Kennedy announces for Texas chair
Posted by punch bowl | Posted in CR federation elections, CR gossip | Posted on 22-10-2008
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Lance Kennedy has announced his candidacy for chairman of the Texas Federation of College Republicans. Kennedy has a Facebook group with 144 members, at the time this post is written. The platform Kennedy is running on is listed on the Facebook group:
After much thought and consideration I have decided to run for election as Chairman of the Texas Federation of College Republicans. This is not out of a desire to obtain political office or to add an extra line onto my resume. I am running because I feel that I am the only candidate that has the experience and leadership necessary to change TFCR for the better, and to make it a legitimate auxiliary organization of the Republican Party of Texas.
If elected I promise to:
1. Raise $20-50,000 in the first six months of office. I have raised $10,000 for a student government election at UT, imagine how much more we can raise together for TFCR. We need an experienced fund raiser as Chairman, and I am the only candidate that fits that description.
2. Consolidate TFCR and make all chapters feel welcome. For too long we have let petty things divide us; it is time to make a change in our policies. We must have an active chapter at every school in the State of Texas.
3. Transform TFCR from the organization that it is into a viable part of the GOP. Only a strong leader with connections at all levels of government can achieve this.
4. Help local chapters develop themselves by providing: funding, online resources, and speakers to help increase their presence on campuses.
5. Increase Texas’ prominence in CRNC by implementing reforms and raising significant amounts of capital for local chapters and elections. I want Texas to be THE most powerful state in the national convention, and I know you do too.
I have spoken with Charlie Smith, National Chairman of College Republicans National Committee, who supports these measures and believes that if implemented would improve TFCR significantly. Please join me in this endeavor by electing me as Chairman of the Texas Federation of College Republicans.
Kennedy claims to have the endorsements of the following current or former Texas College Republicans:
Justin Jordan-Fmr. TFCR Chairman
Andres Bocanegra-TFCR Vice Chairman/Pres. UTA CRs
Rachel Coolidge-TFCR VC of Chapter Relations
Brandon Lighton-TFCR VC of Chapter Development
Allison Miller-TFCR Treasurer
Nickole Heater-President UTEP College Republicans
Terry Duncan-President UTA College Republicans
Ryan D. Ellis-President UT College Republicans
Brian Miller-President A&M College Republicans
Tricia Ridenour-Secretary UTD College Republicans
Tory Sumrall-Fmr. TFCR Treasurer
Rachel Imbriale-Fmr. TFCR VC of Alumni Relations
From this list, it appears that many of the current state executive board members are supporting Kennedy. It will be interesting to see if current TFCR Chairman Ryan Murphy will seek re-election, considering that so many of his own executive board have endorsed his would-be opponent.
I’m pretty sure there is an election… you know… one where Republicans have a Presidential Candidate gasping for air and an atmosphere that we need to be working every minute to ensure we lose as few seat in the house and keep Democrats away from being fillibuster proof in the senate.
I’m sure Lance Kennedy is a nice guy, but if you are serious… you have some pretty miserable timing. Head over to Houston to help out Pete Olson… go try to take ciro rodriguez’ seat back… we have bigger fish to fry at the moment than a federation chairmanship… defend those incumbents… there has to be some vulnerable members even in Texas… jell go to your GOP HQ and see if they can talk to someone in PA, FL, or OH to fax you a call sheet.
Why would anybody announce this before the elections? There are much more important things to focus your time on right now.
Also, who would endorse someone that is running in October? Do these people just endorse the first person that decided to run or are there gonna be several candidates endorsed by the same people?
Bad timing. Bad decision making by the person running for chairman as well as those that currently served. This is very interesting.
The election is Nov. 8th, he needed to announce at this time. Chairman Murphy is not running for reelection.
Ditto on what Tory said. Bad decision making, you mean actually contacting people? Please.
I must be brutally honest, I don’t exactly understand why the commenters here have derided Lance in such a way – although the anonymous nature of the posts certainly gives some insight into possible motives.
Regardless of what may be happening at the national level, the Republican party, and its infrastructure, must proceed unfettered. The party, although cyclical in its contests, must continue throughout the year.
The election is on November 8th…what precisely did you expect of him? Perhaps the commenters, in their infinite wisdom, have the ability to vet a candidate in 96 hours, but I am not omniscient enough to do so.
The only thing that I see here is a myopic view of the process. I really don’t understand what was expected, and I think the commenters are either mistaken, or intellectually dishonest.
Visit Lance Kennedy’s website at: http://lancekennedy.com/
I have known Lance for several years and can say in all honesty that he is more than qualified for the position he seeks.
Kennedey’s choice to begin announcing his candidacy previous to November 4th demonstrates his aptitude and wherewithal as a candidate and leader.He understands the need to keep the ball rolling no matter the political climate so that the future of the GOP endures regardless of election results.
If NOV 4th or Anonymous had any substance to support their position, I’d like to hear it. As a two-time veteran at 22 years old, I can honestly say that both this announcement for candidacy, as well as the responses, are a perfect example of what is wrong with the skewed partisan outlook of today’s GOP.
While responders to this announcement have valid points – we as TFCRs need to continue building support for incumbent GOP members running on all political circuits throughout this great state – the value presented in Chairman of this Federation also holds a critical stake in the future of the GOP.
Take a look at the numbers from this year’s Presidential Election, pundits aside. The fact of the matter is, as TFCR members, WE are the incumbents to the future of the GOP. WE are the influencers that will mold and shape the views of our party, and WE have to steer the direction of those both new and tenured to the GOP in a critical time like this.
If there is anything to be learned from this historical step in American democracy, it is not simply that anyone can succeed on the national pedestal with the right force behind them. Moreover, it is that the momentum behind that force must come from the hearts and minds of those intently focused on the future of our nation.
As TFCR members, our leadership must be focused on the keys to success, stemmed from both ability to outreach, and views of what that outreach consists of.
I know that Mr. Kennedy doesn’t want this to be just another notch on his resume, but his experience as a young GOP member alone is enough to soundly and strategically lead the TFCR.
I fully support this announcement for Lance Kennedy as Chairman of the Texas Federation of College Republicans, and strongly encourage those with a like mindset to let their support be known as well.
Whether it’s a call list, or an encouraging vote of confidence on a webpage, it is our responsibility to move forward in agreement for this cause.