Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) earlier today praised State Representatives-elect Cindy Burkett R-Mesquite Jim Landtroop R-Plainview Charles Perry R-Lubbock David Simpson R-Longview and Kenneth Sheets R-Dallas for their endorsements of Rep. Ken Paxton R-McKinney in the race for Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.
Despite strong-arm tactics by Speaker Straus and his leadership team these five freshmen representatives showed courage in recognizing that Ken Paxton stands on solid conservative principles and in endorsing him for Speaker of the Texas House" remarked
Tony McDonald YCT Senior Vice Chairman.
It is clear these leaders respect the wishes of their constituents. Having heard the call from the electorate to push forward a conservative agenda during the next legislative session they have stepped out to acknowledge that such an agenda is put at risk by the liberal leadership of Speaker Joe Straus and would be secured by the conservative leadership of Ken Paxton" McDonald said.
Perry and Simpson defeated long-time Republican incumbents Delwin Jones and Tommy Merritt respectively in the Republican Primary. Jones and
Merritt were close allies of Speaker Straus and were part of the original group of 11 Republicans who joined with Democrats last session to elect Straus.
Jones and Merritt were widely considered by conservative groups to be two of the most liberal Republicans in the Texas House. Burkett Landtroop and Sheets defeated Democratic Representatives Robert Miklos Joe Heflin and Allen Vaught respectively in the November general election.
All five representatives-elect earned YCTs endorsement in their respective races.
We were thoroughly impressed with Cindy Burkett Jim Landtroop Charles Perry David Simpson and Kenneth Sheets when we decided to endorse them" explained McDonald.
We knew they were a new breed of statesmen; entering politics not to make friends but to make Texas a better state. The grassroots are proud that they have fulfilled the promise we saw in them and we look forward to more courageous conservative leadership when these five leaders go to Austin" said McDonald.
Young Conservatives of Texas issues endorsements to the most conservative candidates across Texas. The group examines candidates through questionnaires and in-depth interviews before the members come together to deliberate and pick the most qualified conservative in each race.
