Updated at 7:30 p.m. Revised to include judge refusing to order convention go forward
AUSTIN — A state district judge on Thursday refused a Texas Republican Party request that the GOP be allowed to go forward with its state convention in Houston next week, the same day the party sued to try to go ahead with the meeting.
District Judge Larry Weiman rejected the state GOP’s request for a temporary restraining order, one day after Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said next week’s gathering could not proceed at the downtown convention center. Turner, a Democrat, has denied any political motives in the cancellation and said it was a matter of public safety.
After a contentious two-hour hearing, Weiman said he was concerned about Houston hospitals reporting they have exceeded their regular intensive-care capacity, as coronavirus cases and deaths have surged in the state. The arrival next week of as many as 6,000 delegates from across Texas could worsen the situation, he noted. Attorneys for state Republicans said they plan to file an appeal.
The party filed the lawsuit Thursday against the city, Turner and Houston First Corp., which oversees the George R. Brown Convention Center. The GOP alleges breach of contract.
The in-person convention had been set to begin next week, drawing thousands of Texas Republicans to the city.
“Our objective is that the courts will hear and rule in our favor in time to open up the George R. Brown Convention Center Monday morning so that we may safely begin our vital work in the electoral process,” Texas Republican Party Chairman James Dickey said in a statement.
Turner said the cancellation was a matter of public health. Hospitals in Houston are filled with COVID-19 patients, and the city has emerged as a national hot spot for the coronavirus. The Texas Medical Association, which pulled its sponsorship of the event, has warned that conference-goers could take the virus home with them.
Dickey, however, said Turner was treating the GOP differently than other groups.
“Mayor Turner was explicit in his objective to dig through our contract and try to find a way — any way — to shut us down,” he said in a statement.
At a news briefing Thursday, Turner said the contract that the party signed in March defined “force majeure” to include a pandemic. That is the clause Houston First invoked to cancel.
“They are going to the courthouse, that in many cases is hearing and seeing cases virtually, to ask them to agree to allow 6,000 people to meet in person,” said Turner, a Democrat. “Now isn’t that ironic.”
Leaders of the state GOP had voted recently to proceed with an in-person event. Delegates said party business, such as approving a platform and choosing a chair, would best be done face to face.
Dickey said safety measures would be in place, such as temperature checks and room cleanings after each use.
At least 4,200 people had registered for this year’s convention, a drop from past gatherings, which have drawn over 10,000.
The Montgomery County judge has invited the party to hold the convention in his county, just up Interstate 45 from Houston.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
