Texas House District 66 Runoff to Contrast Conservative and Moderate Message

Posted by Taylor Team - Thu, March 04, 2010 at 11:44 AM

Taylor: “Conservatives will unite against Jackson’s moderate record and negative campaign of false, personal attacks”

(Plano, TX) – After months of a hard fought three-way primary, Plano Republicans voted Mabrie Jackson and Van Taylor into a runoff which will take place in six weeks, on April 13th.

This morning Taylor thanked his supporters and Wayne Richard for his positive campaign and conservative message. “First of all I want to thank all my supporters and grassroots team.  I also want to thank Wayne for his positive, issue-oriented campaign that focused on our shared conservative principles.  I enjoyed having another conservative on the campaign trail, and getting to know him well over the past several months.”

Mabrie 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%.

“Conservatives spoke last night with a clear majority and rejected Mabrie Jackson’s moderate record and campaign of false personal attacks.” Taylor continued.  “Plano Republicans deserve a true conservative to represent them in Austin.  Today I received numerous emails and phone calls from many of Wayne’s supporters upset about Mabrie’s negative campaign, concerned about her moderate record, and bothered about her Democrat ties which she has tried to conceal.” 
   
Mabrie Jackson has received much local scrutiny for turning the campaign negative in the final weeks. Her negative direct mail attacks on Richard and Taylor sparked strong public condemnation from Plano Republicans, while the Texas Tribune dubbed the race "Plano Mud Season". 

To fund the attacks, Jackson courted the support of many Austin Political Action Committees, many of whom have a well-known reputation for supporting democrats and liberal policies.  

Capitol Inside reported on February 1, 2010 that “[Jackson] has claimed key endorsements from education groups that typically side with Democrats in general election races and moderate Republicans in primary fights such as the Texas State Teachers Association and Texas Parent PAC.”

Taylor said, “As we work to continue building the momentum gathered over the last months of the campaign, I am confident that conservatives will unite against Jackson’s moderate record and negative campaign of false, personal attacks.”

Taylor has been endorsed by the Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, the Young Conservatives of Texas, Texas Alliance for Life, and Congressman Jeb Hensarling, and also shared support with Wayne Richard from local conservative clubs including the Coalition for Better Government and Collin County Conservative Republicans.  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.