The Tarrant County Republican Party voted to censure State Rep. John McQueeney after a five-hour meeting Thursday night.
Attendees applauded and cheered after the county adopted the resolution by an 87-46-3 vote.
McQueeney did not attend. Vice Chairman Cary Cheshire confirmed that attorney Eric Opiela read a letter on McQueeney’s behalf as he was attending to legislative duties in Austin. In his letter to Bo French, McQueeney asked the county party to delay the vote, writing, “I do not support the resolution and believe it is disingenuous and full of deception.”
The county party claimed the freshman lawmaker violated three platform principles and two legislative priorities by supporting House Resolution 4 and Senate Bill 1.
When McQueeney seconded and voted for State Rep. Jared Patterson’s (R–Frisco) motion to end debate on the new House rules and then voted for the rules package, he purportedly violated Legislative Priority 4 to Ban Democrat Chairs and Priority 8 to End Federal Overreach.
The rules adopted allow standing subcommittees to appoint Democrat chairs. It also contains two new sections that mandate committee and House attendees not at the podium wear face masks, per federal health recommendations.
The resolution also explained that the legislator misled his constituents through texts and social media when stating, “I voted to ban Democrat Chairs.” In doing so, the group claims he violated Platform Principle 5 of personal accountability and responsibility.
The Tarrant GOP argued that their representative’s vote for the budget proposal in the House, which increased state spending and expanded government operations, while also voting against an amendment to audit Operation Lone Star, again violated Principle 5. They also alleged that such a vote contradicted Principles 4 and 9, which support a free enterprise society unencumbered by government interference or subsidies and limit government power to those items enumerated in the United States and Texas Constitutions.
Finally, the document explained that McQueeney abdicated personal responsibility and accountability by voting eight times for adjournments, each lasting longer than three days.
“For months, I have heard from grassroots activists [who are] frustrated the Texas House has prioritized Democrat bills and not delivered enough conservative policy,” Bo French wrote to Texas Scorecard. “Yesterday, our county executive committee sent a message to John McQueeney. If things do not change, I believe the grassroots will take further action to hold elected officials accountable.”
Republican Party of Texas Chairman Abraham George told Texas Scorecard that he had not seen the resolution outside of French’s announcement on social media, but that the State Republican Executive Committee will vote on it at its June 13-14 meeting.
If three-fifths of the body uphold the resolution, Chairman French and Chairman George may refuse McQueeney’s application for any office on the 2026 Republican primary ballot under Texas Republican Party Rule 44.
McQueeney did not respond to a request for comment before publication.
