[x]

Bruce Alger, the very conservative Congressman from Dallas who led the way for Republicans in Texas, was born in Dallas, but grew up in Webster Groves, Missouri and educated at Princeton.

The two Republicans elected to Congress from Texas in 1966 were George Bush, from Connecticut, and Bob Price, who was born in Kansas and educated in Oklahoma. Ed Foreman, who briefly represented West Texas in Congress was originally from New Mexico, and went on to represent that state later.

Clements was elected Governor over a decade later. Tower's achievement was certainly important, but he came out on top in what looks to me like a non-partisan election followed by a run-off. My point wasn't that no native Texans participated in the rise of the Republican party. It was that outsiders generally led the way.

[ansel12]

Historically, though, it was Northerners like the Bushes who led the way in getting elected as Republicans in Texas.

Thanks for proving yourself wrong.