Tireless election integrity advocate Alan Vera passed away Thursday morning at the Texas Capitol, leaving family, friends, and colleagues devastated by his loss.
As he did most Thursdays, Alan had traveled from his Houston-area home to Austin to testify on election-related legislation in the House Elections Committee.
Members of the committee observed a moment of silence in Alan’s honor.
The Texas Senate also issued a resolution honoring Alan.
“Hearts are breaking across the state of Texas at the news of the passing of Alan Vera this morning,” Harris County resident Kelly Horsley posted online. “Wonderful man, patriot and friend. Well done, soldier. Well done.”
Alan was known as a fearless leader and faithful ally dedicated to God, family, and country—and fighting for safe and secure elections.
He was rightfully proud of his service as a U.S. Army Airborne Ranger from 1970-1974, for which he received multiple awards and unit citations. He often sported a Ranger cap or U.S. Army necktie.
Alan and his wife Colleen became election integrity activists after working at the polls in Harris County in the late 2000s.
They began volunteering their time to recruit and train poll workers, investigate and report voting irregularities, and research and promote laws to improve election processes.
In 2014, Alan was appointed chair of the Harris County GOP Ballot Security Committee. He quickly became an election-reform powerhouse at the local and state level.
“Today, we lost a titan,” said HCGOP Chair Cindy Siegel.
Alan’s life was dedicated to selfless service, as seen from his time in the military, to working tirelessly towards getting Republicans elected and doing everything in his power to ensure elections across the nation are safe and secure through education and advocacy.
At the Texas Capitol, he was always the first in the building and the last to leave as he devoted countless hours to testifying before the House and Senate, meeting with legislators, and speaking with other activists to push for election integrity legislation.
Alan was a fearless leader, and his passing leaves a hole in our Party that no one will ever fill.
“Most importantly, he was a husband, father, and grandfather to a family that adored him,” she added.
Alan’s peers acknowledged his dedication to grassroots activism with several accolades, including a Conservative Leader Award in 2018 and a Harris County GOP Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022.
In addition to political activism, Alan and Colleen recently took on a new project: fostering rescued puppies.
Alan loved posting puppy pictures on Facebook, along with sometimes-spicy memes—many featuring military themes.
One of Alan’s most-shared quotes came from Winston Churchill: “We sleep safely at night because rough men stand ready to visit violence on those who would harm us.”
Alan was one of those rough men.
“Alan always said he gives all the credit for whatever good he’s accomplished to Almighty God,” Siegel said. “We will miss him and cherish his memory always.”
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23
