Republican - What Does It Mean?

In Bastrop County, we have many people who claim to be Republicans when running for office, and yet, any other time of the year, you never hear about their Republican values. So let’s discuss what makes a Republican a Republican in the sense of politics.

When you are a member of the Republican Party, at the very minimum, people know your values, political knowledge, and most importantly, you vote in elections. In all my years of political participation, I have never known a Republican Party member or a Republican candidate who has not voted in an election. Ever! Every person I have encountered who called themselves a Republican was a registered voter and had voted at some point in their life.

Secondly, when you are a Republican candidate, you attend Republican Party meetings and not just when you decide to run, but several months or even years before you make that decision. You reach out to current and former Republican leaders and grassroots activists to see when meetings are scheduled and to find out how you can help advance the Republican Party Platform.

Additionally, Republican candidates are knowledgeable about the office they are running for, and even if they do not know every aspect of the office, they will make a point to learn about it as best as they can. This is easy for legislative offices, but for offices like the District Clerk, which covers a wide variety of legal issues, candidates should have extensive experience in the court system covering all aspects prior to running for the position. The District Clerk's office encompasses a wide range of cases from civil to criminal and tax cases, while also maintaining both current and historical records.

If you're a candidate, you should have taken part in some aspect of party politics—no exceptions. No excuses ever. If a candidate gives you excuses as to why they have not voted or participated in the party in some form or fashion, then beware that candidate. Republican candidates for specialized offices are knowledgeable and prepared to lead those offices with credibility as well as people management skills. They don’t have to shout their Republican values or write long pieces about themselves because they have already proven it to the community.

Many individuals in Bastrop County identify as Republicans, but it’s worth questioning whether they truly fit that description. If they don’t fulfill at least some of the criteria mentioned earlier, they are not the right choice for the role or a suitable candidate for Republican support.