Texas Scorecard reported on June 11, 2024, House GOP Caucus Censures Four Members for Supporting Conservative Challengers. The caucus did not expel the members, but condemned their conduct “in the strongest terms.”
What is The Rule?
I quote from the Texas Scorecard report: Caucus rules prohibit members from endorsing against incumbents in what has been referred to as the “Incumbent Protection Program.”
The Incumbent Protection Program exists solely to hide the misdeeds of RINOs (Republicans In Name Only). I can understand a RINO like Dade Phelan wanting such a rule in place.
The censure was signed by the executive committee, which consists of State Reps. Tom Oliverson, Lacey Hull, Shelby Slawson, Jacey Jetton, and Jared Patterson. Tom Oliverson and Shelby Slawson are the two leading contenders for Speaker of the House for the 2025 Legislative Session.
KERA News reported on May 29, 2024, Texas House incumbents Justin Holland and Frederick Frazier come up short in Collin County runoffs
Excerpt from the KERA News report
Hollandcast some controversial votes last session. He voted in favor of a bill that would have raised the age to purchase assault rifles from 18 to 21 if passed. He also voted for impeaching Paxton and against Abbott’s school voucher program.
Abbott’s fight to pass what he calls “school choice” failed in the legislature — so he took it to the voting booth. He supported several primary challengers of incumbent Republicans who voted against school vouchers, including Pierson. Paxton endorsed Pierson before the March primary.
Holland faced backlash for his controversial votes. The Rockwall County Republican Party chapter condemned Holland on X social media before the March primary, saying he went against Republican priorities.
“He has grown increasingly unresponsive to voters and the Republican Party, especially over the last two legislative sessions,” the post said. “In doing so, he has insulted and belittled local Republican voters and your Rockwall County Republican Party.”
The Law of the Land
The Texas State Constitution, Article 3, Legislative Department, Section 8, stipulates “EACH HOUSE JUDGE OF QUALIFICATIONS AND ELECTION OF ITS MEMBERS; ELECTION CONTESTS. Each House shall be the judge of the qualifications and election of its own members; but contested elections shall be determined in such manner as shall be provided by law.”
The Incumbent Protection Program opposes state law. The obvious meaning of the law is the House members have a duty to expose unfaithful House members.
Looking Ahead
Tom Oliverson and Shelby Slawson vie for the position of House Speaker in the 2025 Legislature. We have questions that must be answered.
- Did either or both support Dade Phelan as Speaker?
- Did either or both vote to censure Representatives Brian Harrison, Nate Schatzline, Steve Toth, and Tony Tinderholt?
- A Dallas Morning News article describes Tom Oliverson as a Dade Phelan ally.
- Did either Tom Oliverson or Shelby Slawson oppose Democrat chairmanships?
I propose that the Incumbent Protection Program be stricken from the House Republican Caucus. I also remind all new members of the Texas House of Representatives that the Republican Caucus is not the supreme authority in Texas. As a constitutional Republican form of government, We, the People, are the top authority under God.
John White
Rockwall, Texas
Hard Republican since 1980
John N. White 