Dallas County GOP To Pick New Leader
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Republicans aren't just facing turmoil nationally; tonight the Dallas County GOP is being forced to replace the party chair.
Southern Methodist University political science professor Cal Jillson explains, "They ousted their longtime, well-respected chair (Wade Emmert) in favor of a man named Mark Montgomery who had to resign after only about a month. So, now we've got a wide open sort of off the normal contest to replace him."
Montgomery, who said he was stepping down for personal reasons, leaves the organization in financial distress as a field of candidates vies for backing to take over the lead spot.
Phillip Huffines, the twin brother of state Senator Don Huffines, says he has the support he needs to win tonight, but many have been against him of the possible family influence. "Don Huffines is in his first term as a Dallas-area, North Texas, Texas state senator and he has been a loggerheads with many local elected officials, mayors most memorably," Jillson said. "And he's trying to install his brother -- many people think -- as the Dallas County chair."
Jillson believes that most of the longtime workers for the GOP will likely back Plano attorney and former vice chair Elizabeth Bingham. He said, "The story that she has to tell is, 'I know how the process works. I know the precinct chairs. I know the rules. I've been involved in Dallas Co. GOP politics for a long time. Phillip Huffines might have a lot of money and a lot of energy and some support from his brother and other tea party leaders, but he doesn't know where the levers are to work the GOP machine.'"
Tonight's election is especially important since the Dallas GOP has struggled to win local races for years. "Up until 10 years ago there had been a two decade period of Republican control in Dallas County and that flipped over," detailed Jillson. "Republicans have had a very difficult time winning, so they have to be very well organized. They have to have very efficient fundraising. They've got to be very careful to sort of select their ticket as best they can. So you need someone who's familiar with everyone, knows their background, knows what they're capable of, and not just what their ideological beliefs are."
The direction of the local party will be set tonight when the Dallas GOP executive committee meets at the Best Western Plus Dallas Hotel, located at 8051 Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, and members elect a new chair. The meeting starts at 7 p.m.
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