Montgomery County Republican Chair Wally Wilkerson’s 53-year reign could soon be coming to an end. Longtime Republican activist Terrence Boggs officially filed to run for chair on Monday, giving Wilkerson his first challenge in over ten years.

The 87-year-old incumbent is the longest serving chair in Texas history, having first taken office in 1964. While many Republicans appreciate Wilkerson’s contribution to the GOP in its formative days, he has faced pressure to retire in recent years. Once dubbed “King Wally” by GOP strategist Karl Rove, Wilkerson is a leftover from the old-guard, establishment, George Bush faction of the Republican Party and has become increasingly disconnected from the party’s base with each decade in office.

Ruling the party with a heavy hand, Wilkerson has attempted to shut down meetings if he thinks a vote will not go his way and has actively worked to kill conservative resolutions on property tax cuts and toll roads. Wilkerson also punishes conservative precinct chairs who do not tow his establishment line, inciting challengers against them and working to undermine them in their precincts – hindering the party’s ability to function.

Most recently, Wilkerson came under fire for handing a seat on The Woodlands township to a Democrat, refusing to assist the Republican because she had previously ran against one of his establishment friends.

Boggs believes he can reverse this trend and says the party needs to step up its efforts to make sure the Democrats don’t win again.

“Montgomery County is changing quickly,” said Boggs. “We need some new strategies to offset what the Democrats are doing.”

Boggs previously served as a precinct chair in Harris County and has been training precinct chairs for many years. He is currently a 5th grade science teacher at Meyer Elementary School.

“I just desire to do my best to serve the people of Montgomery County and help grow our Republican base and keep it solid.”

Reagan Reed

Reagan Reed is the East Texas Correspondent for Texas Scorecard. A homeschool graduate, he is nearing completion of his Bachelor’s Degree in History from Thomas Edison State College. He is a Patriot Academy Alumni, and is an Empower Texans Conservative Leader Award recipient.

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