2016 HARRIS COUNTY REPUBLICAN PRIMARY EDITION INSIDE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY PREVIEW IN-DEPTH ENDORSEMENT ANALYSIS YOUR VOTE MATTERS, SENATOR PAUL BETTENCOURT SAMPLE BALLOT ENDORSEMENTS EARLY VOTING RUNS FEB. 16-26; ELECTION DAY IS MAR. 1 • ENDORSEMENTS ON PAGE 19 MEET CONSERVATIVE GARY GATES ary and his wife of 34 years, Melissa, Gcame to Texas in 1986 and started to build. With an unwavering belief in entrepreneurship and what someone can achieve without government in their face, Gary built a real estate investment company that now owns thousands of apartment homes and provides work to hundreds of Texans. Gary and Melissa have given back to the community through their extensive involvement in Republican clubs, other conservative causes and the vital fight against those who would prey on the unborn. At the same time, they have supported causes to help children and young people, like their 2 local Pregnancy Resource Center and the Fort Bend County Fair and local wrestling Talk is Cheap. programs. Conservative Means Action. The tragic loss of their premature son, Jacob, in Gary Gates is the most 1992 only stirred Gary and Melissa to do what they always conservative candidate in do – build. By 1998, they were blessed with 13 children – 11 this race...and he has the of whom were adopted, including some with special needs story to prove it. and others from the state’s foster care system. Gary and his family live on a ranch in Richmond. They have been Watch Gary’s story at members of Grace Community Bible Church since 1996. www.ConservativeMeansAction.com AS RAILROAD COMMISSIONER, GARY WILL … 1. Protect Texas from Federal Over-reach 2. Stand up for Property Owners and Private Property Rights 3. Improve Agency Effectiveness, Accountability, and Agility Gary Gates doesn’t care about Political Correctness. Gary cares about Texas. paid political ad • Gary Gates for Railroad Commissioner www.GaryGatesForTexas.com • Facebook: Gary Gates for Texas IN RACE TO THE WHITE HOUSE TEXAS FINALLY GETS TO WEIGH-IN! By Gary Polland, Editor-in-Chief For the first time socialist. Think about that for a former CEO of a Fortune 100 company in many years, moment. The candidate who tied with and John Kasich, who was both a it appears that Mrs. Clinton—the presumed Democrat congressman and a governor. To Texas Republicans nominee—in the Iowa caucuses, does be clear, any of those 17 would be will actually not deny, no in fact embraces, the fact better than the last or next Democrat have a voice nominee. Republicans should be in determining extremely proud of this field of the Republican exceptional talent. nominee for Republicans should President. And lucky for us, there is be extremely proud Of course, it is a field that continues to a highly qualified pool of candidates shrink, both before and after the Iowa from which to choose. This is, of of this field of caucuses and the New Hampshire course, in sharp contrast to voters on exceptional talent. primary. At the time of this writing, the Democrat side who get to bet on, there still remain nine candidates in what a colleague of mine refers to as, the race, although in reality, the field a “hobo fight”—one between two is much smaller. The Iowa caucuses horrible choices. In that contest, the that he is a socialist. The Democrats cemented top tier status for Senator Democrats have on one side Hillary can only dream of the robust menu of Ted Cruz, Senator Marco Rubio and Clinton, a fatally flawed candidate talent from which we get to choose. billionaire Donald Trump and set who is engaged in a game of musical up a highly competitive three-way chairs with the Justice Department That Republican field is one that race going into the first in the nation that should end with her indictment numbered 17 at the beginning of the primary held in New Hampshire, when the music stops. On the other process and included 5 United States continuing to South Carolina and side is Bernie Sanders, an avowed senators, 8 governors, a billionaire, a Super Tuesday. - CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 3 In a few short months, Ron Hickman has revolutionized the Sheriff’s Department, improving public safety and saving taxpayer dollars Redistribution of Manpower to mission critical areas 58 personnel were transferred from non-essential areas to increase the field presence in Patrol for call for service operations, thus increasing the pool of personnel responding to calls for service. 10 additional personnel added to the Criminal Investigations Bureau to increase investigative resources. Realignment of Budget We received permission from Commissioner’s Court for the first time ever to split our Sheriff’s budget into three separate fund accounts to stop the drift of money from one area to another. This establishes a better business plan and helps maintain operational priorities. Developed a better overall business approach to department management. Grants Received a grant to add 21 positions to monitor freeway congestion and improve traffic flow. The Sheriff’s Office will be the only police agency monitoring every freeway in the County. Added $700,000 to the Texas Anti-Gang Center bringing our total in secured grants to $3,842,000. Privatized Commissary Services Increased profits and reduced staff dependency to provide commissary services to inmates by outsourcing. “I DO WHAT I DO BECAUSE YOUR LIVES Canceled Unnecessary Contracts & Purchase Orders Canceled over a million dollars in unnecessary contracts and purchase orders for services, such as paid inmate chaplaincy services MATTER, AND YOU CAN TAKE THAT TO and consulting services. Not one consulting contract issued since taking office. THE BANK.” –SHERIFF RON HICKMAN Harris County Sheriff’s Academy Re-established the Basic Correction Course and Basic Peace Office Course at the Harris County Sheriff’s Academy for the first time since 2009. Training a better prepared and more motivated public servant. Detention Officers Raised the minimum age to 21 and added physical requirements. Eliminated the two week on-line training for Detention Officers. Jail Inspection Passed the surprise jail inspection in December with positive comments on the improvements made to employee and inmate morale. Added project for video recording for the 1200 Baker Street Jail. Homeless Outreach Team Started a public / private partnership to create a Homeless Outreach team that has placed 20 people in housing and made over 110 homeless contacts just in the last 90 days. All equipment and materials for this project were bought with private funds. Republican Primary Early voting: February 16–26 • Election Day: Tuesday, March 1 Morale In just the first 6 months, department morale has skyrocketed with positive comments routinely coming from their public contacts www.ronhickman.com and from personnel. Pol Adv paid for by Ron Hickman for Sheriff, Jim Wright Treasurer MARK HERMAN IS ENDORSED BY: Constable Mark Herman is already at work for you! Dan Patrick - Lt. Governor of Texas • Reducing Crime Ed Emmett - County Judge • Relieving Traffic Congestion R. Jack Cagle - Commissioner Pct # 4 • Keeping Our Community Safe Jack Morman - Commissioner Pct # 2 30 years serving Precinct 4 Steve Radack - Commissioner Pct # 3 Constable’s Office Ron Hickman - Harris County Sheriff • Best choice to continue the work Phil Camus - Constable Pct 5 for the largest Constable agency Phil Sandlin - Constable Pct 8 in the US Dick Moore - Constable Pct 4 (Retired) • Implemented new policies and Mike Sullivan - Harris County Tax Assessor strategies • More officers on the streets Chris Daniel - Harris County District Clerk • Improved mobility Paul Bettencourt - Senator • Keeping our community safe Patricia Harless - State Representative # 126 • Strengthen bonds and forge Debbie Riddle - State Representative # 150 relationships within our Mark Keough - State Representative # 15 neighborhoods Dan Huberty - State Representative # 127 Gretchen Fagin - Mayor of Tomball Merle Aaron - Mayor of Humble Harris County Deputies’ Organization Houston Police Officers’ Union Coalition of Police and Sheriff’s Inc. Pol ad. pd for by Mark Herman Campaign 4 18482 Kuykendahl Rd, #191 Spring, TX 77379 2016 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FEATURED RACE ENDORSEMENTS Due to space limitations, only featured races are included in the endorsement commentary of the print edition of this year’s Voters Guide. The complete endorsement commentary can be found online at www.TexasConservativeReview.com. President of the United States: Read our feature article beginning on page 3 and make an informed decision. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE of the Texas Supreme Court. TCR is active within the Republican Party for DISTRICT 7: proud to add our endorsement to her 35 years. list and recommends a vote to keep JAMES LLOYD Justice Debra Lehrmann. Support for a challenger against an JUDGE, COURT OF CRIMINAL incumbent typically occurs when APPEALS, PLACE 5: the incumbent no longer effectively JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT, SID HARLE PLACE 5: represents his district or when the Judge Sid Harle has been presiding challenger brings something special RICK GREEN over criminal cases for 27 years. to the race. In this race, both apply. Rick Green is an impressive candidate. During that time, he has developed a Congressman John Culberson, who has He completed college in just two years reputation as tough, but fair-minded. held public office for nearly 30 years, and began law school at the age of Judge Harle’s extensive judicial has become a Washington insider 20. At 27, Rick Green was elected experience will be an invaluable asset and is out of touch with the district. to the Texas Legislature and was on the Court of Criminal Appeals. Culberson voted for the terrible named Republican Freshman of the omnibus spending bill that funds Year. In 2001, Rick Green and David Planned Parenthood, Obamacare, Barton founded Wallbuilders, which STATE REPRESENTATIVE Obama’s illegal amnesty, and other promotes the country’s moral, religious DISTRICT 127: offensive liberal programs.