Open Letter: Ensuring Conservative Leadership in the Texas House

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December 23, 2024

Dear Representatives Todd Hunter and Denise Villalobos,

As Chairman of the Nueces County Republican Party, I am writing to respectfully urge you to uphold your commitment to the principles of the Republican Party and the voters who placed their trust in you.

We encourage you to vote for a Speaker of the Texas House who is chosen by the majority of Republican members. As the party of law and order, it is essential that our Republican Elected Officials adhere to the Republican Party of Texas Rules and the Texas House Republican Caucus Rules. These rules are in place to ensure the Speaker reflects the values and priorities of Republican voters across Texas.
We commend both of you for not walking out during the Caucus voting process, demonstrating your commitment to integrity and respect for the rules and process of the Caucus.

A Call for Unity

We believe it is vital for Republican Representatives to stand together in supporting a Speaker candidate chosen by the Republican majority. Relying on the majority support of Democrats to secure this important position could create division and weaken our ability to advance conservative policies. The Speaker of the Texas House plays a pivotal role in setting the legislative agenda. It is crucial that this position reflects the Republican majority entrusted with leading Texas forward. The voters of Nueces County have placed their trust in you to champion conservative values, and we ask you to honor that trust by supporting a Speaker selected by the Republican House Caucus majority.

Governor Abbott's Statement

The Governor said it perfectly on his X feed: "I worked this entire year to elect conservative candidates who will pass conservative laws, including school choice. To achieve that goal, we need a Texas House Speaker chosen by a majority of Republicans in accordance with the Republican Caucus Rules." – Governor Gregg Abbott

Commitment to Continued Communication

As Chairman, I remain committed to maintaining open and productive communication with both of you. It is my priority to work closely with our representatives to ensure that a strong conservative Republican Speaker is elected on January 14, 2024. Together, we can reinforce the values we share and ensure the Republican Party remains united in advancing the priorities of Texans.

The Nueces County Republican Party remains steadfast in our mission to hold our elected officials accountable and to uphold the conservative principles that guide our work at every level of government.

Sincerely,

Carmen A. Calderone Jr. Chairman, Nueces County Republican Party

And the following Members of the Nueces County Republican Party Executive Committee: