Dear Harris County Republicans,

Going into the November election cycle, the pundits had written our political obituary, predicting a Democratic sweep in Harris County. A prediction that did not become a reality. However, it was a challenging year for Republicans across the nation and in Harris County. Yet, despite the Obama wave, we were able to retain all statewide offices, three of the six non judicial countywide races, including the top post in county government - county judge, as well as the district attorney’s office, and the tax assessor-collector.  We held seven appellate/district court benches, but, unfortunately, we lost some very talented Republican judges. We had some setbacks, but if we learn from the process, a setback is just a set up for a comeback. We must now ask ourselves, “What lessons did we learn from the 2008 election cycle, and what do we need to do to be successful in 2010?”

In order for a local party to be successful, two things must occur; the party’s base of core voters must be organized and energized. The organization comes from the party and the respective campaigns working together to register voters and get them out to vote. This is the blocking and tackling of politics. The energy, however, comes from our elected officials and the policies they pursue in their respective positions. Both elements are necessary for success at the ballot box.

Over the past few weeks, I have heard some people comment on the HCRP’s efforts during the last election cycle. Some of the information was grossly inaccurate. As many recall, we began writing our 2008 campaign plan the day after the 2006 election. The plan had a voter registration and get out the vote (“GOTV”) program that was more aggressive and proactive than any election program the HCRP has ever employed. The voter registration, voter identification and GOTV programs included the following: Adopt a Pct. program (grassroots effort focused on education, ID and GOTV at the Pct. level. Hundreds of precincts were adopted.); Over 30,000 Voter Registration mailers sent to Harris County new movers; Over 100,000 live and automated calls to new movers list; 75,000 Voter Registration door hangers distributed; Victory/HCRP program to distribute over 100,000 applications to vote by mail to Republicans 65 and older; Made chase calls to the 100,000 file urging voters to send in application to vote by mail; Four Victory Centers were opened (phone banks as well as sign/literature distribution centers); Managed $1.6 million Joint Judicial campaign (TV, Radio, direct mail including two Spanish only mail pieces, phones, Early and Election Day coverage at the polls)(See below); 100,000 Support our Judges door hangers distributed; organized and distributed literature at 20 early voting locations; distributed over 10,000 McCain/Palin yard signs; Placed Make History, Vote Republican Palin billboards; Significant automated calling including calls to Independents, Republicans, Spanish and Asian language phoning; Over 100 e-blast to voters; Distributed 150,000 Vote Republican door hangers through multiple organized block walks. The GOTV effort began after the voter registration deadline, continued through early voting and culminated in a final push during the last seventy-two hours and through election day.
   
In 2008, over 1000 Harris County Republicans participated in our grass roots efforts, working phone banks at our four Victory Centers, participating in our get out the vote walks, stuffing envelops and doing all the important tasks that are necessary for victory. Our four Victory Centers were located on the Northwest, South, West and East sides of Harris County. Our south side headquarters was instrumental in sending Pete Olson to Congress from Congressional District 22. A special thanks to Lillian Norman Keeney for all her hard work. Lillian began running the southside headquarters in early July. As a result of her efforts and all the volunteers in the southside office, we turned out a record number of Republican voters in the Harris County portion of Congressional District 22.

Over the past eight years, I have had the opportunity to work with numerous Texas Victory Campaigns (“Victory”). For those not familiar with the program, Victory is the statewide effort to elect Republicans. This year’s Victory Chairman, Roger Williams, was amazing. From a fund raising perspective, Victory was able to raise more money than any Victory effort I have seen. Additionally, Chairman Williams was tireless in his efforts, stumping around the state for our ticket. Each of us owes Chairman Roger Williams a great debt of gratitude for his hard work.

The Republican Party of Texas was very helpful in implementing our plan in Harris County. Specifically, Chairman Benkiser and ED, Eric Opeala, played an integral part in our efforts.

Organization is only one part of the victory formula. You can organize all day long, but if your base is not energized, victory will not follow. The question is: How do you energize the Republican base? The answer is simple: stick to the principles that got you elected! Don’t forget the conservative Republican values of limited government, lower taxes, strong national defense, sanctity of life and pro family policies.

Unfortunately, some recent policies have not energized our base. Out of control governmental spending, i.e., earmarks, new taxes, a failure to pass photo identification, inability to pass appraisal caps, and ethical lapses have left some of the base of our party less than enthusiastic. If we are going to be successful in 2010, Republicans must energize the base by getting back to those principles that brought us to the majority.  It’s not too late. The 2009 legislative session must include priorities that ignite a grass roots Republican wildfire that will burn all the way into the 2010 election cycle.

We must control spending, eliminate unnecessary taxes, pass photo identification, pass meaningful ethics reform, and be good stewards of the environment. This is just a partial list, but the point is that our elected officials must have their finger on the pulse of the base, the same base that is willing to roll up their sleeves on a hot, humid Houston summer and walk the blocks of their neighborhoods in an effort to register voters and promote Republican candidates.

We need to remember the lessons of the past. Going into the 2003 legislative session, Texas faced a budget shortfall, and there was pressure being placed on Republicans to create a state income tax. Republicans rejected the liberal mindset and balanced the budget without raising taxes and, instead, cut spending. They were pilloried in the press. However, their bold commitment to conservative principles energized the Republican base and resulted in a historic victory in 2004 with Republicans sweeping Harris County. In fact, it was the first time in the history of Harris County that there were more straight ticket Republican votes than Democratic votes in a presidential election. The 2009 Republican legislators must adopt this same conservative mindset if we expect to be successful in 2010.

We must grow our base. How do we do that? First, we stick to the principles described above. Second, we must attract new voters. We must grow in communities that have not traditionally voted Republican. This means reaching out to the fastest growing minority community in the country, Hispanics. Thanks to the generosity and hard work of Dorothy Olmos, for the first time in Harris County, we have a permanent Republican headquarters on the Eastside of town. This office will provide services to the Hispanic community. Next month this office will feature a series of seminars that assist individuals who want to start small businesses. The courses will take place at the office and be taught by successful business people. Throughout the year the Republican Party will become more involved in the Hispanic community, partnering with Hispanic leaders and organizations like the Republican National Hispanic Assembly (RNHA) in an effort to grow our party. Additionally, we will continue our partnership with J.R. Harris Elementary School and other institutions of learning, working to provide educational opportunities for our future leaders.

Hispanic values are Republican values and Republican values are Hispanic values. However, for too long, we have failed to communicate our winning message to the Hispanic community. As a party, we must embrace the Hispanic community. I am convinced that people don’t care what you have to say until they know you care. Investing our time and energy to provide opportunity to this community will demonstrate that we do care. We must be a part of the Hispanic community if we expect to be the majority party in the future.  We must elect conservative Hispanic leaders who will take our Republican values into the community and defeat the Democrat machine that perpetuates the lie that Republicans are only for the rich.

Neither can we give up on securing votes in the African-American community. We must work with our friends in the Texas Federation of Black Republicans and other organizations that represent the African-American community. We must recruit precinct chairs in areas that are predominantly African-American. The precinct chair serves as the building block for the Republican infrastructure within the precinct. We must establish this infrastructure in all communities. We will continue to aggressively pursue filling these positions. We have made some progress in this area, but we have more work to do.

Finally, in an effort to continue growing and organizing our grass-roots base, we are hiring a full time grass-roots coordinator. This person will assist in organizing and training our grass-roots leaders. Additionally, we will begin a series of retraining programs in an effort to further organize the precincts. This includes appointing a vice-chair and other lieutenants to assist the elected precinct chair. This will help deepen the Republican infrastructure in the precinct. Among other things, the precinct leaders will be asked to host coffees and participate in a voter identification/contact program that begins in early 2009.

In late 2007, we were faced with a district attorney who violated the trust the people had placed in him. Facing an impending January 3rd filing deadline, we decided to act and act quickly, calling on the DA to resign. The DA stepped down, paving the way for a new nominee, Judge Pat Lykos. As most know, Judge Lykos went on to win in November and will take the helm at the District Attorney’s Office in January.

Unfortunately, some Republican office holders like former congressman Duke Cunningham have made the news for all the wrong reasons. The constant news stories continued to tarnish the Republican brand in Harris County. What has become abundantly clear is that legislative changes that will permit ethics reform at all levels is needed.  Judge Ed Emmett created an advisory panel that has proposed ethics reform that must be dealt with during the next legislative session. Your HCRP created a committee led by Mike Riddle and Robert Talton that has also proposed legislative changes.  We will work with Judge Emmett and our state legislators to make sure that these changes are made during the next legislative session. Until those changes are made, a good rule to follow is to avoid any conduct that has the look of impropriety, regardless of whether it may technically be legal. We must reestablish the trust the people of Harris County have placed in us.