Update From County Chair Gwen Withrow
November 18, 2025 | Media Inquiries: press@mctxgop.org
by Republican County Chair, Gwen Withrow, mctxgop.org
Candidate Filing in Progress!
Last week was very busy at the Montgomery County Republican Party Headquarters. On Saturday, we had 15 candidates file for a place on the March 2026 Primary Election ballot. This was the first day that candidates other than Precinct Chairs could file. Many candidates brought their families and I tried to have my picture taken with as many as possible.
We have processed around 90 Precinct Chairs as well as almost 20 other elected positions. The Secretary of State’s office has just started posting Precinct Chair candidates on their website and we are also posting that list on the county party website here to keep you fully informed. Other candidates may go to the Secretary of State’s website here.
Please contact our office if you have any questions!
Republican candidate filing for the Primary Election ballot continues through December 8th! Click here for Primary Candidate filing details. Click here for Precinct Chair filing details.
Recognizing Veterans With the East Montgomery County Republican Women
The Montgomery County Republican Party Headquarters was closed on Veterans Day so I was able to enjoy a great event with the East Montgomery County Republican Women. The ladies recognized all veterans by serving them a baked potato meal and some great desserts. Each veteran was asked to give a summary of their service, and then a video honoring our soldiers was played with President Trump giving recognition to those who have served our country.
Commemorative tokens were given, along with a “Quilt of Valor” presentation and a donation by the East Montgomery County Republican Women to our Veterans of Foreign Wars in Montgomery County.
New officers were announced for the upcoming year and then Precinct 4 Commissioner Matt Gray gave an update of events and progress on projects in the area.
It was a heartwarming and enjoyable event. I particularly love to see those who have served our country honored as we owe them so much. I was raised in a very patriotic family. My father served in both the CIA and the Army—he was career Army. My husband and father-in-law both served in the Air Force, and my son is currently serving as a career officer in the Coast Guard. Because of this, I grew up on military bases all over the world and was raised to respect our flag and the greatness of our country.
Run Your Race With Integrity
Earlier in the week, I attended a candidate forum with a local Republican organization. While I greatly appreciated being invited to speak about my campaign, I have to admit this forum was not as enjoyable as it turned into an unregulated debate of sorts. I want voters to have the information they need to make informed decisions on their ballot, but I'm not a fan of mud-slinging and bashing other candidates.
I have always felt that candidates run at great expense, personal sacrifice, and effort to give voters a choice of who will serve in the positions on the ballot. When I was president of the Republican Women’s Club in Jefferson County, I spoke to each candidate who came to speak and informed them of their time limit, emphasizing that they were not allowed to bash the other candidate, but should focus instead on their own plans to improve the office they seek. If they started making accusations against their opponent, I would cut them off. This is only fair unless the forum is clearly a structured debate where each candidate is given equal time to answer questions and follow debate rules. Otherwise, the second candidate to speak can denigrate the first if they choose, with no rebuttal permitted.
My advice to all candidates is to run with integrity and remember that, win or lose, there will be opportunities in the future. Don't get caught up in the political turmoil of winning at the expense of your personal integrity. Let's prioritize civility and principled leadership as we strengthen Montgomery County, defend Texas, and save America.
God Bless Texas and the USA,
Gwen Withrow, Chairman
Montgomery County Republican Party
