Name 3 reasons why are you running for SREC. (i.e. including what changes, if any, are needed).
1) To work diligently to see that our party values the input of its members. I would like to change the way representation is granted to temporary appointees to our state convention. I believe that the CEC’s should recommend names for those seats to be filled. I believe that is the best way to remove the cigar filled room stigma that is attached to those appointments.
2) To ensure that all party participants are granted a voice to be heard and opportunity for participation.
3) To hold our elected officials accountable to party platform principals
Define what the word "Conservative" means to you.
A true Conservative is an individual who believes in a literal constitutional adherence to the rule of law, a biblical understanding of principals and morality, and finally someone who believes in upholding the value of an individual over the machinations of a bloated government and mindless progressivism.
As a Republican, if you had to give up one of the following core principles, which one would you select first and why?
1. pro-life
2. 10% reduction in state, fed, local spending
3. 2nd amendment
4. illegal immigration
5. foreign bases
6. 10th amendment
Foreign bases: All of these issues are important to me, but if pressed I choose this one. Understand that I do come from a proud military family, and I do feel that we need to maintain a strong military and have that military’s presence felt abroad for the interest and security of our homeland. However, I do believe in only allocating our military resources amongst our allies that contribute to the cause financially, strategically and on a cost benefit basis.
Should Texas GOP limit their elected officials to 8 years or less from the same office, even though it will force some good candidates to leave an office?
Yes, we need a government of the people. Not career politicians. And we have just as many “good” people to replace those exiting candidates with. I believe the well is bottomless for exceptional Texans. Those that are exiting can still serve the party in other crucial roles.
There's a move afoot to reduce the size of the RPT Platform. Do you agree with this? If your answer is yes, how much (%) would you reduce it and what top 3 items would you remove?
I don’t believe that the RPT should play a role in the size of the platform; that is a decision for the body. Personally, I believe we could clean the platform up significantly by having one plank that states “all levels of government should stay in its lane” and one that states “Society, not Government should manage societal issues”. I am opposed to governmental social engineering.
As an SREC member, would you vote to allow or not allow RINO Republican Elected Officials to apply for office with the Republican Party of Texas, even if some SREC members say it would be a violation of state election law while other SREC members say that a private political party (such as the Republican Party of Texas) has the right of association under the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution? Please explain.
If the candidate does not have true Republican values then they should run as an independent. I personally do not like labeling others, but if the candidate does not stand on our core platform then we have a responsibility to our party to make sure they do not tarnish the Republican brand. I believe the party should have the final say on who is on the ticket, because these individuals represent the party. I believe that every candidate should swear an oath to uphold the party platform that should include ramifications if they violate that oath.
Which is more important an issue in each of the 2 questions …
1. Reducing state spending by 5% or a 10th amendment states right resolution against Obamacare? Why?
2. Requiring abortion clinics to follow standard hospital laws or adding legislation to limit gerrymandering in Texas? Why?
1) Reducing state spending by 5% because a 10th amendment states right resolution against Obamacare would not carry the force of law since the passage of the 17th amendment. The 10th amendment has lost its teeth and has no enforcement authority as the States interests are no longer represented at the Federal level. I believe fervently in the sovereignty of the State over the Federal Government but until repeal of the 17th, that’s not the world we truly live in.
2) Women’s lives have been put at risk for the benefit of these clinics to increase their profits. I don’t believe the life of a Texas child should be snuffed out for the sake of lining planned parenthoods pockets because abortion is murder.
Should barbers and lawyers be licensed? Explain why or why not?
Licensing should be offered but not compulsory. The state can add value to a professional’s resume with certifications but I do not believe the individual should be forced to obtain permission from the government to ply his trade. There is a role for the State in technologically communicating the competency of the skills of tradesmen but they should not have to bear a financial burden to work unless they choose to obtain a certification that adds value.
This is a hypothetical question and not indicative of the current state chairman. In the future, if 2 candidates are running for the Texas GOP chair at the SREC meeting, and one is very conservative but tyrannical, and the other is a moderate and very fair ….. which one will you vote for and why?
Moderate to me translates as someone who is reasonable and tries to maintain objectivity. I don’t believe to be moderate is to be contrary to conservatism and don’t believe it excludes you from being a Republican. It is going to take all of us working together to solve the problems of this country. So yes, very fair is superior to tyrannical so I would vote for the moderate. Tyrannical is never proper it is not appropriate in our service philosophy type of government.
What are your thoughts regarding term limits in every elected/appointed position?
As I answered before, I don’t believe career politicians are healthy or necessary for our Republic. Our founding fathers intended politicians to serve and then return to their lives. Texas founders designed our state government to operate part time so that representatives could stay gainfully employed outside of their service to their citizenry and live outside of a political bubble.
If you're an SREC member and the county chair is conservative, but a moderate complains to you or the state chairman that the county chair is cheating or being grossly unfair regarding some matter… to what extent would you support the moderate request for fairness?
I don’t condone cheating or unethical behavior no matter who it is. I would not want to do anything to damage the party and would endeavor to seek answers and give voice to all issues. I am not for sweeping things under the rug. I believe that in every organization, there should be an effective and agreed upon process for redressing grievances.
Related to the previous question regarding fairness … and the issue of a conservative county chairman (and assuming that there was a pattern of unfairness), would you openly support replacement of the conservative chair over this matter? Even when you would be on the minority side?
I will always stand up for what is just and right, even if I stand alone. Again, I believe an effective and agreed upon process for redressing grievances should be a part of every body’s Bylaws.
At an SREC meeting, if a motion was up for petitioning the State of Texas to release RPT from state law, in exchange for the State of Texas not providing tax funds to defray election costs, would you vote for or against? Why?
I would support the first half of the motion but not in exchange for state funding of elections. I come from a county that has had a dysfunctional county party for over 100 years and believe that it is quite likely that without funding and the oversight that comes with it, Jefferson County may not have properly conducted Republican elections.
Who were your 1st, 2nd and then 3rd choices, in order, for POTUS as of Jan 1st, 2016?
Ted Cruz, Donald Trump, Rand Paul – My only concern with Donald Trump is that I was not sure he was going to fulfill the conservative values that he campaigned on, but I have been very pleased with his presidency so far.
Over the five years, what SCOTUS most represented your views? Why?
No SCOTUS has represented my views in my lifetime because they are so far outside of their designated lane but as for a single Justice - Scalia – for his strict constitutional interpretation of the law.
To what degree is the SCOTUS the final authority of justice?
Judicial Supremacy should be restricted in power to the founding fathers original intent, and that is the interpretation of the law, and not legislation. Nor should they be allowed to impose social justice on the people. SCOTUS should have the very limited authority outlined for them in our constitution.
Do (or have) you belong (dues-paying member) to (a) grassroots group in your senate district/county? If so, which one and for how long? Please list positions held, if any?
Southeast Texas Tea Party – 8 years, no positions available
Golden Triangle Republican Women – 7 years, served as Treasurer and as several Committee Chairs
Spindletop Republican Women – Newly elected President of New Republican Women’s club
What is the direction you have seen the SREC headed in, the involvement of our current SD4 Representatives in this direction and specifically, is this the direction our SD4 wants and what would you do to take the lead its direction?
I believe the SREC has been moving towards a more member driven body and has begun to lift up our party platform. I believe the level of accountability it is exercising over party officials has increased and I believe that is healthy. I would support all actions that would add accountability to the platform to all Republican officials.
Since 1980, what has been your involvement with the state and national RepublicanParty in general, and with Republican candidates on the State, Local and Federal level, and which of those candidates would generally be considered conservative?
I have voted Republican most of my voting life however, in Jefferson county many times we have not had a Republican to vote for. I have watched most national conventions starting with Reagan’s in 1980;
At the state level, I have worked on 3 campaigns for Texas State legislature; Tommy Williams’ (NOT conservative) and Brandon Creighton’s senatorial campaigns; David Bradley’s 3 SBOE campaigns, Dan Patrick’s Lt. Gov campaigns twice, Rick Perry and Greg Abbott’s Gov campaigns twice, Jerry Patterson’s Land Commissioner campaign,
Locally, I have worked for a city Council candidate, County Clerk, Tax Assessor/Collector, County Treasurer, County Commissioner and multiple judicial candidates.
Federally I have worked on the Cruz senatorial race, Ted Poe and Randy Weber; McCain and Romney presidential campaigns (NOT conservative) and recently Cruz first and then Trump presidential campaigns. The two most conservative candidates I have campaigned for are Ted Cruz and David Bradley.
What is your vision with the RPT heading into 2020, what significant challenges do you see it facing, and what are you going to bring to the table in representing all of SD4?
I would like to introduce measures that hold our candidates more accountable to the party platform and implement policies and actions that encourage all members’ voices be heard and grow member participation with complete transparency. Challenges include recruiting viable candidates for all potentially winnable seats, growing the party finances, addressing the contention and disunity that is pervading the party currently and providing advanced technology and support for the county parties. I would rise to our financial challenges by duplicating and magnifying the successes of the past, like the grassroots club, which seems to be waning. I would work to increase fiscal accountability, transparency and responsibility to encourage donors’ confidence in our stewardship without selling control of the party. With a financially sound party, we could better recruit candidates to challenge more and more vacancies and implement a platform centric vetting process. I would work to ensure regular order so that every voice in the party is heard and empower the body to utilize the wisdom of the educated crowd to produce the result that serves the body best. We are stronger when all opinions are considered, properly vetted and supported once consensus is reached. A fully transparent process in which all members have an opportunity to fully participate and be heard is the best way to diffuse disunity and encourage full member engagement.
Whether or not you believe in the maxim that “those who knows the rules, rule”, what has been your training in, expertise or experience in parliamentary procedure, by-law drafting, serving on or assisting boards of directors, intervening in cases against grass roots activists or challenging, applying or enforcing election laws?
My background as chief financial officer of a state school required me to attend and participate in Board of Regent meetings and legislative hearings as well as the executive committee of the college. I did this for over 20 years. Since retirement I have served on the Jefferson County Executive Board as a precinct chair and as a member and secretary of the finance committee. I am recently elected as a president of a local Republican Women's club but served on the executive board of a jumbo women's club for five years. I currently serve on the executive board of the Greater Houston Republican Women and also on the Texas Federation of Republican Women. I serve as an officer for a Daughters of the American Revolution chapter. In most of those organizations I have had input into to the process of drafting the bylaws.
I have obtained and reviewed the "Robert's Rules of Order" several years ago, and have used it for participating in county meetings.
As far as intervening against grass roots activists I was part of a group that hammered out a compromise for the position of County Chair of Jefferson county so that the grass roots had a voice.
On elections laws I have served as an election judge for 6 years in a Democratic controlled county. I have served on ballot board positions at the election barn of Jefferson County
Special Purpose districts are said to promote community development. What's your opinion of this?
I can only support Special Purpose districts if they are governed by elected representatives and funded with an expectation of return on investment.
What best describes your political ideology most(circle only one).
1. Republican
2. Grassroots
3. Conservative
4. Tea Party
Conservative in that I believe the gov’t should stay in its limited lane and not encroach on behavioral or societal purviews.
Tea Party refers to a group of mostly conservatives who have banded together to provide education and promote change to more conservative leadership but it is not a political ideology even though many use it to describe an ideology. Republican is a party and there are different degrees of conservative beliefs within the large group of voters who identify themselves as Republican. Grassroots is a descriptive term meaning from the general populace but it does not necessarily mean they promote conservative ideals.
Who's your choice for the Chair of the RPT? Why and why not for the one you didn't choose?
Although I am striving to remain uncommitted and unannounced to either candidate until the actual vote at the convention, I do respect that as a candidate for the SD 4 SREC position the delegates to the SD 4 convention have a right to know my thoughts. I also have been voted a club president for a Women's Republican club which means that I have to remain publicly neutral between two Republican candidates. So this is not an endorsement of either candidate.
If the vote were to take place today I am leaning toward James Dickey. I feel he needs to be given a full term to be judged on his performance. There are a couple of concerns I have about this choice: 1)most troubling was his slowness to commit to Trump. I did not support those who were willing to go to any lengths to take the nomination away from Trump. I actually was very disappointed in my candidate Ted Cruz in this regards. 2) my other concern is that I am not sure that all was done to make sure Republicans filled as many seats in races across the state as possible. 3) I am concerned about the animosity occurring throughout the party instead of the teamwork that I would like to see. I expect him to respect the Republican Women and the value they bring to the party and perhaps mend some fences.
I will probably not support Cindy Asche even though she has been strongly backed by the Republican women members. She is very professional and seems to be capable to organize the party. I do appreciate that she has put up a strong race because we are always better off when we have choices. I am concerned about her disagreement of the message which I think needed to be sent to Stauss. I worry the big donors who kept Strauss in power will have too strong of an influence on her. I also, worry that she will cause more disagreement among the party as a whole. The final important factor was a trusted state senator's decision to support James Dickey.
These are my thoughts currently on the race and additional information could change my thoughts. Again I am not endorsing either candidate. I am just trying to accumulate information to make a good choice.
I will however, strive to work with the candidate that is chosen by the party delegates at the convention. And, I expect both candidates to make sure that a large group of Republicans does not feel left out of the party for the next two years. We need everyone on board to keep the party strong.
What is your vision with the RPT heading into 2020, what significant challenges do you see it facing, and what are you going to bring to the table in representing all of SD4?
The major challenge is money. Additional funding is key to making sure races are won. However, the party has to make sure that large donors with agendas contrary to the Party Platform are not given too much power. We want our party officials to be held accountable to the platform. I want to concentrate on the Grassroots club giving. We need to make sure our membership knows that broad, small donations will help to prevent big donors from undo power.
I also bring to the table my involvement in a broad spectrum of Republican organizations which will allow me to work toward mending of the split which seems to be occurring within the party. It is essential that all constituents of the party are allowed to participate and are respected and valued for what they bring to the party. We must work together to resolve the differences.
What candidates have you contributed to financially as well as by working for them? Please be specific as to the work you’ve done. Blockwalking, phone-banking, financially, etc.
Financially, my husband and I have had to be very judicious with our campaign donations since our retirement. Before retirement we use to give a big check to the party directly and not a certain candidate. Since retirement we have had to limit our giving and have chosen to direct our money to specific local candidates. We also became concerned about giving unspecified as there were some candidates that might be benefiting that did not fit the conservative values we choose to concentrate on. Our county situation really makes our local candidates very much in need of our support. The only Federal candidates we have contributed to were Cruz and then Trump. On a state level we have supported the campaign of Greg Abbott.
As far as working for the candidates my husband and I have worked as a team. We have contributed our time to the Trump campaign as we were the local distribution point of the Trump yard signs for our county. We spent 100's of hours block walking and distributing yard signs. We at the same time distributed signs for all of our local candidates. We helped organize and attended several meet and greets and fund raisers for our local candidates. In our county we work to support all of the candidates on the Republican ticket. We also, provide our time to keep the party office open during campaign season.
Do you agree with RPT’s current policy to openly film and live stream all SREC and committee meetings, as well as post each vote by our SREC Executive committee members so that their constituents can be aware of how their elected SREC person has voted or should votes be conducted by secret ballot to prevent retirution from those disagreeing with you?
Openness of our governmental process is essential, and desirable for the proper functioning of our representative republic. Transparency is necessary for political integrity. It is imperative that the populace is informed of the process and the votes that take place. I am sure everyone will not always be pleased with my votes and cannot promise that. I can promise to study and do my best to uphold the party platform and to make sure that all Republican Texans are considered.
The members of this SREC body will help in determining the direction of the party for the 2 years leading up to the next Presidential election. We want and need the grassroots to be active in our party. What will you do to coalesce the different groups in our district?
I believe I am the candidate that can best bridge the divides that have taken place. I work with and respect both the Tea Party and the Republican Women's groups. They both are needed to make this party whole and strong for the upcoming races. I am not for labeling others with a particular political term but instead try to get to know people as individuals. I have found that I have much in common with both my friends in the Tea Party and among the Republican Women; I feel both have a right and a duty to grow their groups and reach more voters. I support working things out among the groups and respecting their value to the party. I cannot make people work together however, I can promise to be open to working with all of the party members. And I can promise to be fair and not overly influenced by any particular group.
What actions would you take to ensure that all areas of SD4 are aware of the upcoming actions being considered by the SREC? How do you plan on communicating the results of those decisions?
I will be visiting with all organizations through the district in an effort to impart and receive information from the Republican voters of SD 4. I will also be available for personal communication for all constituents.
Will you represent all of the Republicans in SD4, how will you find out what is on their mind and how will you communicate information back to the whole district.
I plan on attending meetings such as county party, Tea party and Republican
Women's clubs to take questions and comments as well as to give reports of the
SREC at the those meetings. I will always return phone calls/and or emails to
SD 4 people. When assisting with appointments for each of the three counties I
think it is important that many people have a chance to participate. I have
been concerned about the fact that a few favorites always get to serve and I
think it is important that the different groups--for example Tea party vs
Republican Women are equally allowed to participate. I work with both of these
two groups to further the Republican agenda and to get Republicans
elected. But, many only belong to one group and I think everyone should be
included in the operation of the party if qualified.
How do you plan to make sure state wide that Republicans run candidates against democrats and not just yield offices to them without a fight?
I plan to bring this problem up at the SREC meetings and seek to find ways
that the body can work with counties that cannot find candidates and to offer
assistance. I am just opposed to handing races to democrats. The state can
offer many types of assistance to make sure that we are not just giving seats
away. We just need to figure out what is needed in each circumstance.
