Taylor Earns Endorsement of a Majority of Local Republican Precinct Chairs;  Secures Key Endorsement

Posted by Taylor Team - Wed, March 17, 2010 at 07:24 AM

(Plano, TX) – In another indication of the growing momentum in his campaign, Van Taylor today announced the endorsement of 20 Republican Precinct Chairs in House District 66, including all six Republican precinct chairs that previously supported Wayne Richard during the primary. Taylor also announced the endorsement of the Collin County Conservative Republicans, one of the fastest-growing Republican organizations in the county.

“I worked hard campaigning for Wayne in the primary,” said Daniel Rudd, Republican Chair for Precinct 123 and former Richard supporter.  “Now it is imperative that conservatives rally around Van Taylor as the only true conservative in the race.  Mabrie Jackson is a moderate at best and her negative campaign has been funded by Austin lobbyists and special interest groups that are typically committed to electing Democrats.  Wayne Richard won my precinct in the primary and I look forward to working just as hard to deliver each of those Wayne votes to Van.”

Mary Carl Finkelstein, another former Richard supporter and Republican Precinct 107 Chair added, “The way Mabrie Jackson conducted herself during the final weeks of the campaign, I can’t imagine any Wayne supporters pulling the lever for her.  Her negative campaign and character assassination falsely attacked the true conservatives in order to hide her own moderate record.  Plano conservatives are smart enough to see through her mudslinging, and they are well aware of her moderate record during her partial term on Plano City Council, as well as the lineup of Austin special interest groups supporting and funding her campaign.”

These precinct chair endorsements come after Wayne Richard formally endorsed Taylor via a press release and email to his supporters.   Taylor now has the endorsement of a majority of local Republican precinct chairs.

Collin County Conservative Republicans Board Member Katherine Park said, “After supporting Wayne Richard, I am proud to announce my endorsement of Van Taylor – the only conservative remaining in this race.  Van Taylor has served his country as a U.S. Marine, and he will serve us well in Austin.   He ran an honorable campaign which focused on the issues, while Mabrie Jackson launched vicious, negative attacks that cheapened our political discourse.   I urge all supporters of Wayne to join me in helping to elect Van Taylor.”

Taylor said, “I am truly humbled by this outpouring of support.   Conservatives recognize the stark contrast and clear ideological differences facing Plano voters in the April 13 runoff election.  The momentum behind our campaign is building each day as conservatives across Plano are uniting to fight the moderate record and negative campaign tactics of the Jackson campaign.”

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 receiving 33.5% and Richard 25.5%.

Taylor has now earned the endorsement of every major conservative organization which has endorsed in this race including the Texans for Fiscal Responsibility PAC, Young Conservatives of Texas, Texas Right to Life, Texas Alliance for Life, Texas Home School Coalition, Conservative Republicans of Texas, Conservative Hispanic Society, and the Coalition for Better Government.  He has received an “A Rating” from the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association, and he is the only candidate in the runoff with the TeaApproved label from the North Texas Tea Party.

Conversely, Jackson has courted the support of many Austin Political Action Committees, some of whom, including the Texas State Teachers Association and Texas Parent PAC, have well-known reputations for supporting Democrats and liberal policies.

Full List of Current Republican Precinct Chairs in TX-66 Endorsing Van Taylor for Texas House District 66:

Tim Heeney, Precinct 15*
Michael Watson, Precinct 19
Dan Panetti, Precinct 28*
Carlos Amaral, Precinct 34
John Myers, Precinct 64
Gregory Knapp, Precinct 75*
Clyde Goodnight, Precinct 76*
Bobby Pelerose, Precinct 81
Mitch Easley, Precinct 86
Mary Carl Finkelstein, Precinct 107*
Peter Laws, Precinct 109
Jim Bright, Precinct 116
Shannon Burchett, Precinct 119
Mohamed Elibiary, Precinct 121
Daniel Rudd, Precinct 123*
Deinde Peters, Precinct 135
Mark Greer, Precinct 137
Thomas Harrison, Precinct 139
Eric Flores, Precinct 167
David Hall, Precinct 176

* Indicates former Wayne Richard supporter.

Taylor has been endorsed by the Texans for Fiscal Responsibility PAC, 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 is the only runoff candidate to earn 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 they 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.