Texas GOP Lawmakers Threaten to “Censure” Fellow Republicans Who Opposed RINO Incumbents in the Runoff Elections

Two months removed from the runoff elections, the Texan GOP faces a tremendous divide. Three republican state representatives, who endorsed or donated to grassroot candidates, rather than incumbents, are threatened with “censure” by their own party. 

This schism within the Texan GOP mirrors the polarity in the broader American republican party. Critics believe that republican officeholders have shifted to the left, assuming moderate stances on many issues, including gun legislation.

In this past election cycle, dozens of traditionally conservative grassroots candidates have surfaced to oppose these moderate, “RINO” officeholders. Their campaigns shouldered the hopes of the remaining conservative party to shift republicanism back to the right.

Jeff Cason (R-Bedford)

“This whole issue is about the Incumbent Protection Program. If you dare exercise your First Amendment right to oppose Republican members who oppose conservative policies, they will ‘censure’ you,” said State Rep. Jeff Cason (R-Bedford), in an article by Texas Scorecard.

The three officeholders facing threats of “censure” by the TX House Republican Caucus include state representatives Cason, Ben Leman (R-Anderson) and Steve Toth (R-Woodlands), according to a recent investigative report by The Texan

Each of these representatives supported grassroot candidates in the recent election cycle, angering the Texan House GOP and allegedly violating sections 7.09 and/or 7.10 of the caucus bylaws, which forbid financially or otherwise assisting in a caucus opponent’s campaign.

State Rep. Cason contributed $2 thousand dollars to grassroot candidate Mike Olcott’s campaign, who lost in the runoff election to incumbent State Rep. Glenn Rogers (R-Mineral Wells). 

Additionally, Cason donated to the campaigns of Lynn Stucky (R-Sanger) and Reggie Smith (R-Van Alstyne), who opposed State Rep. Stephanie Klick (R-Fort Worth). Both grassroots challengers lost their races to Klick, who advanced from the runoff election and will be on the ballot in November.

Ben Leman (R-Anderson)

State Rep. Leman endorsed, campaigned for and donated to new challenger Ben Bius, who lost his race to incumbent State Rep. Kyle Kacal (R-Huntsville). State Rep. Toth also endorsed Bius

Kacal was dubbed the “most liberal republican in the Texas House” by Texas Scorecard for siding with democrats and working against conservative reforms. 

Steve Toth (R-Woodlands)

Following May’s runoff elections, all three representatives face the wrath of the Texas House GOP Caucus. The executive committee recommended Cason, Leman and Toth be censured and expelled from the caucus for the remainder of the 87th legislative session, which will run through 2023.

However, the caucus decision to prosecute these representatives is not unanimous. State Rep. Bryan Slaton (R-Royse City) expressed outrage toward its executive committee, declaring his intention to vote against the recommended censure.

“I find it incredibly disappointing and wrong that while Texas Democrats were holding their state convention and strategizing on how to defeat us in November, the leadership of the House Republican Caucus was working to punish its own members for working to advance conservative policies and candidates in the primary,” State Rep. Slaton said in an article by Texas Scorecard.

The priorities of this caucus are backward, fatally dividing the republican party with only months before the November general election. 

Critics of the Texas House Republican Caucus’s “Incumbent Protection Program” say that the organization’s laws are inherently flawed. All republicans in the Texas House are immediately caucus members, with zero freedom to exercise their First Amendment liberties to monetarily or otherwise advocate for grassroots candidates who support their beliefs. 

This broken system forces traditionally conservative representatives to either remain silent or to support incumbent members in election cycles, which limits the potential for grassroot candidates to ever assume office. The “Incumbent Protection Program” serves as the security blanket for moderate Texan “RINOs.”

The Texas House GOP Caucus voted on this “censure” on Friday, July 22. This is a developing story which will be updated when their decision is released.

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Joseph Menslage

As the President and Publisher of Katy and Fort Bend Christian Magazines, Joe Menslage is committed to covering social and political news from a Christian worldview. He founded Katy Christian Magazine in 2005, which swept the greater Houston and Katy areas like a storm. That’s when Joe realized the urgent need for publications willing to give voices to the voiceless, without political correctness or censorship. Joe Menslage founded sister-publication Fort Bend Christian Magazine in 2014. Prior to creating Katy Christian Magazine, Joe Menslage led a colorful life. He was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, spent a great deal of his childhood in Colorado, and lived in a couple of other states before he moved to Houston in 1981. Joe was God-gifted with an entrepreneurial mind, and self-started other business ventures before he found his calling. In Joe’s words, our innate talents are given by the Lord, and are meant to be used to serve the Lord. Aside from being a President and Publisher, Joe Menslage is also the co-founder of Katy Christian Chamber of Commerce, where Christians can network, build business connections, listen to passionate speakers, and enjoy monthly breakfasts and lunches. Joe Menslage also hosts a weekly political satire YouTube channel. Joe Menslage has four children. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, watching zombie movies and K dramas, ax-throwing and Krav Maga.