Pledges to 5 core principals and to unite conservatives
AUSTIN – On the eve of the “Tea Party” movement’s anniversary, conservative legislators in Texas have banded together to form a new organization – the Independent Conservative Republicans of Texas. With conservative voters organizing like never before to protest the unprecedented overreaching intrusion of the federal government, voters need to know there are Republican legislators who share their beliefs and will uphold their principals.
The group was founded on five core principles each member has committed to uphold:
• Stand for conservative principals and to put people before Party.
• Fiscally accountable, limit the size of government, and fight for free market principles.
• Protect our borders and to support a strong military.
• Protect life, support strong family values, and uphold the Judeo-Christian beliefs our nation was founded upon.
• Honor the Constitution and protect the sovereign rights of Texas.
“We are all proud members of the Republican Party and will remain so. However, this organization provides us with accountability outside of our political party,” the group’s founder Sen. Dan Patrick (R-Houston) remarked. “We recognize we are first and foremost accountable to the people who elected us. We have dedicated ourselves to these core principals and have said ‘this is who we are and this is how we will legislate,’” Sen. Patrick concluded.
“We're joining together to say test us, try us, hold us accountable. We mean it when we pledge to defend limited government, individual liberties and free enterprise,” remarked Rep. Phil King (R-Weatherford).
“The voters placed their trust in us because we share their values and priorities, and we have a responsibility to govern according to those principles,” Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Lewisville) added.
"With increased awareness of the citizens expressing their desire to be involved, it is exciting to be a part of this movement to accept the challenge of bringing our state and nation back to the conservative, godly heritage of our founding fathers,” Rep. Dan Flynn (R-Van) offered.
"I am proud of our State's efforts over the past few years that have led to financial stability, budget surpluses and limited government spending. Unfortunately, Washington, D.C. has not demonstrated this type of fiscal restraint. What is worse is that fact that our U.S. Congress has passed many laws to coerce the states to comply with federal laws and regulations, which I believe is in violation of the 10th Amendment. The Independent Conservative Republicans will fight to uphold state's rights to keep Congress from forcing its problematic policies on us and encourage Washington to look to Texas as an example and follow our lead," Rep. Ken Paxton (R-McKinney) remarked.
"The Tenth Amendment is the foundation of the Constitution."
- Thomas Jefferson
Additional information may be found on the group’s website at www.ICRepublicans.com
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Editor’s Note: Mike Huckabee will dedicate part of his nationally syndicated radio program to this subject on Monday morning. Station info here: http://radio.mikehuckabee.com/.
Founding Members
Texas Senators
Sen. Bob Deuell
Sen. Robert Duncan
Sen. Kevin Eltife
Sen. Craig Estes
Sen. Troy Fraser
Sen. Chris Harris
Sen. Glenn Hegar
Sen. Joan Huffman
Sen. Mike Jackson
Sen. Jane Nelson
Sen. Robert Nichols
Sen. Dan Patrick
Sen. Kel Seliger
Sen. Florence Shapiro
Texas Representatives
Rep. Doc Anderson
Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock
Rep. Leo Berman
Rep. Bill Callegari
Rep. Warren Chisum
Rep. Wayne Christian
Rep. Tom Craddick
Rep. Brandon Creighton
Rep. Myra Crownover
Rep. Drew Darby
Rep. John Davis
Rep. Rob Eissler
Rep. Gary Elkins
Rep. Allen Fletcher
Rep. Dan Flynn
Rep. Kelly Hancock
Rep. Rick Hardcastle
Rep. Linda Harper-Brown
Rep. Will Hartnett
Rep. Charlie Howard
Rep. Bryan Hughes
Rep. Todd Hunter
Rep. Jim Jackson
Rep. Phil King
Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt
Rep. Lois Kolkhorst
Rep. Jodie Laubenberg
Rep. Ken Legler
Rep. Tyron Lewis
Rep. Jerry Madden
Rep. Sid Miller
Rep. Geanie Morrison
Rep. Rob Orr
Rep. John Otto
Rep. Tan Parker
Rep. Ken Paxton
Rep. Larry Phillips
Rep. Debbie Riddle
Rep. Ralph Sheffield
Rep. Larry Taylor
Rep. Randy Weber
Rep. Beverly Woolley
Rep. John Zerwas
