 "Photo: Mike Paschal/The Daily Texan")
More than 25 Republican members of the Texas Legislature and conservative supporters gathered at the Four Seasons Hotel on Wednesday to announce the launch of GOPAC Texas, a political action committee that will strive to get more Republicans elected to the state Senate and House of Representatives.
“The goal of the organization is to recruit, train and fund Republican candidates to increase the number of Republicans in the state House and Senate,” said state Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford.
King is also the chair of the political action committee, which is the first state chapter of the national GOPAC organization. GOPAC was founded in 1979 by former Delaware Gov. Pete du Pont.
In February, King met with the leaders of the national organization and discussed creating the state organization.
“GOPAC has a tremendous history of success throughout the U.S.,” King said. “We’re just delighted to be affiliated with them.”
State Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, said that the two-vote majority lead in the Texas House is too small, and the group may help lessen the gap by supporting and recruiting new Republican candidates. The House is currently split closely at 76-74.
“We have a healthy state because of the Republican leadership we’ve had in recent years,” he said.
The group hopes to raise a target minimum of $4 million, which will go to help Republican candidates in Texas.
UT student organization Young Conservatives of Texas also endorsed the creation of the group, said Chairman Dustin Matocha.
“We are fully supportive of any effort to increase the number of conservatives in the Texas Legislature,” Matocha said.
Jessica B. Colón, chair of the Young Republican National Federation, said the foundation of the group comes at the perfect time.
“I know with GOPAC Texas we will have Republican wins in Texas in upcoming elections,” Colón said.
The group continues support incumbent Republicans, but the primary goal is winning new seats, King said.
“We’ll go out and solicit from like-minded people,” said Chad Wilbanks, former executive director of the Texas Republican Party. “People who believe in keeping Texas the number one place for business, wind energy and raising families.”
The group will research districts throughout Texas, identify target political races and talk to local Republican businesses in an effort to recruit optimal candidates to run for office.
King said the group will be an integral part of promoting the views of the Republican Party.
“If we’re going to effectively continue to promote enterprise and other mainstays of conservatism, then we need to increase the number of Republican officials in Texas,” King said.
