Free Republic

Tina Benkiser will leave her post as chairwoman of the Texas Republican Party next month so she can join Gov. Rick Perry’s campaign as a senior adviser. In announcing her move, Benkiser called Perry the “only true conservative” in the race — a clear shot at U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who is challenging Perry for the Republican nomination. While the move was unexpected, it makes sense that Benkiser would back Perry. She comes straight from the social conservative base that Perry is counting on to help him win another term. Benkiser has led the state party since 2003. During...

Texas Republican Party Chairman Tina Benkiser has teamed up with Ohio´s Ken Blackwell in the contest to lead the Republican National Committee over the next two years. The Washington Times has learned Mrs. Benkiser has decided to forgo a run for RNC national chairman and instead to run for co-chairman, a traditionally less powerful position that historically, with one exception, has been held by a woman. “If I ran for chairman, I decided after looking over the field, it might contribute to dividing the conservative vote and allowing a moderate to win,” she told The Times in a phone interview...

Dear Republican Family, Congratulations and a heart-felt thank you for all of your hard work during our recent victories from the Texas court houses to the U.S. White House! What a pleasure it has been to serve with you in such a successful battle for the heart and soul of America. Last week, Republicans won impressive victories at every level of government. In Texas, Republicans won 87% of all races from District Attorney and up. With the world watching, we helped re-elect our own President George W. Bush, wh • Became the first presidential candidate to win more than 50%...

The Party Line: June 18, 2004 Extending a hand of bipartisan friendship, today Texas GOP Chairman Tina Benkiser issued a tongue-in-cheek endorsement of incumbent Texas Democrat Party Chairman Charles Soechting. "Mr. Soechting is one of the Republican Party’s greatest assets," said Benkiser. "There is no doubt he will play a critical role in our November victories." Benkiser cited several of Soechting’s accomplishments since being installed as chairman by the trial lawyers in October 2003 as the reason for her endorsement: Spreading false rumors about the Governor and his family and refusing to apologize when caught Refusing to apologize after his...

Perry stirs up GOP convention BY KELLEY SHANNON AP Political Writer SAN ANTONIO - Gov. Rick Perry stirred Texas Republican Party fervor Thursday with sharp attacks on gay marriage, abortion and Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry. President Bush's re-election bid took center stage as the GOP's state convention began, as did the Republican effort to seize control of the 32-member Texas congressional delegation. Republicans are aiming to win 23 Texas seats in Congress now that a GOP-leaning congressional redistricting plan is in effect. Currently the delegation is evenly split between the two parties. Perry, addressing thousands of Republican Party faithful,...

Two women face off in rematch for state GOP chair AUSTIN (AP) — It'll be a rematch between two Texas Republican women when the state party selects its next chairman this week. The Republican Party of Texas meets Thursday through Saturday in San Antonio at what is considered the nation's largest political party convention because of the 10,000 to 12,000 delegates and alternates expected to attend. Tina Benkiser, a corporate and patent attorney in Houston, is running for a full term as leader of the Texas GOP, a post she was elected to last year when the previous chairman re...

Tina Benkiser was overwhelmingly elected Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas today at a special meeting of the State Republican Executive Committee in Austin. She will serve the remainder of former Chairman Susan Weddington’s term, who recently resigned and was appointed President of Governor Rick Perry’s OneStar Foundation. Benkiser will seek reelection at the State Convention next June in San Antonio.