Bastrop County – Carol A. Spencer

Because you asked

I’ve been asked quite a few times who I recommend on the ballot. I’ve written a lengthy endorsement for the Attorney General’s race. Since tomorrow is election day, I’m going to share a few other recommendations.

US SENATE
Ken Paxton. Paxton has been a bulldog for Texans and Texas Values in his role as Attorney General. His opponents have not. Texas desperately needs a strong voice representing conservative Texans in the US Senate.

US HOUSE – CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 27
Michael Cloud. Michael Cloud is a strong Texas conservative and votes accordingly. He has earned positions on the Appropriations Committee and the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. He deserves to be returned to Congress.

GOVERNOR
“Doc” Pete Chambers. Governor Abbott has, overall, done a good job for Texas. However, his endorsement of legislators based on one vote (School Choice) was inappropriate. I loved his bussing of illegals throughout the country as it brought that issue front and center for places that weren’t feeling our pain. I didn’t like his Covid decisions. Keeping big box stores open and forcing small businesses to close was unacceptable. Forcing bars to close because more than 50% of their revenue was alcohol while allowing restaurants to open and serve lacked consistency. Too many appointments and decisions seem to be made due to campaign financial support and I oppose that. Doc has said he will not appoint people to positions if they donate large amounts of money to his campaign. Refreshing.

LT GOVERNOR
Perla Hopkins. When Dan Patrick pushed for half a billion dollars for the movie industry every 2 years, he lost my vote. Texas Scorecard explained “The Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Fund would receive $500 million every two years over the next decade, amounting to $2.5 billion by the 2034-2035 biennium.” If I wanted to support that industry, I’d go to the movies. I’m frankly sick of dolling out tax money to the favorite industry of the day…. especially one that has no impact on my quality of life.

ATTORNEY GENERAL
Aaron Reitz. I’m strongly endorsing Aaron Reitz for Attorney General. Not only is he Ken Paxton’s choice for the next AG, but he has the tenacity, core values, and strength of character to protect Texas and to manage over 4,000 employees. Read my entire endorsement.

COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS, PLACE 3
Lesli Fitzpatrick. Lesli is the most qualified candidate. She has a broad range of legal experience including significant criminal courtroom experience. She had her own legal practice, has worked for the State of Texas in a position that provided extensive knowledge of the Texas prison system. This race is for a seat on the highest criminal court in Texas, the one that reviews every death penalty case. Lesli is a solid conservative Republican. With her criminal courtroom experience, Lesli is the best choice.

TEXAS HOUSE DISTRICT 17
Tom Glass. If you’ve been to your mailbox lately, you’ll understand this endorsement. More than 125 Political Action Committees have donated to Tom’s opponent. Texans for Lawsuit Reform has donated well over a quarter of a million dollars to Tom’s opponent. If you want a legislator that answers to the big money donors, vote for the other guy. But if you want a legislator who fights for conservative Texans in his district, vote for Tom Glass.

BASTROP COUNTY JUDGE
Don Loucks. I was shocked when, at a candidate forum, our current County Judge had to ask the emcee what an NGO is. What?? He’s reviewing, voting for, and presiding over a multi-million dollar budget that includes tax dollar payments to NGOs and he doesn’t know what one is. He struggles to run a meeting as seen by those who were at the last County Commissioner’s meeting: taking testimony after an item had already been tabled. That violates Robert’s Rules.

Don’s opponent has shown that he does not have the skill set to make decisions for a county whose population is exploding. The County Judge literally has the lives of over 100,000 Bastrop County residents in his hands. We need a leader trained in emergency management, who understands budgets and taxes, who is conversant with the public safety needs of a growing Texas county. We need a strong, conservative leader and that’s Don Loucks.

In Memory of Charlie Kirk

If nationwide reporting happens, it’s good to have it be positive reporting. That’s not what happened to Bastrop County TX. After the Bastrop County Commissioners’ caved in the face of opposition on the Charlie Kirk Memorial Corridor resolution, articles appeared in “The Hill“, “The Western Journal” and it was a subject on the Charlie Kirk Show.

Something similar happened when I was mayor of Denville NJ. My office got a call from a gentleman in Denneville France. Denneville is in Normandie, a small farming town with a beautiful beach area. Interestingly enough, the Ile of Jersey is just off the coast. Pierre Oheix had hoped we could establish a connection between our small towns. Both of us wondered if there was an historical connection.

I was a French major in college so was pretty excited about this possibility. I had the opportunity to travel to Denneville while mayor. An American flag was flown at the entrance to town when I arrived. There was a ceremony in town hall, a dinner with their state officials. What memories. Upon my return, though, the town council refused any connection. Why? Politics pure and simple. The press was quite negative toward the Council’s decision. Leadership in another town even wrote a letter to our paper stating that if Denville didn’t want to be sister cities, they gladly would do so.

Political foolishness. Just like the Bastrop County Commissioners back-peddling from an opportunity to honor a man whose life was savagely taken through political violence.

Postings on social media made it obvious people had not read the resolution and didn’t understand it. For days I had been posting on various forums that this was not a renaming of the highway but rather a request to the legislature for the designation of a memorial corridor. Additionally, people kept claiming Charlie had no connection to the County.

That’s flat out wrong. In 2019, I personally invited Charlie to speak in Bastrop County. I was president of the Lost Pines Republican Women and we contracted for 8/29/2020. Due to Covid, that event had to be cancelled and we rescheduled for May 1, 2021.

Charlie Kirk at the Convention Center We were so lucky to host Charlie in Bastrop County. Having had the privilege of meeting him and talking with him, I’m very disappointed and saddened at how fast our all-Republican Commissioner’s Court caved on this issue. Elected officials need to have solid core beliefs that guide them. They cannot back down from that which is right just because some people don’t agree with them or for purely political reasons. Imagine if Charlie had lived his life that way…. TPUSA wouldn’t exist.

Charlie was a very religious man who gave everyone a chance to express their opinions, to ask questions, to discuss. He was not argumentative. What came through was his strong core values, deep faith and love of family. I was privileged to have met him and hope the day comes when our County Commissioners change their minds.

Financials~Local Races

DEMOCRATS WITH OPPONENTS

Dock Jackson: County Judge: Hasn’t filed one report for this election cycle: no Jan.15; no 30-day prior; no 8-day prior. Hasn’t even filed a treasurer appointment for this race.

Tamara McIntyre: JP1: Hasn’t filed one report: no Jan.15; no 30-day prior; no 8-day prior. Hasn’t even filed a treasurer appointment.

Ruth Todd: JP2: Did not file 30-day prior or 8-day prior. Did file a report that she had exceeded the modified reporting limit.

Rachel Turman-Smith: JP4: Hasn’t filed one report: no Jan.15; no 30-day prior; no 8-day prior. Hasn’t even filed a treasurer appointment.

REPUBLICANS WITH OPPONENTS

Don Loucks: County Judge: All required reports filed.

Gregory Klaus: County Judge: All required reports filed.

Holly Cox: District Clerk: All required reports filed.

Ward Northcutt: District Clerk: No 30-day prior or 8-day prior report filed. All other required reports filed.

Sarah Loucks: District Clerk: No 8-day prior report filed. All other required reports filed.

Tammy Batot: District Clerk: All required reports filed.

A Failure of Responsibility

Since when do elected officials, representatives of the people (allegedly), ignore constituents? When I served in office, my goal was more communication with the public, not less (or in this case, none).

Even in the late 90’s when websites were just getting started, I created one for our town, complete with email access for the public. I started a township newsletter. I started “Mayor’s Open Office Hours” once a week in the evenings to meet with anyone who wanted to come in and chat. Whether the comments were positive or negative, I responded. That’s what elected representatives are supposed to do.

List of emails included on first email Why, then, when I emailed every member of the Bastrop ISD Board of Trustees, did I only hear back from the Superintendent of Schools? Someone obviously forwarded my email to her since I didn’t include her in the original email.

Not one elected school board member responded to my first email sent before the day of the protest! Not one elected school board member or the superintendent responded to my email the day of the protest either.

Let’s say I own a manufacturing business. I pay for the physical plant and equipment plus the salaries and benefits of the employees. Then, one day a bunch of them decide to take to the streets to protest some issue. They don’t protest at lunch time. They protest mid-morning. My business cannot continue as usual. I’ll limp along with fewer employees so I don’t have to shut down, but output won’t be the same.

This is exactly what these students did. And, now, without severe repercussions, they have learned the lesson that they can just walk out, ignore their responsibilities, and have little to no repercussion for doing so. The penalty is some checkbox that they were absent that day.

When my employees walk out, I still have to pay for the building, the equipment, the heat, the lights, the staff at all levels. When students walk out, taxpayers still have to pay for the school buildings, the heat, the lights and the staff at all levels.

The educational output is not the same because these students aren’t participating in classes. Class isn’t a one way street with the teacher having a megaphone. Class involves interaction and that is lost not only for those who protested but for those who remained behind.

Perhaps our elected school board representatives think they can hide behind their silence on this issue. To me, their silence screams loudly that they approve of this walkout.

The next Bastrop ISD meeting is Tuesday February 17 at 5:30. I encourage y’all who are furious about these protests to attend and speak out.

“The Board of Trustees holds Regular Board Meetings the third Tuesday of every month beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Jerry Fay Wilhelm Center for the Performing Arts, 1401 Cedar Street, unless otherwise posted. Meetings of the Board of Trustees are by law open meetings, and the public is welcome and encouraged to attend.”

This is not a first amendment rights issue. These students could have exercised their first amendment rights after school, on a Saturday or Sunday.

This is a lesson in responsibility. Every participant, be they students, teachers, administrative staff or elected school board members, have failed. Sadly, this is just another “F” in the grading of Bastrop ISD.

IMPORTANT CALENDAR ISSUE

BCC Event Summary without LPRW Events If you’re only on the BCC email list, you may have noticed that you don’t ever see Lost Pines Republican Women events on its “Events Around the County” summary. But you always see Lee County events. Odd. Exclude Bastrop County Republican events but include Lee County events.

When President of LPRW, I personally reached out multiple times to the BCC president about this but, whatever his reason, LPRW events are never included.

LPRW runs some fantastic and educational events. If you only see the BCC email, you will miss these events:

UPCOMING: FREE to the public: GOP Primary Candidate Forum. This is on Thursday, January 29 at the Bastrop Convention Center. Brandon Waltens from Texas Scorecard (Texas Minute daily email) is our emcee.

2026 Candidate Forum information postcard

UPCOMING: Monthly Meeting. Thursday, Jan 15 at 6PM.

UPCOMING: Data & Research Committee. On Saturday, Jan 17 from 10AM to noon, I will be teaching a class on how to research candidates: social media, funding, campaign donations and expenses. Taught at the LPRW Club House, membership is not a requirement to attend. Bring a laptop.

UPCOMING: Super Bowl Watch Party. Sunday, February 8.
Kickoff is at 5:30PM Central Time. We’ll gather 5:00 for pre-game festivities and food.

I wrote about the damage of divisiveness a year ago. I wrote about working together two years ago. Nothing’s changed. And pundit after pundit points out how Republicans damage themselves with circular firing squads.

It doesn’t have to be this way, but until that other organization decides to play nice in the sandbox, join the LPRW email or text list to get LPRW info sent directly to you. Or check the LPRW calendar periodically for upcoming events.

Running for Precinct Chair

Ready to Serve Republicans in Precinct 1008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2025
Contact: Carol A. Spencer
RepublicanCarol@gmail.com

Carol A. Spencer Republican Carol Spencer has filed for a place on the ballot in the March 2026 primary to serve as Precinct Chair in Bastrop County (TX) Precinct 1008. Spencer is currently president of the Bastrop County GOP Club. She served as a Bastrop County precinct chair from 2018 – 2022. She is a founder and past-president of the Lost Pines Republican Women. And in 2023, she was named a Texas Federation of Republican Women “Ten Outstanding”, representing the best of the best Texas Republican women.

Believing strongly in the necessity of communicating with the grassroots, Spencer started a newsletter for her precinct and later continued that communications via RepublicanCarol.org. She spearheaded a joint project, The Bastrop County Voters Guide, with the Republican Party. This guide is mailed head-of-household to all Republican households in Bastrop County. This guide contributed to Republican sweeps in each of the last two election cycles.

“Conservative values, Texas values, are the core of my political positions. I’ve brought those core values to everything I’ve done. I’ve worked hard for 35+ years for open government, smaller government, lower taxes, and operational efficiency”, Spencer stated. “My record is solid and with the votes of Republicans in Precinct 1008, I’ll continue those efforts on their behalf.”

Currently serving as Presiding Judge of the Early Voting Ballot Board (EVBB) and Central Count, Spencer is dedicated to ensuring election integrity in Bastrop County. She’s held this position for numerous elections, overseeing mail-in ballot and result count accuracy.

Spencer, a web designer by profession, created her RepublicanCarol.org blog. She designed and manages content for the websites of the Lost Pines Republican Women and the Bastrop County GOP Club. She previously authored the Bastrop County Republican Party website.

Spencer will appear on the ballots of those in Precinct 1008 in the March 3, 2026 Republican primary.

Carol Spencer can be reached via email at RepublicanCarol@gmail.com, on X (formerly Twitter) as @RepublicanCarol, on Gettr as ChazTX, on Facebook at FB.com/RepublicanCarol.

We are all Charlie Kirk

I had the amazing privilege of meeting and talking with Charlie Kirk on May 1, 2021. As the president of Lost Pines Republican Women, I had reached to Charlie’s organization in 2019 to see if we could have him speak at one of our events. At that time, he was filling in for various radio hosts. I knew immediately that I liked what he had to say and he’d be an impactful speaker.

Due to Covid, our event was rescheduled to 2021, one week before his marriage to Erika. That night, and every time I saw Charlie speak after that, I noted that he did not use any notes. Charlie didn’t stand at a podium with his speech on paper or teleprompter in front of him. Charlie had an amazing grasp of the Bible and knowledge of history. He was an incredible strategist. Best of all, Charlie spoke from the heart and mind.

Deep gratitude to Chase Bradshaw who asked me to help with the planning of this tribute to Charlie. Deep gratitude to every person I called and asked to help. Every single one said yes. Gratitude to Thomas Nutty, a Bastrop resident, who put together this video of the event. And, most of all, gratitude to Charlie Kirk who gave his love and his life to our Country.