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Texas Republican convention ends with party control over ideology, candidates strengthened

Delegates adopted new rules designed to give more clout to the GOP’s most conservative activists.

SAN ANTONIO — Delegates on Saturday wrapped up a Texas Republican Party convention that will be remembered for adopting new rules and policies meant to strictly enforce the party’s control over candidates, ideology and legislative action.

That was evident with the election of Abraham George, a member of the party’s ultraconservative wing, as chair of the state GOP, and with the adoption of rules meant to give the party’s most conservative activists more clout.

Here are three takeaways from the state GOP convention:

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The party demands adherence to its ideology

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The convention demonstrated that many Republicans have little tolerance for a difference of opinion on issues, even for those who agree with the vast majority of everything else.

During debate on a rules change to ban candidates and incumbents censured by the state party from running as a Republican for two years, delegates defended the inclusion of judges and judicial candidates in the new policy.

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Some argued judges should be required to follow the law, not party ideology. But judges were included in the new rule after delegates insisted they be held accountable for actions — including rulings and decisions — deemed to violate Republican Party principles.

That attitude has been reflected in the 2024 primary season, when House Republicans with strong conservative credentials have lost primaries — or could lose in Tuesday’s primary runoffs — because of one or two votes taken during the 2023 legislative session.

Gov. Greg Abbott has targeted House Republicans who voted to block his “school choice” plan that would let some families use public dollars for private schools. Attorney General Ken Paxton is seeking revenge on House Republicans who a year ago voted to impeach him. George, the new state chairman, was an aggressive critic of pro-impeachment House Republicans during his time as Collin County GOP chairman.

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Republican activists now require their elected leaders to be in lockstep on nearly all legislative priorities and platform planks.

That means some issues attractive to a broader audience may lose out, including bills to expand gambling, which many GOP lawmakers support. The party platform opposes loosening restrictions on gambling, putting expansion at risk in the 2025 Legislature. In 2023, a bill to allow sports betting passed the Texas House but stalled in the more conservative Senate.

The populist wing is in control, getting stronger

Over the years the Texas Republican Party — like its Democratic counterpart — lacked the kind of power wielded by parties in other states. In Texas clout has mostly belonged to candidates and the donors who contribute to their campaigns.

Republican grassroots activists tend to be loyal, committed and very conservative. They are the folks who will make telephone calls to voters, plant yard signs and spend long days in committee meetings to craft a platform and propose new rules.

Remember when then-Gov. George W. Bush was asked about the Texas GOP platform and he said he hadn’t read it?

Things have changed, and in recent years the platform has been used to attack incumbents and push lawmakers to follow its dictates.

Delegates also approved a rule that would close GOP primaries to block Democrats and independents from crossing over to participate in the process. Another adopted rule requires county-level party officials to reject applications from Republican incumbents and candidates who were censured by party leaders.

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If the new rules survive expected lawsuits and Texas lawmakers acquiesce, the state party can better influence GOP politics — and state policies that affect Texans — for years to come.

Top elected leaders like Abbott are showing one issue can kill a recalcitrant lawmaker’s career. Republican elected officials and candidates will now be wary of disagreeing with the party’s most conservative voices.

Right-of-center voices are being muted

As their party continues to embrace the brand of populism wielded by former President Donald Trump, center-right conservatives are losing influence and face dwindling options.

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Not only do they have to avoid being hunted by GOP activists as a RINO — a Republican In Name Only — their moderating takes on abortion, energy policy and LGBTQ issues are often nonstarters in the Legislature and on the campaign trail.

Part of their dilemma is the unpopularity of President Joe Biden and Democrats in Texas.

Bipartisanship was rarely mentioned at the GOP convention, and even the thought of supporting a Democrat can be political suicide. Republican activists are pushing to prohibit GOP House speakers from appointing Democrats to leadership positions, a longtime tradition and a nod to bipartisanship.

The disdain many Republican activists have for Democrats makes it difficult for elected leaders to work across the aisle on many issues.