Mar 23, 2010
Collin County Republican Party 8416 Stacy Rd., McKinney, TX 75070 972-540-5985 Fred N. Moses, County Chair
IN MEMORY OF DENISE SHORT SMITH
The Collin County Republican Party is sad to announce the passing of longtime volunteer Denise Short Smith, who died suddenly on Thursday of a heart attack.
Collin County GOP Chairman Fred Moses said, “We are shocked and saddened at the sudden passing of Denise. She was a very special person who had a heart of service to her many friends and the causes in which she believed. Her death is a great loss to the party that she loved, and we will miss her dearly.”
Denise was the Legislative Chair for the Plano Republican Women, and was a gifted and talented writer. In fact, late in life she had returned to school to pursue her passion for writing, earning a Degree in Public Relations/Journalism from the University of North Texas. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a 3.95 GPA. Other academic honors and awards earned by Denise throughout her life included: Mayborn Writers Award; Outstanding Public Relations/Journalism Student Award; Member of Kappa Tau Alpha National Honor Society of Mass Communication and Journalism; Recipient of Journalism Department’s Kenneth May Memorial Scholarship for academic excellence and community and university service; Member Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society; English Department Faculty’s Outstanding Student Award (two-time honoree); Colorado State Merit Scholarship and President’s Merit Scholarship; and Dean’s List and President’s List.
Catherine Gibb, President of the Plano Republican Women (PRW), said “Denise was one of my dear friends and a true Southern lady. She loved this country and was a true patriot. She had a heart as big as Texas and always had time for her friends. We trusted one another and I always knew she ‘had my back.’ I will miss her, but she will live on in our hearts and memories.”
Denise Laman was active in PRW for many years with Denise Short and considered her a very close friend. Ms. Laman was also one of the last people to talk to her. “Denise worked to find common ground and had a talent for bringing people together. She loved the military and had a huge network of military servicemen and women whom she supported and encouraged. I’ve lost a dear friend, and our party has lost one of the hardest-working grass roots activists I’ve ever known.”
Linda Schenck, V.P. of Membership for PRW and Vice Chairman of Collin County GOP, said “Denise has worked on every campaign since the 1980’s. I will miss Denise because she was always there when needed, worked for the most conservative candidates, and never held a grudge against anyone. Anytime I went to an event, I always looked for her, and that’s why it’s hard to imagine that I won’t see her again.”
Diana Dail, President of the Collin County Conservative Republicans, said “Denise was a friend and one of the most passionate women I knew. She loved her country, the military, and the Republican Party. She will be truly missed.”
Throughout years of service to the Collin County Republican Party, Denise volunteered for countless candidates and officeholders. Most recently, Denise had been on the staff of the Van Taylor Campaign for State Representative. Denise Laman noted, “She loved working for people she believed in, and it is so fitting that one of the last things she was doing on Thursday was walking door to door on behalf of her candidate.”
Denise was also involved in causes outside of the political realm, as an Ambassador for the Plano Symphony Orchestra, volunteering at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, and providing educational presentations to the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary. A staunch supporter of the military, she served as USAF colonel’s liaison and facilitated support groups in a Red Cross/U.S. Air Force joint health initiative.
Funeral services are pending, but we will provide that information when it becomes available. In the meantime, we honor and remember fondly the life of Denise Short Smith, our friend and fellow warrior in the Republican Party.
Mar 20, 2010
If you don't like walking in the rain and still want to help today, we have our phone bank set up and ready to go. Call the campaign at (972) 369-2504 and we'll let you know where to meet!
Mar 19, 2010
We will be knocking on doors both Saturday and Sunday of this weekend and would love to have your help! Even if you can only come out for a couple hours, it would very much be appreciated! The details are as follows:
Dates: Saturday, March 20 and Sunday, March 21
Start Time: Saturday at 10 AM, Sunday at 1 PM (if you can’t make either of these times, just give me a call and we will get you set up!)
Meeting Location: Cheyenne Park, 2501 Mission Ridge Rd., Plano
If you can make it at any point over the weekend, please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call (972) 369-2504 to RSVP.
Mar 18, 2010
We are just over three weeks out from the runoff election on April 13th. Will you please take a moment to sign up for email updates from the campaign?
Please click here to sign up today.
Mar 17, 2010
(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.
Mar 16, 2010
This Republican runoff contrasts a stark difference in ideology and it is important that we remind Plano voters to get back to the polls. With a critically important legislative session beginning in January, we need to make sure we have a conservative voice representing us in Austin to keep government small, taxes low, and our family values strong.
You can help by starting early to remind your friends and neighbors that there is an important Republican runoff election on April 13th. EVERY VOTE WILL COUNT!
Early Voting for the Republican Runoff election is:
Monday, April 5 - Friday, April 9
Election Day is:
Tuesday, April 13th
Please help by spreading the word about the runoff election, and thanks for all of your help with our campaign!
Mar 15, 2010
Some action photos from a great couple who are working hard to get the word out about our campaign!
Mar 11, 2010
We will be knocking on doors and walking neighborhoods both Saturday and Sunday of this weekend and would love to have your help! Even if you can only come out for a couple hours, it would very much be appreciated! The details are as follows:
Dates: Saturday, March 13 and Sunday, March 14
Start Time: Saturday at 10 AM, Sunday at 1 PM
Meeting Location: Cheyenne Park, 2501 Mission Ridge Rd., Plano
If you can make it at any point this weekend, please call (972) 369-2504 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). We look forward to seeing you this weekend!
Mar 10, 2010
Clear Conservative/Moderate Contrast Emerges in Runoff
(Plano, TX) – Van Taylor, Republican candidate for State Representative in House District 66, today announced that he has received the endorsement of the Texas Right to Life PAC.
“Texas Right to Life PAC is proud to endorse Van Taylor for State Representative,” said Dr. Joseph Graham, Texas Right to Life President. “Van shares Texas Right to Life’s belief that we must defend all innocent human life from the moment of fertilization until natural death. We are confident that Van Taylor will be a principled, consistent voice for the unborn. His opponent did not fill out our questionnaire or meet with us.”
In accepting the endorsement, Taylor said “I am so honored to receive the Texas Right to Life endorsement, and look forward to working with them to promote a culture of life in Texas.”
Texas Right to Life is the oldest, largest, and only statewide pro-life organization in Texas solely dedicated to defending the right to life of all persons from the moment of fertilization until natural death.
This endorsement continues a string of conservative endorsements earned by Taylor, who has emerged as the clear choice for conservatives in the April 13th runoff. Last Friday, Taylor was endorsed by Wayne Richard, who earned 25% of the vote on March 2, stating “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 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.
Mar 08, 2010
We want to prove that Van is the only candidate with true local support from conservatives like you. Publicly endorse Van today by clicking here to share your reason for supporting Van!
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.
Mar 04, 2010
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.
