CR Nation

AUSTIN – The Texas College Republicans held their State Convention at the State Capitol in Austin on March 28. The organization reflected on the past accomplishments of the administration, which took office in November 2008, while continuing to look ahead to the future of the group as a whole. Among these past accomplishments has been the vastly improved fundraising since November. Another accomplishment has been the growth of the organization with new chapters at Texas Tech, St. Mary’s University, Texas-Permian Basin, and Angelo State among others. This year’s convention saw four times as many attendees as the State Convention held in Austin in April 2008.

Resolutions were passed in the opening business session. These included recognizing the Travis Co Republican Party for their assistance to the Central Region in holding their Regional Meeting. Texas College Republicans also unanimously voice their disapproval of the President’s decision to repeal the Mexico City Policy at the beginning of his term in office. Lastly, the organization passed a resolution that would direct Regional Vice Chairs and the Communications Director to develop and implement a plan to begin recruitment at the high school level. This would allow for graduating high school seniors who are Republican, know that there is an organization for them to join when they begin their post-secondary career. It would connect them with the chapters at universities and colleges across the state that they may have applied to.

Speakers included Moshe Starkman, creator and founder of YRNetwork.com, who spoke on understanding and making the best utilization of new technologies and social networking platforms. Also, Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams addressed the convention about principles of the Republican party and a disapproval of liberal policies being pursued by the current President. He also spoke out against the rising of the corporate tax rate, which is the second highest among industrialized nations, saying that a lower tax rate would promote overall economic growth. Lastly, Daniel Crocker of Students for Concealed Carry on Campus spoke on the push for concealed carry legislation that would allow students to carry firearms on campus for protection against what he termed “madmen” similar to those at Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois. He said that students “lack a basic right” by not being allowed to carry a concealed firearm for their defense.

Elections of officers were held and Chairman Lance Kennedy (Texas) was reelected as Chairman, Nickole Heater (Texas-El Paso) was elected as Vice Chairwoman in the only contested race against Teddy Collins, Geoffrey Tahuahua (St. Mary’s) was elected State Secretary, and Ryan Pitts (SMU) was reelected State Treasurer. Chairman Kennedy then appointed Frank Carni II (Texas-San Antonio) as Executive Director, Andres Bocanegra (Texas-San Antonio) as Communications Director, Jim Betancourt as Political Director, Eugene Cook (SMU) as Technology Director, Clint Peterson (North Texas) as Campus Activism Director, Matt Foster (Texas-Arlington) for Military Affairs, Erick Martin for Outreach, Teddy Collins (Blinn) as Recruitment Director, Hunter Hayes (Texas) as Internal Affairs Director, and Amanda Wilkinson (Texas-San Antonio) as Archives Director.

The slate of Regional Vice Chairs include, Josh Bart (Texas-San Antonio) reelected as South RVC, Colt Ables (Texas-Arlington) elected as North RVC, Geoffrey Geiger (Texas) reelected as Central RVC, Jacqueline Giroir (Texas A&M) elected as East Texas RVC, and Remmington Sutton (Texas Tech) elected as West Texas RVC.