Category: campaign

Leave ALL signs alone. Don’t trespass. Don’t steal.

A few days ago, some Democrat signs in Tahitian Village were apparently destroyed by someone driving through the neighborhood. This prompted a post on the Republican Party’s Facebook page condemning the action and forcefully stating that when the perpetrators are found, they’ll be turned over to the authorities. Because the signs were on Democrat properties, the Bastrop County Young Republicans went so far as to blame the Alt-Right for this wrong-doing.

It’s interesting to me that these two Republican organizations have been silent in the face of trespass and sign theft of Republican signs. Not a peep out of either organization as Cruz signs have been stolen from private property in more than a few cases. Perhaps they didn’t know, you say. Well, maybe, but that’s really hard to believe in the face of property owner reactions, some like the one at left.

It is inappropriate to point fingers at anyone, call out any group without proof, laser focus on only one instance of this type of behavior when it’s happening across the county to all sides.

No one should trespass on private property to remove or destroy anything, including political signs.  It doesn’t matter what candidate from what party a person is supporting, they have a right to display signs supporting that individual or party.  TXDOT regulations require signs to be on private property so anyone taking or damaging a sign is violating trespass and destruction of personal property laws.

Diverting Resources Loses Elections

The most qualified candidate for a position can easily lose an election by running a poorly planned campaign, by losing focus, or by letting the opposition distract or divert attention to things that don’t matter to the outcome of the race.

A perfect example of this is happening right now in Bastrop County.

Bastrop Democrats

Early voting for a critical special election starts in just a few days, but the Republican chair-elect has spent her time over the past few weeks with the Democrats, planning a joint fundraiser for a local civic group. On May 19, while the Republican Chair-elect was at a CEC meeting convincing Republicans to do a joint fundraiser with the Democrats, Democrats were on the bridge in Bastrop publicly supporting their candidates.
While support for local organizations is a worthy endeavor, the number one priority of a political organization is to win elections, and winning takes time and money. 

It’s sad, but apparent, that the possibility of giving the Democrats two opportunities in two months to defeat our Republican candidate doesn’t matter to Bastrop Republican leadership. They’d rather fraternize with the Democrats than defeat them.

With such a short window before early voting in the CD27 Special Election, this wasn’t the time to divert Republican resources away from Get Out The Vote (GOTV) efforts. We’ve yet to see any Bastrop County Republican Party emails or postal mails regarding the June 30 Special Election, the impact of this special election on the November general election, or the candidates involved.

I am fully supportive of raising money and awareness for local civic groups. A cursory review of my bio shows a long history of civic engagement. But right now, Republicans should be laser focused on GOTV efforts to win the CD27 Special Election with more than 50% of the vote.

If our primary winner, Michael Cloud, doesn’t get over 50% of the vote and is forced into a September runoff, it gives CD27 Democrats two chances to defeat him in a two month time span.  It’s sad, but apparent, that the possibility of giving the Democrats two opportunities in two months to defeat our Republican candidate doesn’t matter to Bastrop Republican leadership. They’d rather fraternize with the Democrats than defeat them.

More Hogwash

For more than thirty years, my focus has been growing the Republican Party and having fun while doing so.  During my ten years in elected office, my focus was always implementing smaller, more effective, conservative government.  It pains me to call out particular Republicans.  That’s not my style. But if I am the subject of direct attacks, I will respond.

Mr. Namken: I’d welcome a conversation with you. My husband and I would be happy to take you to lunch.  You have my email address and phone number. The ball is in your court. If you truly believe what you write about open discourse and civility, I’ll hear from you to arrange a lunch.  If I don’t, that will speak volumes.

I have never met Jarrett Namken.  I have never talked to Jarrett Namken. Jarrett Namken has never discussed my political philosophy with me, nor asked my opinion on any issue.  Yet he has, in writing, defamed me and my profession, lied about me, and hurled false allegations at me.  He has cited laws in his posts that don’t exist and has shown a complete ignorance of copyright law.  As the subject of his direct attacks, I must respond.

My “crime” is to be friends with the former chair.  Another “crime” was to have the audacity to start two Republican clubs: the Bastrop County Republican Club and the Lost Pines Republican Women, organizations have raised significant funds, had fun doing it, and expanded the opportunities to participate in Republican politics. For some unexplained reason, this  infuriates Namken.

In a May 29 email (which someone else just sent me since I’m blocked from those as well), Namken once again states that he wants “more discussion, civility” without “fear of indimidation”:

Our political movement strives to achieve the vision that positively impacts the manner and nature of political discourse in Bastrop County. This effort will be spearheaded to foster more discussion, civility and positive benefits for local republicans.

We will strive to bring more conservatives to engage and participate in their political institutions without fear of intimidation.

Odd words from a man who blocks people from his Facebook page while writing accusatory, false posts about them. Odd words from a man who attempts to intimidate others on an almost daily basis.  Odd words from a man who has brought his negativity to campaigns and to the County Executive Committee.  Odd words from a man who vilifies and attacks others, even people he’s never met.

Mr. Namken: I’d welcome a conversation with you. My husband and I would be happy to take you to lunch.  You have my email address and phone number. The ball is in your court. If you truly believe what you write about open discourse and civility, I’ll hear from you to arrange a lunch.  If I don’t, that will speak volumes.