In a move intended to send a clear message to establishment Republicans who obstruct conservative priorities and the party platform, the executive committee of the Polk County Republican Party voted unanimously to approve a resolution calling for the official censure of State Rep. Byron Cook (R-Corsicana).
Citing numerous examples where Cook has violated the values of the Republican Party and stood in the way of passing legislation in line with the party platform, the resolution calls upon the Republican parties in Cook’s district to begin the censure process outlined in the Republican Party of Texas’ Rule 44.
Rule 44 allows a county party with a 2/3 vote to officially censure a Republican elected official. The party must cite at least three examples of the official violating the core principles of the party. Censure by a county GOP can lead to the office holder being penalized by the state party.
Polk County Chairman Fred Grube expressed frustration over the Republican controlled House’ inability to pass Republican legislation:
“We have enough Republicans already if they’d just do what they’re supposed to do. We’d rather not help you elect more Republicans like Byron Cook. That’s the good thing about censure when done officially through party mechanisms such as rule 44: we won’t have to.”
The resolution blasted Cook for killing pro-life bills, working to water down the anti-sanctuary cities law, and having a citizen drug out of his committee and arrested just for filming a public hearing.
The movement to censure Cook is gaining traction in his own district, even though a recent censure resolution in Hill County was steamrolled by an establishment-friendly county chair.
“With this resolution, we are putting Republicans on notice,” said Polk County Resolutions Committee Chair Frank Hernandez “We know what you’re doing, and we’re not going to stand for it.”
