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Mar 08, 2010

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Wayne Richard Endorses Fellow Conservative Van Taylor in TX-66 Runoff

Mar 05, 2010

(Plano, TX) – Van Taylor, conservative candidate for Texas House District 66, was endorsed today by former primary competitor Wayne Richard.   Richard, who had campaigned with Taylor advocating on conservative principles, urged all his supporters to rally to Taylor saying conservatives need to unite with Taylor and fight the moderate message and the negative campaign of false, personal attacks launched by the Jackson campaign.

“Although Van and I fought a hard battle in the primary, we always practiced civility and a level of professionalism throughout the process,” said Richard.  “As you know, my heart has always been focused on forwarding the conservative movement.  Now we must ensure the best candidate is elected to office.  Van is the best candidate in the runoff for House District 66 to ensure our conservative principles are represented in Austin, and I encourage my supporters to get behind his candidacy.”

Taylor and Richard both ran on a conservative platform and earned shared support from local conservative clubs including the Coalition for Better Government and the Collin County Conservative Republicans.  They were also both TeaApproved by the North Texas Tea Party.

“Campaigning with Wayne over these last couple of months has been a real privilege,” said Taylor. “Wayne ran a spirited, positive grassroots campaign on a conservative platform. I'm proud to call Wayne a friend and valued conservative voice.”

The Richard endorsement sets up a stark contrast between conservative Van Taylor, who has earned key conservative endorsements, and Mabrie Jackson, who has courted and received the support of Austin Political Action Committees such as the Texas State Teachers Association and Texas Parent PAC, groups with well-known reputations for supporting Democrats and liberal policies.  

Jackson gathered 41% of the 13,682 votes cast.  However, the two conservatives and Tea Party Approved candidates, Taylor and Richard, split the remaining 59%, with Taylor earning 33.5% and Richard 25.5%.

Taylor has been endorsed by the Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, the Young Conservatives of Texas, Texas Alliance for Life, and Congressman Jeb Hensarling.  He has received an “A Rating” from the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association, been certified as pro-life by the Texas Right to Life, and has earned the TeaApproved label from the North Texas Tea Party.

A successful businessman, decorated Marine Officer, and lifelong conservative, Van married Anne after his return from Iraq and are the proud parents of Laura, 5, Helen, 4, and four-month old Susie.  Van and his family reside in Plano near the land which his great-grandfather farmed during the Great Depression.

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