Local and State Committee Members Respond to Chairman’s Divisiveness, Stress the Need for a United Republican Party
Public testimony before the Shenandoah City Council begins at the 3:05 mark.
November 17, 2023 | Montgomery County, TX
Republican Precinct Chairs and State Committee members, along with concerned citizens, attended the November 15 Shenandoah City Council meeting to express their concerns about false statements made by local Republican Chairman Bryan Christ at the previous City Council meeting.
During the “citizens forum” portion of the October 25 meeting, Chairman Christ was allowed to solicit votes and make numerous accusations against the local Republican County Executive Committee and the Republican Party of Texas.
Because Chairman Christ’s statements were made in a public forum, those giving testimony felt they had no choice but to set the record straight in an effort to provide facts and documentation to the City Council and the public.
Not only is it bad form for elected officials or candidates to show up at a city council or public board meeting to campaign for an office, it is even more egregious that Chairman Christ made numerous outright dishonest claims regarding the Montgomery County Republican Party, the lawsuit that was filed against him, and the Republican Party of Texas.
Thirteen Precinct Chairs who are members of the local Republican County Executive Committee (CEC), both State Republican Executive Committee (SREC) members for Senate District 4, and three local Republican voters testified before the City Council.
Shenandoah Sentinel: Local & State GOP Officials Highlight Failed Leadership of Bryan Christ
Early in the public comment time, Council Member Ted Fletcher asked that the speakers refrain from “personal attacks” since the person who was being discussed was not there to defend himself, after which Mayor Joe Escoto concurred. Precinct Chairs were respectful, not focusing on Chairman Christ’s character, but stating facts and outcomes in response to false statements made by Chairman Christ at the prior meeting when they had not been present to defend themselves and the Republican Party of Texas.
Later in the evening, Precinct 87 Chair Robert Walker contested Fletcher’s statement. Walker said, “What you’re seeing here today is the Precinct Chairs defending themselves from when you didn’t call out Mr. Christ when he came before you at your last meeting and spoke against the County Executive Committee members in a bad light.”
Common Themes
Several common themes emerged throughout the evening regarding Chairman Christ’s operation of the Montgomery County Republican Party.
Mismanagement of the Party
Chairman Christ’s dodging party rules and bylaws, and his ignoring or misuse of Robert’s Rules of Order.
Not properly vetting Precinct Chairs and installing them by email or zoom call on top of already-filled seats.
Refusing to chair legitimately called meetings.
Refusing to acknowledge legitimately appointed Precinct Chairs and report them to the Texas Secretary of State, a statutory duty of the Chair.
Mediation Attempt
Refusing to compromise in good faith when he had opportunity to unify the party.
Note: The official Republican Party of Texas Mediation Report was provided to the City Council members. While this document is labeled “confidential,” it has since been publicly released.
Fundraising and Party-Sponsored Events
No help with Get Out the Vote (GOTV) efforts.
No help with the Montgomery County Republican Party Gala or golf tournaments to raise GOTV funds.
Chairman Christ fundraising for his own Political Action Committee (PAC) instead of the Republican Party.
Headquarters Shutdown
Lease canceled after approximately $18,000 was spent on a remodel.
Rent money unaccounted for.
Chairman Christ liquidated the contents of the party Headquarters and all party assets without notice to Precinct Chairs.
Conflicts of Interest
Wife’s political consulting company and her clients who fund the couple’s PACs.
Putting his own financial interests above the interests of the party.
Some Key Testimony
Gwen Withrow, SREC member for Senate District 4 and Precinct 72 Chair, who is running against Chairman Christ for County Chair, explained that she would not use the public forum of a city council meeting to introduce herself had Chairman Christ not appeared before them to campaign at their last council meeting.
Withrow stated that she had witnessed the division in the party under Chairman Christ and felt a real sense of urgency to unite the party, leading to her decision to run for Chair. She also shared her experience as a businesswoman and leader within the Republican Party and told council members that she had been selected as one of the top 10 Republican Women in Texas by the Texas Federation of Republican Women.
Dale Inman, SREC member for Senate District 4 and Precinct 27 Chair, spoke to the need for new leadership for the local party, citing the Mediation Report from the Republican Party of Texas, which identified the cause of the divide in the Montgomery County Republican Party as Chairman Christ’s “total failure of leadership.” The state mediation team also stated that Chairman Christ seemed “entirely uninterested” in solving the problems in the party in order to bring the two sides together.
Local attorney and Shenandoah resident, Esther Lum, responded to Chairman Christ’s claim that the doctrine of the “Lesser Magistrates” was the reason he was “dragged before the Texas Supreme Court.” She referred to the filing of the Writ of Mandamus, stating it was “clearly a factual dispute about how he conducted meetings and his alleged violations of the Texas Election Code….So instead of addressing the numerous allegations of failed leadership in conducting meetings or filling precinct chair vacancies, he muddied the waters and would have you believe that it’s all about a STATE GOP rule that could potentially lead to abolishing the primaries.” Lum called Chairman Christ’s statements “nonsense.”
Shenandoah Sentinel: Local & State GOP Officials Highlight Failed Leadership of Bryan Christ
Will Montgomery County Remain a Republican Stronghold?
SREC member Inman referred to a recent breakfast he had with Senator Ted Cruz. Senator Cruz said, “I need you to pull Montgomery County together. Montgomery County is critical.” Inman shared attempts he had personally made to meet with Chairman Christ, but each was refused.
Montgomery County has historically been a Republican stronghold that figured significantly in keeping Texas “red.” Chairman Christ’s statements against the County Executive Committee and Republican Party of Texas are another example of his divisiveness and unwillingness to put the needs of the party first in order to present a strong, united front against Democrats who are working every day to flip Texas “blue.”
Ultimately, several Precinct Chairs who testified called for the Chairman to resign due to his failed leadership and inability to unify and bring the party together. They further asked the council members who have endorsed Chairman Christ to reconsider in light of the division he has created in the party.
Get Involved!
The Montgomery County Republican Party needs your help as we prepare for the March Primary Election. It takes many volunteers to help with block walking, educating voters in parking lots, and getting out the vote for strong Conservatives. Please take a moment to learn how you can get involved!