Nathan Macias Is Running for State Representative in the 73rd Legislative District of Texas.  (Conservatives Are Ready to Fire State Representative Carter Casteel)
 

Commentary by South Texas Republicans: The two messages below are from the Nathan Macias campaign. The 73rd district covers 4 counties: Comal, Bandera, Kendall and Gillespie. Friends, get ready for one bloody primary battle in the Hill Country. This one is going to get good because an assortment of conservatives have said enough is enough. It is time to retire State Representative Carter Casteel once and for all. The political machine behind Nathan Macias is absolutely incredible. Mr. Macias has some important friends in Austin based on what we have seen. (They could probably invade a small country if you sent them to Central America with arms. Yes, they are playing to win.)

This race is very significant because it will indicate what kind of political muscle conservatives can flex in the Hill Country. An assortment of social conservatives, Toll party activists, and key players in Austin have a decent shot at taking this seat back. (Isn’t State Representative Carter Casteel a Republican? Conservatives would beg to differ.) Okay, amigos, you heard it here first. Buckle your seats because this race is already getting personal and nasty. This is textbook Texas hardball politics in all its glory.

Nathan Macias' Campaign Website

NATHAN MACIAS TO RUN FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE

Retired 20-year Air Force veteran files in the House District 73 Republican Primary

Bulverde, TX - Nathan Macias, a decorated 20-year Lt. Colonel of the United States Air Force, filed today with the Republican Party to run for State Representative in the 73rd Legislative District of Texas. In the Global War on Terror, Macias commanded an Expeditionary Mission Support Group in the Middle East during Operation Enduring Freedom and the build-up to Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“The voters in this district deserve a strong leader who will stand up for our conservative values,” said Macias. “After retiring from the Air Force, I’m eager to continue my history of service as a representative, and deliver the kind of servant leadership the people of Texas deserve.” 

“I will work for lower taxes and fight to eliminate wasteful spending, so that families can keep more of what they earn,” he said. Macias is also making education a top priority, because he believes that every child deserves the opportunity to learn in a good, safe school. 

“And as a veteran who defended this nation for 20 years, I know first-hand the importance of strong border security in order to keep terrorists out and stop the flow of illegal aliens into this nation,” Macias said.

While in the Air Force, Macias commanded the 436th Civil Engineer Squadron at Dover Air Force Base, where he was responsible for the initial screening of the victims of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon for explosive ordnance and chemical/biological detection.

Nathan’s military decorations include the Joint Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, and the Air Force Achievement Medal.  

A native Texan, Nathan is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where he was a distinguished Air Force ROTC student and a leader in the Ross Volunteers. He graduated in 1982 with a degree in Civil Engineering and also holds two Master Degrees, in Business and Public Administration. 

He is currently Vice President of Boyd/Kleypas & Associates, a marketing and communications agency, where he has experienced the challenges and opportunities facing today’s small business leaders.   

Nathan and his wife Susan have been married 21 years and have seven children. Committed to community service, Nathan has served as a Youth Center Baseball Coach and Assistant Track Coach. The Macias’ live in Bulverde and attend Bulverde Fellowship where Nathan volunteers as a leader and Bible teacher. 

CASTEEL PLOTS NEGATIVE CAMPAIGN

Bulverde, TX – Carter Casteel is personally plotting a negative campaign against her Republican opponent, retired Lt. Colonel Nathan Macias according to a purported Casteel memo where she outlines her attack strategy.

In what appears to be an internal campaign document, Casteel says Macias, a decorated veteran who served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force “has no record of service in the community.”

“It is sad to see Carter Casteel plot her negative campaign,” said Macias. “But more disappointing than anything she could say about me, is her insinuation that military service is not something to be valued as service to the community,” he said. “I was proud to serve and sacrifice for my community through my time in the military. It was an honor to do whatever I was assigned to do around the globe so that my fellow Texans could live and prosper here at home.”

The memo also shows she intends to attack Macias as one who is “owned.” 

“I have always had to work hard to earn what I have achieved. I attended Texas A&M on an ROTC scholarship and was proud to serve my country for 20 years in the U.S. Air Force,” he said.  “Nobody owns me and my votes will always be consistent with the conservative principles of the district. It is disheartening to think that a sitting state representative would even contemplate such a mean spirited charge,” Macias said.

In a December 16th Herald-Zeitung article Casteel stated, “I intend to run a good, clean campaign, I’ve never run a negative campaign, and I won’t start now. I’m too old.” “It is evident, based upon this document, that she was not being honest with voters when she promised to ‘run a good, clean campaign,’” Macias said.

Speaker: Bobby Eberle, Director of GOPUSA.com

Did you know GOPUSA reaches 500,000 conservatives every day by e-mail?

Date: Jan. 18th (Wednesday)

Time: Networking Reception and Dinner (on your own): 6:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Program:  7 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.

Location:  Karam's Mexican Dining Room, 121 N. Zarzamora, San Antonio; (210-433-0111)

Cost: FREE!

Please R.S.V.P. to Schuylar Crist at skyskyrider@hotmail.com today.

GOPUSA Mission Statement

The mission of GOPUSA is to spread the conservative message throughout America.

Westside Republicans Logo Courtesy of Robert Sanchez
 

Graham Weston is hosting a fundraiser for Grace Kunde on Wednesday January 18, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Weston Centre in downtown San Antonio. [Mr. Weston founded Rackspace in San Antonio, Texas.]

For information regarding the fundraiser please call Suzanne Bellsnyder @ 512 804-1106.
 

South Texas Republicans is offering Republicans and non-traditional voters another opportunity to get involved in Senate District 26. Justice Phylis Speedlin of the 4th Court of Appeals has agreed to be our inaugural guest speaker. Nelson Balido, Candidate for State Representative, will also be at this event. We will post more information about this function in upcoming newsletters. Many thanks to our donors for making this grassroots outreach possible.

Please contact Schuylar Crist skyskyrider@hotmail.com if you are interested in getting involved in this new organization.
 

December 30, 2005

I have been extremely honored to serve as your judge in the 150th District Court for the past 11 years and I want to thank you for your support during that time. I am writing this letter because it appears I will have an opponent in the upcoming election and in order to mount a respectable campaign I must ask for your help.   

Due to the immediacy of the situation, I do not have time to send by mail a request for your participation as a host in my upcoming fundraiser. I hope you will accept my appeal by email this time. I am planning a fundraiser January 19 at the Club Giraud from 5:30 until 7:00 p.m. and would like to include you in the host list on my invitation. 

Please reply by email as soon as possible as your sponsorship is extremely important to the success of my campaign. Thank you for your faithful support; I look forward to continuing to serve the people of Bexar County for another four years.

Sincerely,         

Judge Janet Littlejohn

Canyon Lake Republican Women will host Daniel Mezza, Regional Director for Senator John Cornyn and UTSA Political Science professor, at our meeting on January 18, 2006.  We meet at the CRRC Resource Room, in Sattler, Texas, FM 2673, just off FM 306 (turn at the River), at 10 a.m. Refreshments served.

Alamo City Republican Women Membership Drive. Tuesday, February 21, 2006: Special Guest U.S. Senator John Cornyn – 11:00 a.m. at the home of Marilyn & Dr. Day McNeel, 119 E. Kings Hwy.   

Advice from South Texas Republicans:  Friends, we are providing some advice about this event. ACRW members will only pay $10 to attend (what a bargain to see a U.S. Senator) and guests will pay $35. We suggest that you join ACRW for $25 and send a $10 check for the event.  In 2006, you will be a member of ACRW and receive all their newsletters in this important election year. (This is such an incredible bargain for only $35.)

The membership form can be found here: http://www.acrwomen.org/JoinUs.html.

Try to send your $35 check ASAP because this event will probably sell out two weeks before the event. 

Kendall County Republican Women

Cordially invite you to attend our annual

Lincoln Day Luncheon 

February 4, 2006

Fair Oaks Ranch Golf & Country Club

7900 Fair Oaks Parkway

The Ballroom
 

Please meet and welcome

The Honorable John Cornyn

United States Senator

From Texas
 

11:00 Reception and Cash Bar

11:45 am Luncheon

COST:    $25.00 per person 

Your RSVP should be received by February 1st

You may mail your check to:

KCRW  -  P O Box 122  -  Boerne, TX  78006

Or you may call:

Jackie Liberto  830 537-5715 or Cookie Edwards  830 285-3314
 

Congressman Lamar Smith of South Texas will present the “John Tower Leadership Award” to Teddy Peterson. We invite you to be part of this special evening.

Alamo City Republican Women is helping South Texas Republicans organize this event. We would like to thank them for their volunteer hours.

Sponsors: Art Rossi

Date:  January 25, 2005 (Wednesday)

Location: THE PLAZA CLUB, 21st Floor of the Frost Bank Building In San Antonio

Reception:  5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Program:  6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Time certain)

Cost:  FREE

Sponsorships:  Silver $20, Gold $50 and Platinum $100

You are invited to a Town Hall meeting featuring: 

George Antuna, John Lujan & Steve Salyer – Candidates For State Representative District 118

Location: Grady’s Bar-B-Que, 6919 South Zarzamora, San Antonio

Date: January 21  (Saturday)

Time: Networking Reception and Lunch (on your own): 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Program:  12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. (Time Certain)

Cost: FREE

Sponsorships:  Silver $10, Gold $20 and Platinum $50

Please R.S.V.P. to Schuylar Crist at skyskyrider@hotmail.com today.

Joe Solis, SREC 26 and South Texas Republicans are proud to launch our third club in Senate District 26. Westside Republicans was established in 2004. Balcones Heights Republicans was set up in 2005. We continue to reach out to new non-traditional voters in the district.

Logo courtesy of Robert Sanchez. (“The star came from a photo I took at the World War II Memorial in D.C.” – Robert Sanchez)
 

We've already outlined all the reasons why the US 281 toll road project is a DOUBLE TAX because it converts an existing FREEWAY into a toll way. If that's not outrageous enough, our lawsuit demonstrated how TxDOT didn't do their homework and rushed this project through thinking they wouldn't get caught. Working together with (oft times unlikely) partners in a cross-partisan effort to stop the tolling of existing highways, People For Efficient Transportation (legal arm of Texas Toll

Party) and AGUA (Aquifer Guardians) along with many individual plaintiffs, have beaten the establishment and unraveled a "done deal!" The Federal Highway Administration, who is also named in our lawsuit, took one look at all of TxDOT's missteps and has withdrawn their environmental clearance for 281 and is forcing TxDOT to perform a better assessment (and hopefully with our help a full IMPACT STATEMENT) of the impact of a 16 lane toll corridor right up against homes and over our sole source of water!

Most importantly, they're requiring more public hearings which will lead to putting more alternatives on the table, like using TxDOT's own original plan for 281 to put 4 overpasses at the stop lights and get traffic moving. The original plan is less expensive, less invasive and quicker than the toll plan, AND it doesn't DOUBLE TAX us for an existing FREEway or put storefronts out of business. POWER TO THE PEOPLE!
 

The war of words and style continues as the two Bexar County Democratic Party Chair challengers square off. Many mainstream Democrats are scrambling to stay clear of the impending melee, by sitting on the sidelines waiting for the smoke to clear. Early odds, however, are that former Bexar County Tejano Democrats leader Carla Vela will best the trash-talking Westside ACLU trustee, Dan Ramos. Vela has already secured her first major endorsement from Labor.

This past week, other contested candidates in the Democratic Primary vied for labor endorsements. Longtime incumbent County Commissioner Precinct 2 Paul Elizondo was denied the coveted endorsement because the Bexar County Sheriff’s Deputies successfully challenged the two-thirds majority needed to secure labor’s support. The Sheriff’s Deputies have made the campaign a personal vendetta against Elizondo, and have even staged demonstrations at Elizondo’s events, which is causing major friction within labor’s ranks.

State Senator Frank Madla suffered the same fate as Elizondo in his quest for the union endorsement over State Rep. Carlos Uresti. Madla is accused of voting with the Republicans on key issues to Democrats.

Media darling Juvenile Judge Peter Sakai took one step closer to landing his parties nomination by overwhelmingly securing labor’s backing over local attorney Ralph Lopez. It is believed many Southside and Westside voters however, will confuse him with the popular Sheriff Ralph Lopez. This could skew support for the popular juvenile Judge who is Japanese and married to a Southside Hispanic administrator in the Harlandale School District.

In the State Rep. race for the 118th, four Democrats and three Republicans will face off for what many believe will be an interesting and lively campaign. With two Anglos in the race, one on each side, look to see both eliminated in the first round. Given a choice, Southside will normally opt in favor of the Hispanic candidate over an Anglo more times than not. No candidate received labor’s endorsement.

Labor embraced longtime and well-liked Southside incumbent JP Edmundo Zaragoza, who will face perennial candidate Jay Alaniz. Still yet another reason for Southsiders to flock to the polls.

County Court-at-Law #6 incumbent Phil Meyer is attempting to fend off challenger Ray Olivarri. If successful, the fight is not over, since he faces a strong challenge from the Republicans.  In County Court-at-Law #8, long time Judge Karen Crouch will defend her bench against an unknown, Pat Montgomery. A win by Crouch assures her the seat.

Oscar Kazen, the highly popular County Court-at- Law #9 Judge will face a challenge from Laura Lee Salinas, another unknown. His win also assures him he will be returned to his bench. Meyer, Crouch and Kazen were shoo-ins for labor’s seal of approval. 

Another battle is brewing on the Eastside for Justice of the Peace, Pct. 4. Albert McKnight is fighting to keep his seat against labor-backed Linda Penn who filled in for McKnight while the Judge successfully defended himself against lewdness charges stemming from an incident that occurred in a park with an undercover agent. However, the status of McKnight’s ability to stay on the ballot is in question. In the next few weeks, a Judge will determine whether his name remains on the ballot. It is possible the contest may be over before it heats up, or not. Penn wins by default if McKnight is left off the ballot, since there is no Republican opposition.

As the battle for various offices take shape in Bexar County in the Democratic Primary, continue to keep an eye to the South for a highly anticipated turnout. Many political futures will be determined on that side of town. Only time will tell.  

That’s the moderate viewpoint. I am the Republicrat. 

(Next week: fireworks)
 

The Plaza Club * Board Room

2100 Frost Bank Tower

San Antonio, Texas

For more information or to reply, please contact Susan Lilly at 866-789-9223 or by email at susan@lillyandcompany.com.
 

Mix N' Mingle with NRA-ILA Staff & Fellow NRA Members

Help Pro-Gun Candidates

How often do you get the opportunity to mix n' mingle with NRA-ILA Headquarters staff and fellow NRA members in your area, to earn FREE NRA items, and to assist with the efforts of pro-gun candidates seeking  office in your area? Well, on Saturday, February 25, you will have that opportunity and it will cost you NOTHING!

Please join NRA-ILA Headquarters staff, your fellow NRA members, and U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar and his campaign team for a few hours of socializing and protecting freedom.

This FREE NRA-ILA Grassroots "Mix N' Mingle" will be held:

Saturday, February 25

10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

National Skeet & Shooting Association (Natl. Shooting Complex)

5931 Rofte Road

San Antonio, TX 78253

(210) 688-3371

Cost: FREE (includes food, beverage, materials, NRA fraternal items)

To reserve your seat for this event, please click here.
 

When the Texas Concealed Handgun Law took effect in 1996, pundits and naysayers predicted anarchy. Any minute, there would surely be mass violence as armed Texas citizens began roving the streets settling arguments with gunfire.  Certainly, several proclaimed, within a year there would be blood in the streets as Texas returned to the days of the Wild West.

Ten years later the facts paint a different picture. Texas under the Concealed Handgun Law isn’t the Wild West, but the Mild West. No recurrent shootouts at four-way stops, no blood in the streets. Quite the contrary, Texans are safer than ever before.

But why are we safer? Why did the fears of the naysayers fail to materialize?

One of the reasons I authored Senate Bill 60, the Concealed Handgun Law, was because I trust my fellow Texans. Contrary to opinions expressed on almost every editorial page across the state, I knew that when law-abiding Texans’ constitutional right to keep and bear arms was restored with the passage of S.B. 60, they would exercise good judgment and behave responsibly.

Ten years later, and the statistics continue to prove the point.

Since the passage of the Concealed Handgun Law, the FBI Uniform Crime Report shows an 18% drop in handgun murders, down from 838 in 1995 to 688 in 2004. And a 32% drop in handgun murders per 100,000 population, down from 4.5 murders per 100,000 Texans in 1995 to 3.08 per 100,000 in 2004.

In 2000, on the fifth anniversary of the Concealed Handgun Law, the National Center for Policy Analysis issued a report that indicated Texans with concealed carry permits are far less likely to commit a serious crime than the average citizen.

According to the report, the more than 200,000 Texans licensed to carry a concealed firearm are much more law-abiding than the average person.

The report illustrated that Texans who exercise their right to carry firearms are 5.7 times less likely to be arrested for a violent offense. They are 14 times less likely to be arrested for a non-violent offense. And they are 1.4 times less likely to be arrested for murder.

H. Sterling Burnett, a senior policy analyst at the NCPA and the author of the report, concluded:

“Many predicted that minor incidents would escalate into bloody shootouts if Texas passed a concealed-carry law. That prediction was dead wrong,” Burnett said. With 247,345 concealed handgun licenses active in Texas as of December 2005, the number of law-abiding licensees has had a positive effect on the crime rate. 

Texas Department of Public Safety Uniform Crime Report indicates the overall crime rate in Texas has continued to drop over the past 10 years. In 1997, DPS reported 5,478 crimes per 100,000 Texans, based on a population of 19,355,427 Texans. In 2004, with almost 3 million more Texans, the crime rate is 5,032 per 100,000.

The effect of the Concealed Handgun Law has been so positive, it has converted some of its most outspoken initial critics.

John Holmes, former Harris County district attorney, wrote to me several years after the passage of the law.

“As you know, I was very outspoken in my opposition to the passage of the Concealed Handgun Act. I did not feel that such legislation was in the public interest and presented a clear and present danger to law abiding citizens by placing more handguns on our streets,” Holmes wrote. “Boy was I wrong. Our experience in Harris County, and indeed state-wide, has proven my initial fears absolutely groundless.”

Glenn White, president of the Dallas Police Association, shared this view. “I lobbied against the law in 1993 and 1995 because I thought it would lead to wholesale armed conflict. That hasn't happened,” White told the Dallas Morning News. “All the horror stories I thought would come to pass didn't happen. No bogeyman. I think it's worked out well, and that says good things about the citizens who have permits. I'm a convert.”

To the supporters of individual liberty and the constitutional right to keep and bear arms, this outcome is no surprise. However, the Concealed Handgun Law isn’t just about personal safety. Perhaps even deeper than its roots in constitutional freedom, the Concealed Handgun Law is about trust.

And after ten years, the Concealed Handgun Law is a shining example of what happens when elected officials have faith in their fellow Texans.

The legacy of Senate Bill 60 is grounded in the concept that our government should place its trust in us, not the other way around.

JERRY PATTERSON is the 27th Texas Land Commissioner and author of Senate Bill 60 the Concealed Handgun Law.

 The Texas Insider is a nonpartisan, tax-exempt, educational publication that brings focus to the most difficult issues facing Texas and the nation. Our publication is made possible solely through the generosity of our readers. Please consider making a tax-deductible gift to support our important mission.

Contact us at:  1000 Brazos, Suite 100, Austin, TX. 78701-- Office: 512-225-5883, Fax: 512-476-5909.
 

BREAKING NEWS:  The Rough Riders of Bexar County Invite You To A Northeast Town Hall Meeting for 118th State Representative Candidates (Bexar County- City of Live Oak)

Date: Wednesday, February 1, 2006

Location:  The Rough Rider Room at the Live Oak Civic Center, 8101 Pat Booker Road, Live Oak, Texas 78233-2600, 210-653-9494 www.ci.live-oak.tx.us 

Time:  6:00 p.m. till 8:30 p.m.

Cost: FREE

Special Bonus:  PIZZA PARTY after the meeting!!!!

Rough Rider Logo courtesy of Robert Sanchez
 

Small Business Owners for Steve Salyer

6:00 to 8:00 PM

Gretalia Coffee House and Deli

2211 N.W. Military Hwy

Suite 131 in San Antonio

Please contact South Texas Republicans if you are interested in attending. We are attempting to fill a table. 

Invited guests include Mrs. Ronald Reagan, former President and Mrs. George H.W. Bush, former Attorney General Edwin Meese, former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Michael Deaver, former Treasury Secretary James A. Baker, and the other members of the Reagan Cabinet and Administration. 

Additionally, invitations are being extended to many of the national Republican political figures who are considering seeking the Presidency in 2008. This event will highlight the accomplishments of the Reagan-Bush era and allow Reaganites to come together and celebrate the years of accomplishment that marked Ronald Reagan’s leadership of America as our 40th President.

Sally Aiello, Executive Director, Travis County Republican Party, 7801 N. Lamar Blvd, Suite A123, Austin, TX  78736, 512-431-0964

www.TravisCountyGOP.org
 

Location: GVTC Auditorium, time: 6:00 p.m. 

For information call Patti Johnson at 830-935-4142