Where do We Go from Here?
This will be my last column as your Bandera County Republican CEC Chair as my term of office ends June 12th. I want to thank everyone who’s supported me these last few years. It’s been an honor to serve as your Republican County Chair and I want to wish each of the newly elected and re-elected members of the County Republican Party well.
I’ve been asked by many local Republicans what they can expect next, so let me share some pertinent information to help you moving forward.
I intend to turn over all statutorily required documents no later than July 12th as per state law.
(See TX Election Code:)
Sec. 171.028. COUNTY CHAIR TRANSITION. (a) Not later than the 30th day after the date the term of office of a new county chair begins, the person formerly serving as the county chair shall transfer to the new county chair:
(1) local party bank accounts over which the former county chair has authority; and
(2) the following original records that are in the possession of the former county chair:
(A) precinct chair and county chair canvass results.
(B) candidate applications.
(C) paperwork related to the primary election; and
(D) other documents concerning party affairs.
The newly elected County Chair and newly elected Precinct Chairs begin their term June 13th.
The newly elected county chair will call an organizational meeting in late June or early July. (It must be called within forty-five days of the new county and precinct chairs taking office.)
At this meeting the newly elected precinct chairs will vote on officers, local bylaw changes and possibly fill the vacant office of precinct 204 chair. It is important to note - only the newly elected precinct chairs can fill vacant precinct chair positions.
The Texas Election Code clearly states that a “Vacancy may not be filled before the beginning of the term of office in which the vacancy occurs.” (Texas Election Code. Sec. 171.024.)
With all the recent upheaval in our local party, I have encouraged the new precinct chairs to demand an audit and detailed transaction printouts of all 3 Bandera County Republican Party bank accounts to find out how monies were spent during the months of 2022. YOU, as local Republicans, and donors should demand the same.
For your assurance, I as County Chair, in coordination with the Secretary of State, now control the primary fund monies and have sent payment to all 2022 primary run-off workers. All March primary workers who were not properly paid will also receive their compensation retroactively. I encourage every Republican to review the current Bandera County and Texas GOP bylaws and rules. It is the voter’s responsibility to hold their elected officials accountable for following these bylaws.
Each county chair and precinct chair now have a legal and statutory duty to obey Texas law and our state and local party bylaws. I hope each one will do that with honor and integrity and seek to work together for the good of our local party.
I wrote in a previous Bandera Bulletin article, “What the Heck is the CEC?” an overview of a CEC and basic principles that everyone should know. This will give readers more of an understanding of how our local party works and how they can hold our elected party officials accountable. I hope you will read it thoughtfully and if you have any questions, always feel free to reach out to me directly.
I wish I could say I have enjoyed my entire tenure as your County Chair. While my first couple of years were enjoyable, these last few months have been excruciating. As a volunteer in this position, and through all the difficulties, I’ve kept my head up, stood for truth, and carried on. My consolation is the support and friendship I have received from so many of you through it all as well as the support of our state party and the Secretary of State who have been a consistent source of legal guidance and information. I’ve certainly learned a lot!
Despite it all, I will continue to stand alongside you for all the freedoms we hold dear. I hope you, likewise, will continue to do all you can to ensure our county and state stay a bright Republican red!
Lynn Haueter is the Bandera County Republican Party Chair. She lives in Bandera with her husband, Bob, and their Boston Terrier, Bandit. She is a proud fifth generation Texan, a mama bear and grandmama bear.