November 1 Bastrop County Conservatives held a candidate forum for those candidates who had already filed for state and local offices.
Preceding the forum, Lela Derr, State Operations Director for Senator Ted Cruz gave a quick intro on what sites to follow to get daily insight into what is happening on and to the conservative front. Those sites include:
- North Texas Citizens Lobby, which looks at all amendments to the state constitution as well as other issues,
- The Texas Minute gives a daily look at what is happening in Texas and what is happening on a national level that may affect us (part of The Texas Scorecard),
- The Daily Free email from Epoch Times.
Since Texas has introduced its Heartbeat Bill, other states have produced 106 new Pro-Life laws since January. Where many other Heartbeat Bills have not won in courts, the strength of the Texas bill has kept it intact. She also spoke on the Infrastructure Bill and the need to keep vigilant thoughts and prayers toward all congressional leaders for right decisions, but especially for the lone voice of reason in the liberal party, Rep. Joe Manchion.
Questions to Lela from attendees concerned mask mandates as well as the forensic audit and where we stand on the border. A question concerning the purchase of available land by the Chinese near Ft. Hood revealed that other state military posts are having land sold near them to entities that are fronts for Chinese companies and/or government. Senator Cruz has introduced legislation to help prevent this which is awaiting movement by the Senate Majority Leader! Sen. Cruz is concerned with fending off some potentially devastating bills and has not been able to push a more conservative agenda; however, he has co-sponsored more by-partisan legislature than any other senator, except for the Senate Minority Leader.
Kathy Glass from the True Texas Project announced the hosting of a Gubernatorial Debate in Houston on January 13. 6:30pm – 8pm at Grace Woodlands 24400 Interstate Hwy 45, The Woodlands, TX 77386. As of this date, we are uncertain if it will be live-streamed.
The candidate forum began with the two candidates who have currently filed for the State House Seat 17 that Rep. Cyrier will be vacating after this term. Jennifer Bezner (https://www.jenbezner.com) started the forum followed by Tom Glass (https://www.tomglass.org). Peter Hicks (https://www.hicksforbastrop.com) has thrown his hat in the ring for County Judge, while Leroy Ferril announced for Precinct 2 County Commissioner. Krystal Moncure Stabeno has been appointed to the vacant position of Justice of the Peace for Pct. 3 and will run as the incumbent JP. Krista Bartsch, current Assistant County Clerk, is the choice to replace outgoing County Clerk Rose Pietsch.
Co-Founder Mel Cooper thanked all candidates who attended and introduced Shann Turner who leads the Governmental Affairs committee. This committee will be providing recaps of City and County Government meetings as well as School Board meetings for submission to the Bastrop County Beacon for a quick run-down on what is happening in your area, and how it may or may not affect you.
Local action = National impact!