The Opportunity We Have in Travis County
I often hear people tell me that they do not believe that we have elected Republican officials in Travis County. I always enjoy educating them.
Let me make a list:
> We have all six members of the 3rd Court of Appeals.
> We have four members of Congress whose districts include parts of Travis County.
> We have two State Senators who represent Travis County, including one who lives in Travis County.
> We have one State Representative whose entire district is in Travis County.
> We have a Travis County Commissioner who represents Travis County.
> We have one of the ten members of the Austin City Council.
When you add in other local offices, this list could be much longer.
Are we satisfied?
No, not even close.
As recently as several years ago, the Travis County Republican Party (TCRP) has an annual budget of around $30,000. In just two years, we have grown that to over $325,000.
A few years ago, all we had was a part-time executive director and we went months at a time without a physical office. Now, we have a full-time executive director, a part-time deputy executive director, a part-time communications director, and downtown office space.
We have a record 130 precinct chairs currently serving. We have ten committees working and reporting each month on their activities.
We have greater unity and focus as an organization than at any time since I have been involved over the past six years. And the future is bright.
I am proud of what we have built, growing from the foundation laid by many who have come before me, including Alan Sager, Rosemary Edwards, and most recently, James Dickey.
TCRP has a three-part mission: Elect more Republicans, Grow the Party and Advance Conservative Principles.
In the closing days of this midterm election, we are solely focused on electing as many Republicans as possible.
On top of the work we are doing to help all of our candidates, we have seven races that we are giving special assistance in the closing weeks. When the election is over, we will reveal the entirety of this work.
But suffice it to say that our vote recommendations are clear:
> We urge every Republican to vote a straight GOP ticket (this helps all of our candidates)
> Vote for Todd Phelps for Mayor (TCRP endorsed)
> Vote for Frank Ward for City Council, District 8 (TCRP endorsed)
> Vote against the bonds (Props. A-G)
> Vote YES on Prop K (the efficiency audit for the City of Austin)
There is a lot at stake in this election. This is certainly true nationally, but it is especially true here.
The future of the 3rd Court of Appeals is at stake. Our representation in Washington is at stake. Our representation in the Texas House is at stake. The future of the City of Austin is at stake.
If you want to see our party succeed on November 6, then we need you to do as many of these things as possible:
1) Vote and encourage your friends and family to vote — You can find helpful information including our vote recommendations and all voting locations here)
2) Volunteer — We need people to hand out materials at election locations or serve as poll watchers on Election Day. Email Carla Birk (carla.tcrp@gmail.com) to get involved.
3) Contact voters — Madison Huerta with the Abbott campaign can plug you in to their block walking and phone banking efforts immediately. Email her — MHuerta@gregabbott.com.
4) Contribute to TCRP — We are spending every single available dollar to help our candidates, but our Get Out The Vote budget is not fully funded. Please can contribute here.
It is my privilege to serve as TCRP Chairman.
We are doing everything we can to elect as many Republicans as possible. We have never done more voter contact than we are doing right now. We have never had more people working than we do right now.
Please join us in these closing days.
We will all celebrate on November 6. I hope you will join us that evening.
Matt Mackowiak is the Chairman of the Travis County GOP. Learn more at TravisGOP.com. He can be reached at chair@travisgop.com.
