Texas State Representative Gary Gates Starts False Smear Campaign Against Challenger Dan Mathews

Texas State Representative Gary Gates Starts False Smear Campaign Against Challenger Dan Mathews

FORT BEND COUNTY, TX– The battle for the 2024 GOP primaries kicks up a notch as incumbent candidate Texas Rep. Gary Gates (HD-28, R) fires a fleet of targeted social media and text message attacks against grassroots candidate Dan Matthews (R). 

Both candidates are vying for the Republican nomination for Texas Representative of House District 28, which is Gates’ current seat. HD 28 includes parts of Sugar Land, Needville, Fulshear and Rosenberg in Fort Bend County.

In Gates’ smear campaign against Matthews, he accuses the grassroots candidate of not residing in HD 28. Interestingly, the incumbent filed a lawsuit to remove Matthews from the ballot at the Fort Bend County District Court. This lawsuit was dismissed in favor of Matthews.

At a Feb. 13 meeting, the Fort Bend County GOP stated the failed lawsuit was an “unlawful claim.” Matthews declined Gates’ allegation through a video message to the public, maintaining that he is a resident of HD 28 and that he currently lives there.

Matthews’ application to be included in the ballot was accepted by the Fort Bend County GOP and the Texas Secretary of State.

Still, Gates presses on with his attack against Matthews, sending a new flurry of accusations about Matthews’ residency, the same claim he had lost at court.

“Did you know that Gary Gates’ opponent doesn’t even live in House District 28? Wayne Dolcefino’s investigation reveals the truth here,” a mass-sent text message from the Gary Gates for Texas campaign said.

Interestingly, Gary Gates’ residency in HD 28 has long been the source of speculation among GOP party members and voters. Many assert that the state representative lives in a small ski town in Colorado the majority of the time.

Gates’ campaign against Matthews may indicate a bit of desperation as the end of the primary elections draws near. 

Grassroot candidates are gaining widespread momentum among Republican and conservative voters, because many have lost faith and confidence in the integrity of GOP incumbent politicians, particularly those in the Texas House of Representatives. 

In September, Texas House Republicans “absolutely disgraced and embarrassed” themselves in the eyes of the nation with a failed, sham impeachment trial against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The trial was a colossal waste of resources, time and $5 million hardworking Texan tax dollars.

Many House Republicans, including Gates, lied about Paxton under oath in order to move the impeachment trial into the Texas Senate. In the Senate chambers, Paxton was acquitted under all charges, but not before the House Republicans were forced to admit that they’d lied under oath. 

These occurrences unfolded five short months ago, and the public has not forgotten. Gates has yet to explain his “yes” vote to impeach Paxton through any town hall meeting or through any other media, his critics point out.

Gates has long funded Republicans who voted for and led the sham impeachment against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. In March 2023 Texas State Rep Justin Holland-R posted on X (formerly Twitter) this-

For his efforts, Gates gave Holland a $10,000 contribution to help his sinking campaign just last month.

 

The pressure is on for all Republican incumbents, especially for those who voted “yes.” Perhaps this is why, in this election cycle, we’re witnessing incumbents widely attacking their grassroots primary opponents at a rate that is unprecedented in local politics.

The primary election will occur on March 5, 2024. The general election will occur on November 5, 2024. Visit www.KatyChristianMagazine.com for the newest breaking updates in local politics and Christian news. 

If you need our voter’s guide for Fort Bend County click here. If you need our voter’s guide for Harris County, click here.

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