Burnt Orange Report

Tina Benkiser Remains Texas GOP Chair

By Byron LaMasters

I guess the whole Roy Moore thing didn't do it for Gina Parker, although I think her losing had more to do with the fact that she is a trial lawyer. And among GOP activists, trial lawyers tend to rank up there with abortionists, homosexuals and feminists on the totem pole. Anyway, the San Antonio Express News has the low-down:

A fight to lead Texas' Republican Party ended today when Gina Parker of Waco conceded to Chairwoman Tina Benkiser of Houston on the second day of the state GOP convention.

Parker said she would stand behind Benkiser, who was elected to keep the post, and turn her attention to the work she says the GOP has to do.

"We truly are ... at a crossroads in America. There is a war that's being waged for the soul of our nation and the hearts of our children," Parker said, adding later, "My boots are made for walking all over Democrats and re-electing George W. Bush."

Benkiser, with re-elected party Vice Chairman David Barton, vowed a commitment to re-electing President Bush and sending GOP members to Congress.

[...]

Both are considered conservative and share similar views on key issues. But Parker, in campaigning against Benkiser, had said she wanted to see the party take stronger public stands.

"Just recently in regard to the gambling issue, the state party was stunningly silent, and as a candidate, I came out and took a very strong position against gambling as a means of financing schools," Parker said.

The incumbent focused on her experience, saying she had been elected repeatedly to party leadership positions by the grass roots and had proven her ability. She said she had talked with elected officials by phone on the gambling issue, saying on such issues the first approach is to "try to persuade them rather than waging a media campaign."

So, the more moderate candidate won. That is a rarity in a Texas GOP race. But the arguement seemed to be less about issues and more about approach.

Free State Standard has some comments on the race as well.