“Every Election Matters”
| “Every Election Matters” |
| A little over a week ago, there was a special election in Texas for State Senate District #9. It is what can be termed a safe Republican seat, R+17, which President Trump won by 20%. The special election was won by a Marxist leftist by 17%, and of course it was a big news story. The Marxist progressives began their usual talk about a bellwether for the coming midterm elections. There was plenty of prognostication about the effects of the bad winter weather. Some, of course, blamed the Republican candidate for being “too right wing”, funny, how people label constitutional conservatism these days. There have been some who just blew this result off being that the same two candidates will meet again in November, since this race was to have representation for the unfilled term of the Republican who stepped down to be the acting Texas Comptroller. The bottom line, and the true lesson learned for Republicans in Texas, and across the country, is that every election matters. Just a few weeks ago I penned a message about turnout, and how critical that is especially in primary elections. It serves as a gauge of engagement, involvement, and enthusiasm. Republicans can ill afford to just “dial it in” in any election. On 17 February early voting for the 2026 Texas primary election will begin, lasting until 27 February. Election Day is March 3rd, the 190th anniversary of Texas’ Declaration of Independence. It never fails that I will get a call, normally on Sunday before election day from several people, asking if there is an election coming, and for whom they should vote. I do not get upset, because it is my duty and responsibility to inform and educate the electorate on issues and policy, and allow them to make an informed decision come election. It is imperative that Republicans remember the sage wisdom of Benjamin Franklin who asserted, “You have a Republic, if you can keep it”. Some ask me, what is the purpose of having a County GOP, where it is the repository of information needed to be successful in supporting Republican candidates. For instance, at dallasgop.org, you can find election guides, key dates, and information on polling locations. You can also volunteer to be an election judge, election clerk, poll watcher, and poll worker. If we do not field our election Army, then we do not have election representation. The County GOP has what is called an Executive Committee made up of the closest level of elected representatives, Precinct Chairs. It is imperative that Republican County Executive Committees (CECs) not see themselves as adult High School SGAs, but rather a functioning body of individuals committed to sharing information and ensuring that every election matters. Too often these representative bodies devolve into elitist social clubs run based upon personalities…and that is how you end up losing an R+17 state senate district to a doggone Marxist, regardless if it is a special election. At this moment, we are also in the midst of candidate filing for municipal elections, meaning city council and school boards. That filing period will end on 13 February and the municipal elections will occur in May, early voting will begin at the end of April 2026. The left knows that every election matters and they do not rest, they are constantly operating at a steady OPTEMPO (operational tempo). Too often I hear the empty excuse, well, Republicans work, and they leftists are paid, well, it is time we start to invest in our local County GOP organizations so that we too can effectively message 24/7. The issue for Republicans is that they ramp up for an election, then drawdown. We have to maintain a steady state of engagement and NEVER cede any ground to the Marxist left, especially here in Dallas County, lest we devolve into becoming a Minneapolis…mind you, Dallas County, City of Dallas, is quietly a sanctuary for illegal immigrants, as there is no formal 287(g) agreement with federal law enforcement, to enforce the law. One of the questions I seem to get repeatedly is, “Hey, Col., when are we going to flip Dallas County back red?”. The left shifted the governing party leadership in Dallas County back in 2006, they had a dedicated plan. If we are to reverse this cycle, Republicans in Dallas County, and all major urban population centers, which is where you find the greatest evidence of leftist policy failure….must grasp that every election matters. As we have witnessed more leftists, and islamists, infiltrating into Texas, and other Red States, you will find that they focus on local…then expand from there in the urban centers. When I came into the position as Chairman of the Dallas County GOP, I stressed the motto, “Fight Local, Win National”. I will never forget the day that a Republican woman, who touted herself as a marketing expert, quipped that the motto made no sense. In essence, she did not realize that every election matters, and the local elections matter the most in enabling you to win higher level elections. Lastly, a problem that we have is that we do not vote the entire ballot. We can no longer be caught up in a top of the ticket cult of personality. There are judicial races, and Justice of the Peace races that have an immediate impact on your daily lives. We like the term, race to the bottom, and take the time to complete the entire ballot. Ya know, the least you can do is to honor the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform who are standing watch for you for extended hours…you can take 8-10 minutes, and yes, stand in line, as you have the privilege to cast your ballot, your voice. In the military we had a saying, “The maximum effective range of an excuse is zero meters”. No more excuses, let’s get out there, vote, and vote in every election, because every election matters. Steadfast and Loyal. |