The Central Texas Republican Assembly Congratulates Donna Campbell on her well deserved and expected win in her bid to be the Republican Nominee for State Senate district 25.

The Central Texas Republican Assembly also wants to commend Bexar and Kedall counties for joining the other 4 counties in the district in recognizing Donna as the conservative choice that we have come to know and appreciate.

In each county, the total vote during the runoff election was about 1000 less than the primary. Also, in each county Jeff Wentworth received about 1000 less votes than in the primary. Donna Campbell nearly doubled her votes in every county.

In response to a call for grassroots organizations to sponsor local debates, the Central Texas Republican Assembly (CTRA) and Austin Rhetoric Club (ARC) invited Ted Cruz and David Dewhurst, the candidates for United States Senate in the July 31st Republican Primary Runoff, to a debate in Central Texas.

In the June 5, 2012 invitation letters to the each of the two campaigns, James Dickey (representing the CTRA) and Tom Umstattd (representing the ARC) wrote, “The Central Texas Republican Assembly (CTRA – http://ctra.us) and the Austin Rhetoric Club (ARC – http://www.austinrhetoricclub.org/) invite you to participate in a public debate with your opponent in the runoff for the Republican nomination for the United States Senate. As an organization focused on learning and competing in local, state and national debates, the 6th-12th grade members of the ARC will…contribute a substantial portion of the questions addressed to the candidates.”

Upon receipt of the letter, the Cruz campaign indicated that Ted Cruz would be willing to participate. On June 15th, Leut. Governor Dewhurst’s scheduler told James Dickey , “The [Lieutenant] Governor is not accepting invitations to any debate that does not have guaranteed statewide media coverage. He wants to ensure as many voters as possible are able to see any debate.”

Disclaimer: Neither the CTRA nor any other Republican Assembly has endorsed in Texas’ US Senate race. The Assemblies have as a stated objective “to recruit, educate, train and motivate individuals to run for public office who are irrevocably committed to upholding and fighting for Constitutional principles and the preservation of the Republic.” The assemblies endorse conservative candidates in Republican primary races when there is a bright line distinction between the candidates as evidenced by at least two-thirds of voting members/delegates voting to endorse a candidate at a meeting held for the purpose of making endorsements. At its January 28, 2012 Endorsing Convention, the Texas Republican Assembly (TxRA) held several rounds of voting in an attempt to endorse one of the (then nine ) candidates vying for the Republican nomination in the US Senate race. No candidate received the required two-thirds vote to endorse. The Assembly will not have the opportunity to attempt to endorse in the US Senate race during the runoff. TxRA by-laws restricted local chapters from endorsing in statewide races so the CTRA cannot endorsed in the US Senate runoff.

June 4, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Daniel McDonald, (512) 694-0654

CENTRAL TEXAS REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY AND AUSTIN RHETORIC CLUB INVITE REPUBLICAN SENTATE CANDIDATES TO DEBATE

The Central Texas Republican Assembly (CTRA) and Austin Rhetoric Club (ARC) have invited Ted Cruz and David Dewhurst, Republican primary candidates for the United States Senate seat being vacated by Kay Bailey Hutchison to participate in a debate.

The date of the debate is subject to confirmation by the candidates, but will be before the July 31, 2012 primary runoff election. The public will be invited to attend.

“The CTRA is proud to work with the fine young members of the ARC to give voters a forum to be more informed about the candidates in this very important race,” said president Daniel McDonald. “Forums like this are important in helping voters decide who will best represent the Republican Party’s platform and conservative values.”

The Austin Rhetoric Club (ARC) is a speech and debate club that promotes leadership among Austin-area youth. The ARC includes over 300 4th – 12th grade home schooled student members who participate in local and state meetings, conferences and tournaments.

The Central Texas Republican Assembly (CTRA) is a grassroots volunteer organization that works to elect mainstream conservatives to public office. The CTRA is a member chapter of the Texas Republican Assembly and the National Federation of Republican Assemblies. The CTRA was founded in 2001 and is active in Travis, Hays, and Bastrop counties.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Daniel McDonald, (512) 694-0654

CENTRAL TEXAS REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY CONGRATULATES ENDORSED CANDIDATES

The Central Texas Republican Assembly (CTRA) endorsed in three primary races this year.

One of those candidates, Ken Mercer won his State Board of Education, Place 5 race with 71% of the vote.

Another, Donna Campbell, succeeded in earning a spot in a runoff with the incumbent, Jeff Wentworth, in the District 25 State Senate race.

“The CTRA was proud to have put our support behind these conservative candidates,” said president Daniel McDonald, “We congratulate both of them on their successes in the primary and wish Dr. Campbell all the best in her runoff.”

In order to endorse in a contested Republican primary, a quorum of the membership must be present, and a candidate must receive the support of two-thirds (67%) of those present.

The Central Texas Republican Assembly is a grassroots volunteer organization that works to elect mainstream conservatives to public office. The CTRA is a member chapter of the Texas Republican Assembly and the National Federation of Republican Assemblies. The CTRA was founded in 2001 and is active in Travis, Hays, and Bastrop counties.

The Central Texas Republican Assembly met on Tuesday, May 1st to consider endorsements in various races we did not consider at our April Endorsement meeting.
We heard from candidates for the Hays County Commissioner’s Court Place 3, Hays County Republican Chair, 22nd Judicial District Judge, State Republican Executive Committeeman District 14, and US Congress District 17. We also discussed the Bastrop County Sheriff and the Travis County Constable Place 2.
Despite observing bright line distinctions in a number of races, the CTRA was unable to issue an endorsement as we did not have a sufficient number of members present to meet the endorsement requirements of our Bylaws.
We also appreciated the insightful comments from candidates in the Congressional District 35 and 25 races. The CTRA had previously considered the CD35 race and made no endorsement, and is unable to endorse in CD 25 because part of the territory covered by that race is under the jurisdiction of another Republican Assembly Chapter.

Tuesday, May 1st, the Central Texas Republican Assembly will meet to consider further endorsements. The endorsement election is open to those who have been members In good standing for 60 days, but all are welcome to help us discuss the candidates.
Our goal is to find a “bright-line” distinction between candidates. We look for adherence to the Texas Republican platform, which models our Pro-Life, Pro-Family, Small-Government ideals. If there are multiple candidates that equally stand for these ideals, we will not endorse. Similarly, if there are no candidates that will proudly hold to these ideals, we will also not endorse.
Endorsements by Republican Assemblies have a high hurdle. In addition to a quorum of members, a candidate must receive a 2/3rds vote by secret ballot.

Our meeting on May 1st will be at Joe’s Crab Shack on Riverside in Austin, about a half-mile West of I-35.

MARCH 15, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Daniel McDonald, (512) 694-0654
CENTRAL TEXAS REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY ENDORSES CANDIDATES
The Central Texas Republican Assembly (CTRA) endorsed in three primary races on Tuesday evening. The candidates endorsed were Donna Campbell (State Senate, District 25), Ken Mercer (State Board of Education, Place 5), and Jim Strickland (Travis County Commissioner, Place 3).
“The CTRA is proud to put our support behind these conservative candidates,” said president Daniel McDonald. “These are the candidates we believe will best represent the Republican Party’s platform and conservative values if they are elected to their respective offices.”
The candidates in several local races were sent questionnaires, and an endorsement committee made recommendations to the membership. Candidates were invited to attend Tuesday’s meeting to make their case to the membership. The CTRA will consider candidates in the other races in Travis, Hays, and Bastrop counties at an upcoming meeting.
In order to endorse in a contested Republican primary, a quorum of the membership must be present, and a candidate must receive the support of two-thirds (67%) of those  present.
The Central Texas Republican Assembly is a grassroots volunteer organization that works to elect mainstream conservatives to public office. The CTRA is a member chapter of the Texas Republican Assembly and the National Federation of Republican Assemblies. The CTRA was founded in 2001 and is active in Travis, Hays, and Bastrop counties.
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