https://redstate.com/erick/2011/01/07/will-the-people-of-texas-fold-or-fight-for-conservatives/feed/Conservative News & Politicsen-usSat, 13 Jun 2026 00:43:30 -0400<![CDATA[People of Texas, I put this post as the first post of the day at RedState and at the top of my Morning Briefing because I cannot emphasize just how important it is.The long term future of conservatism and federalism is in your hands today. You will either hurt us as a nation or help us as a nation. Yes, there is a monumental issue before your State House of Representatives and you must get on the phones today to help us all.On Monday, House Republicans in Texas will decide between Joe Straus and Ken Paxton as their choice for Speaker of the Texas House. Ken Paxton is a clear conservative who will fight for states&#8217; rights, strong federalism, and conservative values and policy.Joe Straus is, at best, an opportunist and at worse a Democrat. Straus became the Speaker of a Republican State House with the votes of a united Democratic caucus and 11 Republicans.This year, Joe Straus has worked overtime to elect liberal Democrats to the State House. His candidates were rejected by the voters.Now you must put the fear of the Almighty and Living God in your State Representative that if he dare vote for Joe Straus for Speaker of the House, or any other candidate put up to steal votes from Ken Paxton, you will primary his sorry butt out of office.With redistricting, the fight over Obamacare, and the fight between Washington and the states all at stake, there is a lot riding on choice between Ken Paxton and Joe Straus. One will assist Rick Perry and his fight against the feds. The other will undermine him.Go here. Get on the phone. Call your State Representative. Tell him to vote for Ken Paxton or get ready to be primaried in the next election.Below the fold, if you have any doubts, I have a review for just why this is so vitally important not just for Texas, but for the whole country.If there is one thing that is a given in politics, it is this. Conservatives know how to win elections and they won big on November 2, 2010. There are few places where they won as big as they did in Texas. Coming into November 2nd, Republicans held the Texas House narrowly, 76-74. That margin increased dramatically in November 2nd and in the days to follow. With a margin of 101-49, Republicans now have a commanding margin in the Texas House. Better yet, a solid majority are conservative.What conservatives have traditionally not been good at is winning the intra-party elections that decide important chairmanships and legislative agendas. I hope that is about to change and I hope Texas leads the way.If you haven&#8217;t been paying attention to what is going on in Texas, here&#8217;s a quick refresher. In 2009, with the support of 65 Democrats and only 11 Republicans, Republican (in name only) Joe Straus was elected Speaker of the Texas House. I would take the time to rattle off all of Joe Straus&#8217; liberal bone fides, but they are legion. However, there are a few worth noting. On top of appointing 20 Democrats as committee chairmen in 2009,]]>Fri, 07 Jan 2011 05:00:00 -0500<![CDATA[Erick Erickson]]>https://redstate.com/erick/2011/01/07/will-the-people-of-texas-fold-or-fight-for-conservatives-n37529