FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 7, 2009 Contact: Joe Gimenez, 713.478.8034
Travis County Republican Party Fields Largest Slate of Primary and General Election Candidates in Recent History
New Candidates will Challenge Democrat Hegemony in All Blue County; Neophytes Take Heart in Successful Republican Campaigns in Local Races around Country
AUSTIN – The Travis County Republican Party on Thursday introduced a record breaking slate of candidates for state and local races in recent history.
“We’ve been successfully recruiting citizen leaders to run for office for a year now,” said Rosemary Edwards, chair of the Travis County Republican Party. “The filing process has been a joy to experience, because the growing discontent with our current leadership on the local and national levels has propelled many to step forward to run for office, to serve their community.
“The candidates on the Republican slate are representative of the best that Travis County has to offer: A clear choice of common sense leadership, integrity and focus on our fellow citizens of Austin who want to keep jobs if you have them, find jobs if you’ve lost yours and provide for your family for them to be prosperous,” Edwards concluded.
LIST OF TRAVIS COUNTY CANDIDATES
Texas State Senator, District 14
Quote from Mary Lou Serafine:
”
I’m running because Kirk Watson and the Democrats have done little more than promote “feel-good” legislation. They over-tax, then hand out silly rebates and “incentives” that sound nice but do nothing. Anybody who knows me knows I attack problems aggressively and head-on. That would be health insurance, job-creation, tort reform, the environment. The Democrats have fought for policies of high taxes, high energy costs, more government intrusion, and less freedom. We are going to stop that.”
Texas State Senator, District 25
Texas State Representative, District 47
Quote from David Sewell:
“I am running for the Texas state house because I believe we need a clear plan for change. Our freedoms are eroding and personal liberties decreasing while the size of government increases. I want all Texans to be able to see the torch of liberty, and that means revitalizing our economy and creating jobs through meaningful tax reform. It means defending pro-family, Texas Hill Country values.”
Quote from Holly Turner:
– David Sewell, Holly Turner, Paul Workman – Jeff Wentworth
I’m running because Kirk Watson and the Democrats have done little more than promote “feel-good” legislation. They over-tax, then hand out silly rebates and “incentives” that sound nice but do nothing. Anybody who knows me knows I attack problems aggressively and head-on. That would be health insurance, job-creation, tort reform, the environment. The Democrats have fought for policies of high taxes, high energy costs, more government intrusion, and less freedom. We are going to stop that.””
It has been wonderful to meet so many of our neighbors door-to-door, during this campaign. People in southwest Travis Country are itching for something new, they’re aching for their concerns to be heard, and they want a strong conservative voice to represent us in the Legislature. Me too – that’s why I’m running!”Quote from Paul Workman:
”
I am running to control property taxes and state spending, to create jobs and opportunity for our children, and to push back against Washington mandates that mortgage our future. I bring 25 years of entrepreneurial experience and civic leadership in Travis County to this campaign, and I know our part of Travis County wants common sense, conservative representation rather than the politics of liberal ideologues that have given us jammed freeways, taxpayer-funded abortion, and reckless spending.”Texas State Representative, District
Quote from Dan Neil:
”
Texas State Representative, District 50
Quote from Patrick McGuinness:
“I care about our freedom and our future. Democrats in Washington are squandering our financial security, hurting our opportunity to reach the American dream, and attacking our liberties. I will stand up and secure a better future for all our children. I will bring smart, principled leadership to the challenges that face this district and the state of Texas. I am a small-Government conservative who will stand up against the current tide of bad, failed big-Government liberalism,” stated McGuinness.
Texas State Representative, District 51
Travis County Judge, Commissioners Court
Quote from McNamara:
– Mike McNamara – Marilyn Jackson – Ryan Lambert, Patrick McGuinnessI decided to run for the Texas House of Representatives because it was time to take action. We need to look at reforming out tax laws to encourage businesses to create jobs and to help families keep more of what they earn. This campaign will be about standing up to the Democrat policies of my opponent and the Obama Administration, so that we can continue to keep Texas strong.””
Travis County Commissioner, Precinct 2
Travis County Treasurer
Quote from Landrum:
“I have chosen to run for Travis County Treasurer in order to apply my knowledge and experience in finance to a role that has been occupied by a Democrat for 25 years, with zero experience in finance. My goal is to make the position relevant again. The Austin American Statesman has not endorsed her for some time due to the responsibilities that she has been relieved of due to her inexperience. I aim to take a leading role in rebuilding those responsibilities.”
353rd District Court
Justice of the Peace, Travis County Precinct 2
Quote from Glenn Bass:
– Glenn Bass – Jeff Rose – Erich Landrum – David ButtrossTravis County is out of step with the rest of the state in terms of job growth and fiscal management. Central Texas used to be called “Silicon Hills” because of the rich technology job base here. What are we doing to get back that job growth environment? I believe that we must turn this county around and begin growing the technology enterprise that we once enjoyed. My experience and vision can lead that change. We must provide an environment in Travis County that is conducive to job growth including lower taxes, improving and developing our infrastructure, and emphasizing technology job training.””
Justice of the Peace, Travis County Precinct 3
Quote from Mike Barré:
– Mike Barré, Madeleine Connor:As a non-lawyer with a lifetime of business and community involvement, I will be a fair, just and impartial Justice of the Peace for the people’s court.” ”
As the Justice of the Peace for Precinct 3, I pledge to be a fair and impartial judge, construe the law strictly according to its original intent, and follow the constitution,” said Mike Barré, Candidate for Justice of the Peace, Travis County Precinct 3. “The Justice of the Peace plays a vital role in our system of checks and balances which are designed to protect the rights and property of the people, with precinct 3 handling about 25,000 criminal and civil case per year. After four years in the computer field, three years studying law at Washington & Lee University, and ten years as a patent attorney, it would be a great honor to serve my community in this capacity, and to actively advance the basic American values of justice, freedom, and personal responsibility.”
——————————————————————————
REMARKS BY ROSEMARY EDWARDS, CHAIR, TRAVIS COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY
January 7, 2010 Press Conference
Good Morning, ladies and gentlemen, members of the press and fellow citizens.
We are delighted to welcome you here to Travis County Republican Party headquarters for some announcements of major importance to the viewers and readers of your newspapers and blogs, TV and radio channels. Welcome!
I am Rosemary Edwards, chairman of the Travis County Republican Party and I want you to join me in congratulating and complimenting these courageous citizens who have stepped forward to run as Republicans for elected political office in Travis County
We have been working for the last two years to find citizen leaders to make the serious commitment to run for elected office, ones who will offer a clear alternative to Democrat incumbents in office. We are presenting many of them to you today
We have 16
...the ones who could get off work and make the time in their morning... and welcome your questions individually to them when we adjourn. Republican candidates who will be competing for offices in county-wide races. There are 8 more candidates for positions that include parts of Travis County and extend outside its boundaries. Along with the 22 state-wide and 7 federal races where Republicans vie for positions, voters in Travis County will have 53 Republicans on the Primary Ballot in March….And not to forget the most crucial elected position in the Republican Party: Precinct Chairs. 153 Applications were submitted for Republican Precinct Chairs
I’ll tell you.
You are seeing citizens who are motivated to challenge the conventional wisdom of seeing the government as a remedy for problems…
You must be asking yourself, “What is going on here?”it’s the overreach of big government that is the problem.And I would like to speak directly to the citizens of Travis County…
These
citizen leaders who are bravely stepping forward to represent the people of Travis County are just like you…facing the same challenges you are facing every day to be a responsible citizens, to raise a family, hold a job (or two) or cope with a job loss…who have friends and neighbors who are very concerned where our country and county is headed. These candidates standing here come from your neighborhood, your network of community support and they are courageously running as Republicans in Travis County.There is a sense of urgency about stepping forward at this time in our nation’s hist
ory. And they have bravely answered the call to serve you with a servant’s heart and pledge to you to hold office with integrity, honor and within the time that it takes to accomplish common sense goals for you, their family, neighbors and friends. You are seeing the 2010 tipping point with the phenomenal shift
The sift is
of citizens’ attitudes and actions. This sift became publicly visible this spring in the (Taxed Erallies expressing liberty and freedom, but it also showed resoundingly in the voting results in New Jersey, continued in Virginia, and has spread to numerous local races around the country, where Independents and Democrats are joining our Republican voters in favor of conservative candidates. unfolding in Texas as well. Over 70 Furthermore on the national scene, entrenched Democrats like Chris Dodd, Senator from Connecticut, decided to not run for re-election this week…yes, the winds are blowing in a different direction and we here in Travis County are going to ride with the wind in our backs…but we do not kid our selves to think it will be easy. Travis County is one of the last strongholds of a liberal agenda and they will not give up without a hard, hard fight. To the liberal Democrats whose policies are leading us down the path of a failing economy with waste, excessive spending and back room dealing, we citizens who want common sense policies that support liberty, freedom and prosperity in our great city and county…say GAME ON!We are inviting all citizens of
Travis County to join us to get to know our candidates, ask them questions, find out if you would trust them to represent you…I believe you will find all our candidates present a clear choice of common sense leadership this next election cycle. Each of our candidates will offer details along the campaign trail as they get out in the community to ask for your support. Each presents a clear alternative when challenging the Democrat incumbent and you will hear specific campaign pledges from our great slate of candidates. So
Now, without further ado, let me introduce to you who we have here and the office they are running for.
As Joe said earlier, we want you all to have one-on-one time with these candidates before your noon shows. Otherwise we would be here all morning if each candidate were to address individual questions.
Thank you all again, and I’ll turn it back to Joe….
, no matter your party affiliation, I hope you will join me in wishing these brave people – these citizen leaders – good luck in their campaigns. They have a tough road ahead, a lot of long days and long nights as they dedicate themselves to running for elected office. They will knock on your door, call you on the phone, meet you at community gatherings.They deserve our respect – and our thanks – for stepping forward and offering themselves to the voters of Travis County. I know that I am so grateful for their courage. –30–
Democrats have switched party affiliation across the state of Texas in the past few months, with more possibly on the way.nough Already) 48 – Dan Neil – Mary Lou Serafine
There are 16 Republican candidates who will be competing for offices in Travis county-wide races. There are 8 more candidates for positions that include parts of Travis County and extend outside its boundaries. Along with the 22 state-wide races and 7 federal races where Republicans vie for positions, voters in this county will have to make choices among some 53 Republicans on the ballot in Travis County.
At the grassroots level there are 17 contested races for Republican precinct chairmen positions in Travis County. There are also 153 seats where the chairmen will be uncontested. There are 210 precincts in Travis County. The following pages provide a list of offices, candidates and quotes from the candidates, if available:
– Mary Lou Serafine
There are 16 Republican candidates who will be competing for offices in Travis county-wide races. There are 8 more candidates for positions that include parts of Travis County and extend outside its boundaries. Along with the 22 state-wide races and 7 federal races where Republicans vie for positions, voters in this county will have to make choices among some 53 Republicans on the ballot in Travis County.
At the grassroots level there are 17 contested races for Republican precinct chairmen positions in Travis County. There are also 153 seats where the chairmen will be uncontested. There are 210 precincts in Travis County. The following pages provide a list of offices, candidates and quotes from the candidates, if available:
I’m running because Kirk Watson and the Democrats have done little more than promote “feel-good” legislation. They over-tax, then hand out silly rebates and “incentives” that sound nice but do nothing. Anybody who knows me knows I attack problems aggressively and head-on. That would be health insurance, job-creation, tort reform, the environment. The Democrats have fought for policies of high taxes, high energy costs, more government intrusion, and less freedom. We are going to stop that.””
It has been wonderful to meet so many of our neighbors door-to-door, during this campaign. People in southwest Travis Country are itching for something new, they’re aching for their concerns to be heard, and they want a strong conservative voice to represent us in the Legislature. Me too – that’s why I’m running!”Quote from Paul Workman:
”
I am running to control property taxes and state spending, to create jobs and opportunity for our children, and to push back against Washington mandates that mortgage our future. I bring 25 years of entrepreneurial experience and civic leadership in Travis County to this campaign, and I know our part of Travis County wants common sense, conservative representation rather than the politics of liberal ideologues that have given us jammed freeways, taxpayer-funded abortion, and reckless spending.”Texas State Representative, District
Quote from Dan Neil:
”
Texas State Representative, District 50
Quote from Patrick McGuinness:
“I care about our freedom and our future. Democrats in Washington are squandering our financial security, hurting our opportunity to reach the American dream, and attacking our liberties. I will stand up and secure a better future for all our children. I will bring smart, principled leadership to the challenges that face this district and the state of Texas. I am a small-Government conservative who will stand up against the current tide of bad, failed big-Government liberalism,” stated McGuinness.
Texas State Representative, District 51
Travis County Judge, Commissioners Court
Quote from McNamara:
– Mike McNamara – Marilyn Jackson – Ryan Lambert, Patrick McGuinnessI decided to run for the Texas House of Representatives because it was time to take action. We need to look at reforming out tax laws to encourage businesses to create jobs and to help families keep more of what they earn. This campaign will be about standing up to the Democrat policies of my opponent and the Obama Administration, so that we can continue to keep Texas strong.””
Travis County Commissioner, Precinct 2
Travis County Treasurer
Quote from Landrum:
“I have chosen to run for Travis County Treasurer in order to apply my knowledge and experience in finance to a role that has been occupied by a Democrat for 25 years, with zero experience in finance. My goal is to make the position relevant again. The Austin American Statesman has not endorsed her for some time due to the responsibilities that she has been relieved of due to her inexperience. I aim to take a leading role in rebuilding those responsibilities.”
353rd District Court
Justice of the Peace, Travis County Precinct 2
Quote from Glenn Bass:
– Glenn Bass – Jeff Rose – Erich Landrum – David ButtrossTravis County is out of step with the rest of the state in terms of job growth and fiscal management. Central Texas used to be called “Silicon Hills” because of the rich technology job base here. What are we doing to get back that job growth environment? I believe that we must turn this county around and begin growing the technology enterprise that we once enjoyed. My experience and vision can lead that change. We must provide an environment in Travis County that is conducive to job growth including lower taxes, improving and developing our infrastructure, and emphasizing technology job training.””
Justice of the Peace, Travis County Precinct 3
Quote from Mike Barré:
– Mike Barré, Madeleine Connor:As a non-lawyer with a lifetime of business and community involvement, I will be a fair, just and impartial Justice of the Peace for the people’s court.” ”
As the Justice of the Peace for Precinct 3, I pledge to be a fair and impartial judge, construe the law strictly according to its original intent, and follow the constitution,” said Mike Barré, Candidate for Justice of the Peace, Travis County Precinct 3. “The Justice of the Peace plays a vital role in our system of checks and balances which are designed to protect the rights and property of the people, with precinct 3 handling about 25,000 criminal and civil case per year. After four years in the computer field, three years studying law at Washington & Lee University, and ten years as a patent attorney, it would be a great honor to serve my community in this capacity, and to actively advance the basic American values of justice, freedom, and personal responsibility.”
——————————————————————————
REMARKS BY ROSEMARY EDWARDS, CHAIR, TRAVIS COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY
January 7, 2010 Press Conference
Good Morning, ladies and gentlemen, members of the press and fellow citizens.
We are delighted to welcome you here to Travis County Republican Party headquarters for some announcements of major importance to the viewers and readers of your newspapers and blogs, TV and radio channels. Welcome!
I am Rosemary Edwards, chairman of the Travis County Republican Party and I want you to join me in congratulating and complimenting these courageous citizens who have stepped forward to run as Republicans for elected political office in Travis County
We have been working for the last two years to find citizen leaders to make the serious commitment to run for elected office, ones who will offer a clear alternative to Democrat incumbents in office. We are presenting many of them to you today
We have 16
...the ones who could get off work and make the time in their morning... and welcome your questions individually to them when we adjourn. Republican candidates who will be competing for offices in county-wide races. There are 8 more candidates for positions that include parts of Travis County and extend outside its boundaries. Along with the 22 state-wide and 7 federal races where Republicans vie for positions, voters in Travis County will have 53 Republicans on the Primary Ballot in March….And not to forget the most crucial elected position in the Republican Party: Precinct Chairs. 153 Applications were submitted for Republican Precinct Chairs
I’ll tell you.
You are seeing citizens who are motivated to challenge the conventional wisdom of seeing the government as a remedy for problems…
You must be asking yourself, “What is going on here?”it’s the overreach of big government that is the problem.And I would like to speak directly to the citizens of Travis County…
These
citizen leaders who are bravely stepping forward to represent the people of Travis County are just like you…facing the same challenges you are facing every day to be a responsible citizens, to raise a family, hold a job (or two) or cope with a job loss…who have friends and neighbors who are very concerned where our country and county is headed. These candidates standing here come from your neighborhood, your network of community support and they are courageously running as Republicans in Travis County.There is a sense of urgency about stepping forward at this time in our nation’s hist
ory. And they have bravely answered the call to serve you with a servant’s heart and pledge to you to hold office with integrity, honor and within the time that it takes to accomplish common sense goals for you, their family, neighbors and friends. You are seeing the 2010 tipping point with the phenomenal shift
The sift is
of citizens’ attitudes and actions. This sift became publicly visible this spring in the (Taxed Erallies expressing liberty and freedom, but it also showed resoundingly in the voting results in New Jersey, continued in Virginia, and has spread to numerous local races around the country, where Independents and Democrats are joining our Republican voters in favor of conservative candidates. unfolding in Texas as well. Over 70 Furthermore on the national scene, entrenched Democrats like Chris Dodd, Senator from Connecticut, decided to not run for re-election this week…yes, the winds are blowing in a different direction and we here in Travis County are going to ride with the wind in our backs…but we do not kid our selves to think it will be easy. Travis County is one of the last strongholds of a liberal agenda and they will not give up without a hard, hard fight. To the liberal Democrats whose policies are leading us down the path of a failing economy with waste, excessive spending and back room dealing, we citizens who want common sense policies that support liberty, freedom and prosperity in our great city and county…say GAME ON!We are inviting all citizens of
Travis County to join us to get to know our candidates, ask them questions, find out if you would trust them to represent you…I believe you will find all our candidates present a clear choice of common sense leadership this next election cycle. Each of our candidates will offer details along the campaign trail as they get out in the community to ask for your support. Each presents a clear alternative when challenging the Democrat incumbent and you will hear specific campaign pledges from our great slate of candidates. So
Now, without further ado, let me introduce to you who we have here and the office they are running for.
As Joe said earlier, we want you all to have one-on-one time with these candidates before your noon shows. Otherwise we would be here all morning if each candidate were to address individual questions.
Thank you all again, and I’ll turn it back to Joe….
, no matter your party affiliation, I hope you will join me in wishing these brave people – these citizen leaders – good luck in their campaigns. They have a tough road ahead, a lot of long days and long nights as they dedicate themselves to running for elected office. They will knock on your door, call you on the phone, meet you at community gatherings.They deserve our respect – and our thanks – for stepping forward and offering themselves to the voters of Travis County. I know that I am so grateful for their courage. –30–
Democrats have switched party affiliation across the state of Texas in the past few months, with more possibly on the way.nough Already) 48 – Dan Neil
Eastaustinvoice's Weblog 