Hopson gets nod from Republican leadership

House Speaker Joe Straus (at podium) recognizes nine members of the Texas House of Representatives who traveled to East Texas to welcome Rep. Hopson to the Republican Party. State Rep. Chuck Hopson’s formal announcement that he is running for re-election on the Republican ticket attracted a who’s who of state and national politicians Saturday at the Cherokee County Airport.

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples and House Speaker Joe Straus joined nine members of the House of Representatives who serve as chairmen and vice-chairmen of committees.

Approximately 75 persons gathered inside a hanger for welcoming speeches to Rep. Hopson, a five-term Democrat who announced Nov. 6 he will seek re-election as a Republican.

“President Obama and the Democrats in Congress don’t reflect the conservative values in this district,” Rep. Hopson said. “I found that I agree more strongly with the Republican Party on issues of family values, illegal immigration reform, gun rights, property owner rights and the death penalty.”

l State Rep. Chuck Hopson (second from left) recognizes state and national leaders who attended his press conference Saturday. From left are Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples, House Speaker Joe Straus and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. Political consultant Bryan Eppstein of Fort Worth distributed a press release Saturday stating that 60 House members, representing 80 percent of the Republican caucus, have endorsed Rep. Hopson in District 11.

The press release included “talking points” from U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who are foes on the gubernatorial campaign trail, but agree on welcoming Hopson’s switch.

Sen. Cornyn told the group that the one thing that Washington, D.C. and Austin need most are reinforcements. “Chuck, we need people like you who are small government conservatives. I tell people in Washington that we have conservatives in Texas. Some of them call themselves Republicans, some of them call themselves Democrats and some of them call themselves Independents.

k A small group of demonstrators opposed to state Rep. Chuck Hopson’s switch to the Republican party attended his press conference Saturday. “All of us are here today to say that we support you and we are going to work hard to make sure you get elected as a Republican to this district.”

Some Republicans parsed words over the definition of “welcome to the party” vs. “endorsement.”

Rep. Hopson’s announcement on Nov. 6 was followed six hours later with an announcement by Dr. Michael Banks, a Jacksonville dentist, that he was considering a bid for the District 11 seat on the Republican ticket. Dr. Banks made his formal announcement Monday. (See related story on front page.)

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst was mentioned in previous press releases that he would attend the Saturday announcement. He told the Cherokeean Herald last Thursday in Nacogdoches that he had a charitable event that conflicted with the Cherokee County announcement, and that he might not be able to attend. He said he was familiar with Rep. Hopson’s party change and said, “I am inclined to endorse him.”

Not everyone has embraced Rep. Hopson’s switch to the Republican Party.

The Texas Democratic Party (TDP) and the Texas Democratic Women (TDW) issued a joint statement Saturday afternoon blasting him for the defection.

“As a rural Texan, I know that John Cornyn and Joe Straus support policies that rob rural Texas communities – right here in East Texas, the Republicans tried to take the water from our Neches River and give it to Dallas,” said TDW President-elect Joanna Reagan of Bullard. “Chuck Hopson knows how the Republican Party has abandoned rural Texas, and it’s clear he’s chosen to stand with the party of special interests rather than with his constituents.”

Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie said that the Republican Party is guilty of abandoning public schools and has supported taking rural land for toll roads. “While I’m extremely disappointed with Chuck Hopson, I remain confident the Texas House of Representatives will have a Democratic Speaker next legislative session.”

A group of approximately a dozen demonstrators held signs and chanted “No more Chuck” on the perimeter of the airport hanger. Other signs decried him for fleeing to Oklahoma during a controversial vote on redistricting in 2003.

Cherokee County Sheriff James Campbell complimented the demonstrators for their restraint. “I spoke with them last week, and they asked if they could attend.”

Sen. Cornyn, after the speeches, made a point to meet with members of the group, who are also Republicans, and shook their hands.

Cherokee County Republican Party Chairman Josie Schoolcraft did not attend. Recognized dignitaries

• Charlie Gehren (R-Fort Worth), chairman of House

Administration • Jim Keffer (R-Eastland), chairman of Energy Resources • Larry Phillips (R-Sherman), vice-chairman of General

Investigating & Ethics • Bryan Hughes (R-Marshall), vice-chairman of Judiciary &

Civil Jurisprudence • Byron Cook (R-Corsicana), chairman, Environmental

Regulation, vice-chairman, Local & Consent Calendar • Tommy Merritt (R-Longview), chairman of Public Safety • Gary Elkins (R-Houston), vice-chairman of Business &

Industry • Vicki Truitt (R-Fort Worth), chairman of Pensions,

Investments & Financial Services • Lois W. Kolkhorst (R-Brenham), chairman of Public Health Quotables

We need more people that understand that the federal government should not get in the examination room with you and your doctor, and tell your doctor what he can or can’t order in your best interest.”

JOHN CORNYN

U.S. Senator

Chuck and Billie Hopson are good people. Chuck would not have won elections like he has without strong Republican support over the past few years.”

TODD STAPLES

Texas Agriculture Commissioner

All of our fellow Republican colleagues, of whom there are many here – they’re not quite a quorum, but close – come up here (to the podium.) We are proud to stand here together to welcome Chuck to the Republican caucus. He’s where he belongs.”

JOE STRAUS

Speaker, Texas House of Representatives

“When I heard Chuck was changing parties, it reminded me of a joke that came from ‘anonymous:’ Politicians are a little like diapers, they need to be changed regularly and for the same reason.”

DR. ROBERT HABERLE

Mayor of Jacksonville

I voted for Chuck for many years. I’ve told him for several years it would be easier if he came over to the ‘dark side.’ I had to cross party lines (in the past) to support him.”

ANGELA RAIBORN

Mayor of Rusk

I was looking around and it dawned on me, I am the only un-elected person standing up behind the podium. Me and Chuck have spent a lot of time over the phone just over the past few weeks, and we’ve spent

lot of time over the past few years around one another. I, of course, have no doubt in my mind that Chuck Hopson is going to follow the Republican platform, and he’s going to impress anybody that may not be excited about this.”

BRIAN K. WALKER former Republican candidate, House District 11