions. Vote in favor of the resolutions you have submitted.
- Attend state convention. If possible, attend the committee meetings Monday through Thursday. Vote on the most conservative SREC member, the platform, the rules, and the legislative priorities. Elect your chosen candidates for Chair and Vice-Chair.
- Have fun with the conventions! They can be really eye-opening, sometimes crazy, but always fun and exciting and you’ll be glad you attended.
Thanks for staying engaged! I hope to see you at Convention!
Fran Rhodes, President
True Texas Project