Primary Elections Really Do Matter
I’ve spent many years working in the public and private sector which required me to refrain from expressing certain personal views on politics and candidates. Especially local candidates. Now I work for myself and am at an age where I’m no longer bothered by what people think of my opinions! I’m sure there’s many more of you who feel the same way! So, keep raising your voice for what you believe in!
Here is just one very strong opinion I have about primary elections-supporting a candidate just because they are challenging an incumbent is not reason enough to support someone! Please remember - a challenger can say whatever they want (and will) to get your vote! They have no track record to run on or to run from!
On the other hand, the incumbent has had to make a lot of very difficult decisions all of which can and will be criticized by his or her opponents!
I would also ask every voter to look at the most important decisions that have been made by an incumbent. If the majority of them align with your values - then why vote them out? I’m reminded of President Ronald Reagan’s famous quote, “The person who agrees with you 80% of the time is a friend and an ally, not a 20% traitor!”
Maybe you’ve been influenced by a glitzy political ad telling you it’s time to “throw all the bums out” or it’s simply “time for a change.” Those are not good reasons. Also, remember no one is perfect and no elected official will vote “your way” or make decisions “your way” all the time. Someone very wise once said to me, “If you want an elected official that thinks exactly like you do then there’s only one person like that ….and it’s you!” So, unless you or I are willing to run for office, we need to realize that no politician will ever fully measure up to our individual standards.
Do your homework! Don’t just take someone else’s word for it. Don’t just listen to the political Ad’s! Most of these have a grain of truth and a lot of opinion. Look at voting records and actions. For me, one of the most important decisions our leaders had to make over the past two years was whether to keep our county/state open during the pandemic. I, for one, am very grateful to those who chose freedom and kept our businesses open during this difficult time. It’s not easy serving in elected office. You get pulled in all directions.
More concerning, could it be that the challenger just might be worse than the incumbent? We don’t know. It’s a crap shoot! As the old adage goes, “Be careful not to jump out of the frying pan into the fire!”
We have several races on our Republican ballot that include primary challengers.
Please take some time to thoughtfully consider the consequences of electing someone who may say a lot of nice things but has no record to back it up!
On the other hand- if you think your incumbent has not made the right decisions then it is obviously the right time for you to vote for someone else.
Primaries are a great opportunity for Republicans to re-evaluate their elected leaders. Some, who have violated their oath of office or been reckless or corrupt in their elected position, definitely need to go. Others - those who have proven themselves and maintained their honor and integrity deserve our vote for re-election!
We are very blessed as Texans to live in a ‘Red’ state! But sometimes this blessing may become a curse when we turn our guns on each other! We need to remember who our main opponent(s) really are. They are the leftist whose values and priorities are more and more opposite of what we, as conservatives hold dear.
Choose wisely! And, when it’s all over, let’s circle the wagons in support of our Republican primary winners and make sure we elect Republicans across the county and the state!
Lynn Haueter is the Bandera County Republican Party Chair. This column does not necessarily represent the opinion of the Bandera County Republican Party.