Report From County Chair Gwen Withrow
This report was presented at the August meeting of the Montgomery County Republican Party’s County Executive Committee (CEC).
August 5, 2025 | Media Inquiries: press@mctxgop.org
by Republican County Chair, Gwen Withrow, mctxgop.org
Welcome to all of our guests tonight. And, of course welcome to the hardest working Precinct Chairs in the state. I really am proud of you. As I have stated before, the people in this room will decide the outcome of upcoming elections. Because of this momentous responsibility, it is imperative that each of you meet and choose the candidates you support with the upmost care.
New Party Tradition: Pre-Meeting Fellowship
We have started tonight with a new tradition for the party. At least until after the Primary Election, we will be meeting before each County Executive Committee (CEC) meeting at GuadalaHARRY's restaurant at 4:30pm. I am hoping that by fellowshipping together we can develop a closer bond among our Precinct Chairs. But, the most important reason is to meet and greet with candidates on the upcoming ballot. I am urging each of you to invite Republicans to come and meet Precinct Chairs and candidates. Visitation during the CEC meeting is very limited, so this time of fellowship will provide a time to get to know one another and candidates for elected office. I mentioned that I wanted to start this to Precinct 109 Chair, Karen Zeller, and she had it all planned immediately.
Texas Special Session
All I can say about the current special session is – WOW! I can see the strong arm of Trump at work and he is playing hardball. Personally, I like our leadership treating Democrats as the opponents they are. We all need to remember who the real enemy is.
Woodlands 4th of July Parade
I want to thank all of those who helped out with the Woodlands parade, especially Precinct 24 Chair, Bob Bagley, and longtime volunteer, Phil Cady. We had a great group help out. I should have asked them all to sign a list so I could recognize each and every one of them. Our presence for this parade is important. I have to thank Attorney Art Agular for usage of chairs for the float and the Northshore Republican Women (NSRW) for allowing us to use their elephant.
This brings me to an item which is on the agenda. I’d like to purchase an elephant for the party. We can use it for many things besides parades. The NSRW have been gracious, but it is time to allow them to use their elephant for the Bentwater parade.
Return of Our Items From Waller County
You will all be excited to know that Waller County under the leadership of a new County Chairman has returned some of our items, such as tables. I was happy to thank the new Chairman, Cyndi Lawrence, in person.
Modification of Headquarters Lease
The current office has served us well this past year. It was truly a blessing from the Lord. We are going to be discussing and voting on a slight modification to our lease this evening. I know some of you would really like to see a more central location in this big county of ours. I am not wedded to any location. I believe we need to select a committee to start working on proposals for an office location at the end of this term. We will start discussing this in the Steering Committee.
Headquarters Volunteers Needed!
We need volunteers to help man the office this fall as we go though the filing process and start preparing for the Primary Election. Montgomery County is important to the candidates running statewide races as well as it appears we will have a very robust group of candidates running here in the county as well.
Thank You to Monthly Donors & Fundraising Needs
I also want to add a thank you to the many folks who generously give each month to the party. A list appears on the statement furnished by Charles each meeting.
While we have a fundraising committee, the best I have ever seen I might add, it is the responsibility of each Precinct Chair to aid in fundraising and to assist with finding donors.
There are opportunities to volunteer for the two upcoming events which the fundraising committee will report on tonight as well. Volunteers also may visit the Get Involved page on our website to help out.
Thank you to Party Secretary, DJ Fike
I especially want to thank DJ Fike for her willingness to attend training and perform duties which have greatly assisted me in running the party operations. She has become a notary to assist with filing applications and will be attending training to perform acceptance of candidate applications for the March Primary.
Precinct Chair Ballot Application Filings
As I’ve stated before, every Precinct Chair must file a ballot application this fall. I am hearing we may have some contested Precinct Chair races. Montgomery County is famous for such party activism. As the County Chair, I will be neutral and as a party we will be neutral; however, Precinct Chairs will be campaigning at their own discretion. I urge each of you to have fun—a party should be fun. Remember we are the party of happy folks, not the wild-eyed, woke Democrats. I repeat, lets always remember who the real enemy is.
