It’s easier to run for President of the United States than to run for Ector County Republican Chair.
Did Donald Trump need approval from Tim Harry, Freda Daniels, or Judy’s Bonding to run for President? Does any Presidential candidate need signatures before they can run for President? Or is it the right of any citizen to run for President as long as they are 35 years of age and a natural born citizen.
Did Ned Luscombe need approval from appointed precinct chairs before he ran for Congress? Was Ned qualified to run for Congress? Or was it his right to run and let the voters of District 11 choose their next Congressman. Why is Ned Luscombe refusing the good people of Gardendale an opportunity to vote for County Chair? Gardendale are you ok with this?
Does Tisha Crow and her appointed precinct chairs realize how insecure they look hiding behind this clause? The clause which states 2 precinct chairs must agree to accept a candidate to run against Tisha Crow. A clause that’s not being enforced in every county in Texas. But for some reason in Ector County a small group of appointed precinct chairs are using this clause to silence the voters of Ector County while shielding Tisha Crow. A clause that no other potential candidate must adhere to whether seeking office on a local level, state level or a national level.
Precinct chairs are claiming they might sign the petition if a qualified candidate comes forth. The same precinct chairs that supported Casey Gray in District 81 race against Brooks Landgraf. An election that Brooks won with the support of 80% of the Ector County voters. Doesn’t sound like these precinct chairs are in step with the voters. Whether these precinct chairs are appointed or elected is irrelevant if they are not representing their constituents.
Tisha Crow had ZERO qualifications when she volunteered (not elected) to be County Chair around 2009. The former County Chair guided Tisha through her first years. She still made plenty of mistakes. Some critical. But she finally learned the position and did a good job…for awhile. But power, as it does with most politicians, has gotten the best of her. That’s why the majority of voters strongly support term limits.
I don’t live in Odessa, but I was born and raised in Odessa. I’ve been following Ector County politics for 50 years. And, I own commercial real estate in Odessa. I’m not allowed to vote in Ector County, but what happens in Ector County impacts my livelihood. I have a say. The new City Manager called me back in February and told me the Ector County Chair was not my concern since I was not a voter. Yet, my tax dollars are now paying his salary.
Whether Tisha finally accepts an opponent or not, she has already lost….she’s lost credibility…she’s lost respect. Tisha, it’s time to let the voters decide.
Lori Lewis Dawson
