Update From County Chair Gwen Withrow
December 2, 2025 | Media Inquiries: press@mctxgop.org
by Republican County Chair, Gwen Withrow, mctxgop.org
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I spent time with my family who I am so blessed to enjoy.
The Primary Election Starting Gate
We are at the starting gate of the big race. The Kentucky Derby of Primary season in Montgomery County. We here in Montgomery County play an extra big role in determining the candidates that win statewide. It is an extra load for our Precinct Chairs. Each of you has to vet the candidates and make sure you are supporting the best of the best. As a Precinct Chair, your fellow citizens of depend on each of you to help to introduce and educate them about the candidates. We want the best, most conservative Republicans representing us in November next year. Our neighbors, county, and country depend on this.
Primary Election Candidate Filings
In Montgomery County, we have received filings and processed 27 applications to be on the Primary Election ballot. I estimate we have at the very least six or seven to go. We have also processed around 77 Precinct Chair filings with 11 contested races so far.
Candidate filing continues at Republican Party Headquarters until December 8th at 6 pm!
We have been struggling with the Secretary of State’s processing system as it appears it was not quite ready for filing season when we started. It is called TEAMs – a misnomer if I have ever heard one. Montgomery County GOP Secretary, DJ Fike, created spreadsheets as a service for our candidates and Precinct Chairs, which we posted on our website to allow folks to follow the candidate filing process better. This meant double work for our volunteers, but we want information to be available to everyone.
The last day of filing will be Monday, December 8th at exactly 6 pm. Just like when voting, if you are inside the door at 6 pm with all of the proper paperwork, you will be on the ballot. Hopefully we will not have any sad faces looking in at 6:15 pm.
The Party Chairman’s Role in Candidate Filing
As the county Republican Chairman, it is not my job to pick and choose who the party will support. It is my job to get the candidates out in front of the voters so that they choose who they will vote for.
I will actually claim the title my opponent likes to throw at me of being a Grandma. I actually think of myself as such to each candidate as I try my very best to be neutral and provide each candidate with information about running for office. I start to think of them as my candidates and try to support them where I can.
I remember my grandmothers giving me some very wise advice and guidance when I was younger. Similarly, I try to help our candidates through the process of running for office .
Bag-Stuffing Day for Block Walking
Precinct Chairs, please mark your calendars for stuffing day on January 10th. We already have a lot of signs at the office and I am advising candidates to make sure push cards and materials are available for block walking. We are anxious for signs and push cards to start moving from the office so come by and select your candidates’ signs.
Primary Ballot Draw
We are inviting all to the ballot draw on December 18th, starting with Precinct Chairs at 5 pm. It will be at the Republican Party Office and we welcome any candidates who would like to help the party with some funding for snacks for our guests and participants.
Christmas Party
Before the ballot draw, we will be having a small get-together to celebrate Christmas. It will be at the Republican Party Office from 2-5 pm. This will be a friendly time to visit with fellow Precinct Chairs and candidates for office. They have scheduled my circus act at 3 pm as the entertainment for the event. I will be performing “The Multiring Circus of the County Chairman.”
Primary Election Judges
In the midst of all of this activity, Secretary DJ Fike and I will be working with Montgomery County Election Central to continue preparing for the March Primary. One of the first tasks before us to produce an approved list of judges for the Primary. This is due before Christmas. We will start with the approved list from the Commissioners and make changes based on contested Precinct Chair races and Precinct Chair recommendations. This is the approved list and only to be changed for emergencies. To avoid having to deviate from the list, we are suggesting back-up selections if possible. By law, the County Chairman is solely responsible for appointing judges for the Primary. The Republican Party is responsible for running the Republican Primary, unlike the general elections.
Election Workers Paychecks
One other change this year which I will inform you about in more detail in future meetings is that the party will be responsible this year for the Primary Election workers paychecks on election day. I have appointed Vice Chairman Luis Pedraza to work on this project as we are talking about probably 800 or so checks.
The important thing election judges need to explain to workers is that if they work early voting, they will get their check from the county but if they work on election day, their paycheck will be processed by the party. We will cover more of this change for Montgomery County at future meetings.
Chairman Withrow with Kaaren Cambio and Jessica Steinmann at the December meeting of The Woodlands Republican Women.
May God Bless each and every one of you through the season of the birth of our savior Jesus Christ.
Gwen Withrow, Chairman
Montgomery County Republican Party
