Why You Need to Vote in the Primary

As in years past, I have heard many ask why they should vote in this year’s primary election when it comes to the Presidential Election. I always here “My vote doesn’t matter,” or “the race has already been decided by the time Texas holds it’s primary.”

In years past there was a significant bit of truth to this; however, this year’s primary election is going to be much different in the GOP Primary. Your primary vote will count more this year than ever before when it comes to the Presidential election.

There are two reasons for this and I will do my best to explain them in a short and concise manner.

First, the time between the first caucus/primary and the Texas Primary will be about 4 weeks instead of the 10 plus weeks that it was in 2012. That means that in 4 weeks more than half of the GOP primaries will be complete rather than the drawn out three and a half months that is took in 2012. That gives Texas and many other states a much better say in who will be the GOP nominee for President.

Along with this move there was another change that many folks had called for long ago. As part of the process to move the primaries up on the calendar, all the states holding a primary prior to March 15^th will have to distribute their delegates proportionally rather than winner take all as had been the policy before.

That means that rather than the winner of the Texas Primary getting all the delegates at the national convention, the delegates will be distributed proportionally between the candidates based on their percentage of the Primary vote. That means your vote does count in giving your candidate a better chance to get some delegates.

AND, if you’re not certain who you like as a candidate for President, don’t worry!! On this primary ballot there will be a space for “Uncommitted” so you can vote that way and there will be an uncommitted group of delegates at the Convention. Of course the delegation is held to their primary votes only on the first round of balloting, then they can choose who they want.

That brings us to the delegates, their votes, and a brokered convention…...BUT…...I’ll discuss that in a few weeks as we get closer to the Primary.

So for now, pay attention and pick you candidate. Your vote will be counted and your voice can be heard. Come to the Precinct Conventions and the County Convention on March 19th. Be a part of the process.

I look forward to seeing y’all!!

Thanks,

Bill

Campaign No-No’s – I Promise this is SHORT!!

Each campaign season we start off with the highest of aspirations as I pray that we have honorable and up-beat elections based on the issues of the office being sought and the qualifications of the individuals running for those office. Ideally the hope would be that a candidate is qualified to handle the office, understands the entirety of the work done by the office, and wants to serve the constituency that elects them – IDEALLY!!

Sadly, there are some folks who run for office based on one issue; be it to run as a stepping stone to another office, a grievance towards the current officeholder, or an ego that feels the need to occupy that office. Inevitably we have one, or maybe two candidates that fit this bill just about each election cycle.

In the last few days I have had some talks with some concerned voters about a couple of issues and I feel the need to speak out and clear up a few things as they are currently known to the best of the knowledge of the Leadership of the Republican Party of Milam County – AND ME!!

I’ll make these quick and Easy.

1.       Currently, all the candidates running for office are in good standing with the Republican Party of Milam County.

2.       Currently, the entire slate of Republican Candidates is in good health and prepared to continue in or assume office following this year’s elections.

3.       AND, Currently, none of the candidates running for office in Milam County is in any trouble legally, and/or civilly.

Like I said, this is to the best of the knowledge of me and the leadership of the Republican Party of Milam County, and we stay pretty well informed.

So if you hear anything to the contrary, hear any GOP candidate making derogatory comments towards their opponent or another elected GOP officeholder, or you have concerns about something a candidate says, then feel free to give me a call, shoot me a text, hit me up on Facebook, or send me an email and I will be happy to discuss this with you.

I am here for all the candidates; however, I have and always will work towards the goals of fairness and civility in the election process here in Milam County.

Thanks,

Bill

williamwhitmire@yahoo.com

254-482-0354

Convention Delegate Numbers Released

Got word today that we will have 11 delegate positions for the 2016 State GOP Convention this May 12-14 in Dallas. This means that we will have spots for 11 Delegates and 11 Alternates to go to the convention.

This year's convention is during a Presidential election so we will be selecting the delegates for the National Convention to be held in Cleveland, Ohio. This convention will be held July 18-21, 2016 and we will have the opportunity to send folks from here in Milam County is you wish to put you name in for consideration.

But first off it is important to remember that it all starts off with the Local Precinct and County Conventions to be help March 19th. Site of the convention has yet to be determined. That information is in work and should be announced in the next week.

This is the process so get involved!!

Thanks,
Bill

2016 Milam GOP Contested Primary Races

Hello Everyone,

With everything going on I have had several questions about candidates and which races are contested and such. I know this can be confusing so I thought I would get this out to let folks know who the GOP primary candidates are in the contested races that mainly affect Milam County.

The final list of those who filed for office in contested races on the GOP Ballot are as follows (listed alphabetically):

U. S. House of Represntatives (Congressional District 17)

Bill Flores

Ralph Patterson

Kaleb Sims

Texas House of Representatives (District 20)

Marsha Farney

Terry Wilson

Sheriff

David E. Greene

Herbie Vaughan

County Tax Assessor

Melanie Crook

Sherry Mueck

County Commissioner, Precinct 3

John L. Fisher

Odes Foster

Constable, Precinct 1

John Anderle

Steve English 

Constable, Precinct 2

Charles L. “Charlie” West

Kenny Schneebeli 

These are not the final places on the ballot, that will change based on tonight’s ballot drawings. The ballot drawing will be held tonight, December 23, 2015, at 6:30 at 411 E. First Street, Cameron.

Thanks,

Bill

Bill Whitmire

Chairman,

Milam GOP

2016 Republican General Primary Ballot Propositions

Below are the Ballot propositions that will appear on the 2016 GOP Primary Ballot on the March 1^st Primary Election. These propositions were proposed by various parties and worked their way through the process to be approved for the ballot by the State Republican Executive Committee (SREC).

Out of the 52 propositions presented, 48 did not make it. It is important to remember that these propositions are not laws, but are propositions the party will use to set policy for future elected officials to use as a guideline while in office.

As always there are some folks who were incredibly upset at some of the propositions that were or were not included; however, the one that definitely generated the most controversy was the following:

 “If the Federal Government continues to disregard the Constitution and the sovereignty of the State of Texas, the State of Texas should reassert its prior status as an independent nation.”

In the end, this proposition only garnered 16 of 62 votes, so in reality it wasn’t very well received by the SREC. What’s your opinion?

Below are the four ballot propositions that will appear on the March 1^st Primary Ballot:

1. Texas should replace the property tax with an alternative other than an income tax, and require voter approval to increase the overall tax burden. YES/NO

2. Texas cities and counties should be required to comply with federal immigration laws or be penalized by loss of state funds. YES/NO

3. Texas should prohibit governmental entities from collecting dues for labor unions through deductions from public employee paychecks. YES/NO

4. Texas and its citizens should strongly assert 10th Amendment Rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution which states “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States Respectively, or to the people.” YES/NO

Well, there are the four issues the SREC felt warranted a place on the ballot. If you have any ideas, propositions, or resolutions you would like to add to the process, then please come to your precinct convention and the County Convention and present your ideas.

The convention is where resolutions and propositions are received and forwarded to the state. IT’s also where delegates are elected to go to Dallas for the State Convention in May. This year’s state convention will elect delegates the national convention in July held in Cleveland, Ohio. Current plans are to hold both of the Precinct and County Conventions on March 19^th at a time and place to be determined.

If you haven’t been to the conventions, then you are truly missing out on one of the most important parts of the election and governing process.

One last note, tonight is the ballot drawing for a place on the March 1^st Primary Ballot. If you are interested to see the process work, then come on by. It will be held at 411 E. First Street in Cameron.

Until Next Time!!

Bill

Ballot Drawing and other Upcoming Events in Milam County

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to take a little bit of time this morning and let everyone know what is going on here in Milam County in the next week and near future.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015, we will be having our drawing for a place on the ballot. We will kick it off at 6:30 at my family’s office at 411 East First Street in Cameron. That’s that small white building across the railroad tracks from the Crime Stoppers’ House of Horrors.

If you come in a car I would recommend turning on the street just past the office and entering the parking area around the back of the building as the drop directly from First Street to the parking area can be a little treacherous in a non-truck!!

January 19^th, 2016, the Republican Women of Milam County will be having their monthly meeting. Please feel free to come by and enjoy a couple of hours with one of the Texas’ most successful Women’s group. Meeting will begin at 6:30 pm at the Budget Host Inn & Suites in Cameron.

February 4^th, 2016 is the big event of the year for us here in Milam County; the annual Reagan Day and Texas Independence Day Dinner here in Milam County. As with election years in the past, this year there will be no featured speaker; instead each local candidate and contested state/federal candidate will be given some time to speak with the crowd. Lots of time to meet and greet, plus what has only been described as the best meal on the campaign trail….or any other trail for this matter.

The Crowd from Lat Years Reagan Day & Texas Independence Day Dinner!

Tickets are $50 a piece and tables can be bought as well. Email me for specifics on this.

That’s about it for today. I hope all is well with each of you. I look forward to seeing those who can make it Wednesday.

Merry Christmas,

Bill

Bill Whitmire

Chairman,

Republican Party of Milam County

williamwhitmire@yahoo.com

Addressing the Recent Issue

Hello Everyone,

I have been asked by many about the recent issue involving former Milam County Tax Assessor-Collector Kolette Morgan. I am not sure I can shed much light on the issue as the information I have is the same as most folks in Milam County. Contrary to any suggestions otherwise, I am not privy to any extra information as County Chairman, nor do I wish to have any special treatment as such.

As I sent out in my press release on Tuesday December 8, 2015, I was informed via text message that evening by Mrs. Morgan that she would not be seeking reelection based on a decision she made after discussing it with her family and doctor. That is all we discussed in the two texts that were sent

The next morning, December 9, 2015, I found out about the actual charges and plea deal like most others in Milam County, via press coverage of the court proceedings. I am saddened by this turn of events and it is not as a Republican Party member or chairman that I have concern, but as a citizen of Milam County.

I have been contacted by many Milam County Citizens regarding statements made by various individuals for political and personal reasons; however, I waited to make a comment until I had some actual and relevant information to share.

Here is what I know. This investigation was conducted by Milam County District Attorney Investigator Douglas Kunkel and the State Attorney General’s office. The investigation was conducted in secret, as is normal of an investigation such as this as per standard investigative practice.

Once it was apparent that charges would be filed, Mrs. Morgan was notified and a plea bargain was quickly reached with a penalty not out of line with that of similar court rulings or plea deals. Likewise, once it was apparent this would be the outcome, the plea bargain and penalty phase was completed in an expedited manner to avoid any conflict with the filing period and the upcoming election process.

I applaud the efforts of those involved in the investigation and the penalty phase for their diligent work on behalf of the citizens of Milam County. These individuals represent both political parties here in Milam County and did their jobs not as members of a political party, but as responsible officials of Milam County, both elected and appointed. This was a difficult situation for all involved and I thank them for their efforts to seek the truth and bring this issue to a swift and appropriate conclusion.

In closing, I would remind everyone to consider the values and beliefs we hold dear here in Milam County and pray for all involved, including the Morgan Family. It is important to remember that at this moment this is still in the process of being concluded. None of us know the reason this incident happened; and while a transgression occurred, it has also been adjudicated and now we must move forward.

Thank You,

Bill

Bill Whitmire

Chairman,

Republican Party of Milam County