2008-06-04 02:27:25 -

- Wharton County Republican Party Debra Medina, 979-253-0220 A group of Republican activists coordinated by Wharton County GOP Chair Debra Medina announced today that it has undertaken action to ensure the proper enforcement of the Texas Election Code at the upcoming Republican Party of Texas convention in Houston. The group plans to seek the convention's compliance with Texas Election Code

sections 174.094 and 174.095. These sections require the appointment of a temporary convention chair, seating of delegates, and the election of a permanent chair before the convention is allowed to conduct any official business.

The court action was prompted by multiple reports of Election Code violations from around the state at county and senate district Republican Conventions in March. Previous attempts to ensure their enforcement at the state convention in June have met with inexplicable resistance from the Republican Party of Texas' leadership.

"We as Republicans hold ourselves to be the party that respects the rule of law," said Wharton County GOP Chair Debra Medina, a coordinator of the efforts. "We've come to recognize that we have some serious problems within our own Party."

In late April, Medina retained attorney Gary Polland to negotiate an agreement with the Republican Party of Texas to follow the Texas Election Code at the upcoming Texas Republican Party State Convention to be held in Houston June 12-14. Polland, a former chairman of the Harris County Republican Party himself, reported on Tuesday that efforts to obtain an agreement from the state party have met with resistance and ultimately a refusal to simply consent to follow the law. Specifically, the Texas Election Code prescribes that the delegates at the state convention will select a permanent convention chairman before conducting business. The Party leadership continues to be unresponsive to these requests and to demonstrate a pattern of blatant disregard for the rules.

A press conference is planned later in the week to discuss the next step to be taken by the GOP grassroots leadership. More information will follow.

In the meantime, three participants are available for comment and interview.

Vanessa Cahill and Kay Fischer are GOP supporters from Corpus Christi, a county whose convention is alleged to have some of the worst election-law abuses. They filed local legal action last week. Robert Johnson is a professional parliamentarian and expert on Texas Election Law.

To arrange an interview with Ms. Cahill, Ms. Fischer or Mr. Johnson, please contact Debra Medina at 979-253-0220.

Press Conference Expected This Week - Experts Available Now for
Interview