Local Delegates Return from State Party Conventions to Promote Voting

Jun. 21—The Republican Party of Texas and the Texas Democratic Party held their respective State Conventions, setting up our transition into the general election campaign. The Texas GOP met May 23-25 in San Antonio, and the Democrats followed June 6 to 8 in El Paso.

In San Antonio, Republicans selected Abraham George, a former Collin County Republican Party Chairman, as the new Republican Party of Texas Chairman. George replaces Matt Rinaldi.

The Texas GOP also passed a new platform. The nearly 50 page document calls for increased border security, loosening restrictions on gun ownership, more protections for the unborn, nullifying local regulations, national Right to Work legislation, Social Security privatization, and school choice.

Texas Republicans heard speeches from prominent speakers like Matt Gaetz, Dan Patrick and Ted Cruz.

In El Paso, Democrats cheered on Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, US Senate Nominee Collin Allred, and gun safety advocate David Hogg, who addressed the convention-goers. Texas Democrats highlighted successful legislative efforts to prevent vouchers, bathroom bills, and emphasizing the threats against women's health care.

Several dozen Walker County residents served as delegates to the respective conventions. Now back in the community, a few shared their experience and perspective from the respective state party assemblies.

Tore Fossum, a delegate and member of Huntsville City Council, has attended more than 10 GOP conventions. Fossum described the contest for State Chair of the Republican Party of Texas as "spirited."

"This year's convention was an all-out battle between the establishment and the grassroots," said Fossum.

Fossum felt the grassroots established itself as the victor and definer of Texas' conservative movement.

"The people made it clear that this party is standing up and with Donald Trump," said Fossum.

Elizabeth Yielding and her husband, Paul, attended the GOP Convention as alternates but ended up getting to serve as delegates. Yielding suggested locals need to take a deeper look at Republicans and their agenda.

"Every age and ethnicity was represented. Our party is more diverse than the public is led to believe. And we all love our state and country," said Yielding.

Yielding urged voters to keep Republicans in power.

"I believe that if people were to compare the Republican and Democrat platforms (actually read them), most would realize that their beliefs and desires aligned much more closely with Texas Republicans," said Yielding.

Walker County Democratic Party Chair Servanie Sessions, felt recharged after returning from El Paso.

"As the chairperson of a red county, attending the convention in El Paso restored my confidence in the Democratic Party," said Sessions.

"We Democrats want our children to receive a good public education, have affordable health care, be protected from the gun violence, have the right to make choices about our bodies, because we care about the unborn as well as the quality of life once the baby is born and finally be allowed to vote without oppression," said Sessions.

With regard to local expectations in November, Sessions was optimistic.

"People are frustrated with our politicians and to be competitive again we are going to have to build strong young candidates and young voters that will stand for people as a whole. We are on our way," said Sessions.

Democratic Convention Delegate Kay Douglas, a statewide education consultant and self-described recovering attorney, emphasized the popular misconception that Texas is red because of large Republican majorities in the state's population, rather than because high percentages of Texans that are non-voting.

"Many people say 'I don't do politics' not realizing that 'politics does them' in every aspect of their lives. Where they live, work, worship, whom they love, and what healthcare options are available are all being decided in this election," said Douglas.

"Democrats are not a monolith. We come in all sizes, shapes, colors, religions, and professions. What unites us is a fierce commitment to protect our democracy, our freedom to choose, our duty to feed, clothe, house and protect our most vulnerable members," said Douglas.

Jurrell Gilliam, another delegate to the Texas Democratic Convention, comes back to Huntsville from El Paso, motivated to educate her neighbors.

"Walker County must wake up. The things Americans are going through today because Congress is afraid to do the right thing and vote for America to stand tall is horrible," said Gilliam.

Gilliam stressed sharing the accomplishments of Democrats and the Biden Administration to push against the narrative that the country is in decline.

Both parties are gearing up locally for the Presidential and Senatorial races at the federal level and an open State Representative seat as the center of their campaigning this November.

Diana McRae, Walker County Tax Assessor Collector, who's office oversees elections, points out that the County continuously encourages voters to check their registration status, and exercise their right to vote.

"I always say vote early, because that's your best experience," said McRae.

According to the Texas Secretary of State's website, Oct. 7 is the last day to register to vote for the General Election. Early voting begins Oct. 21 and runs through Nov. 1. Election Day is Nov. 5.

For more information on voting, contact the Voting Division of the Walker County Election Office at (936) 436-4959.