From platform apathy to activism in a little over a year

West Texas-based conservative activist Teresa Beckmeyer had an interesting recollection brought to her attention via a "Facebook Memory."

On May 24, 2016, she shared a screenshot of the following tweet from Texas Tribune founder Evan Smith:

Beckmeyer wrote in response: "It's what the grassroots has known for some time---those in positions of influence in the state feel the platform is irrelevant. It's up to the party and its leadership to change that."

Two years later she pointed out: "Hah, this was before James Dickey became RPT Chairman ..."


The Tracker has commented before on what a difference a year can make, especially when it came to Dickey's ascent to the state party chairmanship after one of the strangest upsets in Texas political history just months prior. Add another amazing turnaround to the list:

"It [Smith's tweet] was one year to the day before I announced my candidacy for the first time," Dickey wrote, in a reply to Beckmeyer's more recent post.

Dickey has brought a renewed emphasis to the RPT platform, going as far as to remind legislators which plank (by number) proposed legislation supports or goes against. The state party has not been shy when it comes to calling out activity which defies the voice of the Republican grassroots nor has it refrained from rewarding platform compliance when credit is due.

Dickey, the incumbent, and Cindy Crocker Ashe are the two candidates vying for chairman of the Republican Party of Texas. Delegates will decide who will take the helm for the next two years in mid-June at the Texas GOP Convention.