As the Republican Party of Texas’ biennial convention in San Antonio quickly approaches, both chairman candidates are continuing to roll out endorsements ahead of the vote next week.
The race pits current RPT Chairman James Dickey against challenger Cindy Asche. Dickey, who previously served as the chairman for the Travis County GOP, took the reins of the state party last summer after then-chairman Tom Mechler abruptly resigned, leaving the position vacant.
During his time leading the party, Dickey has managed to corral a large swath of endorsements from current members of the State Republican Executive Committee. 26 members of the SREC are listed on his campaign website.
Dickey has also gained the endorsements of a number of conservative lawmakers, including State Sens. Bob Hall (Edgewood) and Bryan Hughes (Mineola) and State Reps. Tony Tinderholt (Arlington) and Jonathan Stickland (Bedford).
Even President Donald Trump recognized Dickey and his work for the party during a recent fundraiser in Dallas.
Thank you so much to @realDonaldTrump for the kind words tonight! @TexasGOP #maga #leadright #resultsmatter
— James R. Dickey (@jamesdickey) June 1, 2018
In addition to endorsements from elected officials, Dickey has also touted the endorsement of hundreds of RPT delegates, as well as the endorsements of grassroots organizations across the state, such as the NE Tarrant Tea Party and Grassroots America: We The People.
Asche has also released endorsements as well, albeit a more modest amount, largely expected for a non-incumbent candidate.
Asche has earned the endorsements of several officers of the Texas Federation of Republican Women, as well as current Republican National Committeewoman Toni Anne Dashiell.
Her campaign also touts the support of Kelly Shackelford, the leader of the Liberty Institute, for whom she has served on the board.
Many of Asche’s endorsements, however, lean towards the party’s establishment wing. Tom Mechler, the former RPT replaced by Dickey, has been a loud voice for Asche’s campaign.
Recent campaign finance filings also show Asche carrying the support of Norman Adams. Founder of Texans for Sensible Immigration Policy, Adams has been one of the RPT’s staunchest proponents of illegal immigration, supporting the resurrection of the short-lived Texas Solution amnesty plank in the party platform.
Adams was so aggressive in his advocacy for the Texas Solution that he pushed and shoved a number of citizens to such an extent he was escorted away from delegates by police.
Additionally, Asche has also announced the endorsements of 14 members of the SREC.
The only endorsements that will, ultimately, matter for both candidates are the votes they receive during the convention next week, when delegates will vote for their choice to lead the party during their Senate District Caucus meetings.
James Dickey’s endorsements may be viewed here.
Cindy Asche’s endorsements may be viewed here.
While Texans for Fiscal Responsibility has not endorsed in this race, both candidates were invited to answer a questionnaire for grassroots activists to evaluate. Both candidates’ responses may be viewed here.
