Hard Hitting Conservative Commentary by Gary M. Polland
Volume XXIV Number 8 – August 26, 2025
THIS EDITION OF TCR BROUGHT TO YOU BY YOUR NAME HERE
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Political and Campaign Newswire
By Marc Cowart
Managing Editor
REST IN PEACE DR. JAMES DOBSON
April 21, 1936 – August 21, 2025
Focus on the Family founder, Dr. James Dobson passed on August 21, 2025 at the age of 89.
To view the Focus on the Family tribute page with a detailed list of Dr. Dobson’s many accomplishments, CLICK HERE.
“Our only hope as a nation is to return to the scriptural underpinnings on which our laws, our understanding of morality, and the institution of family are based.” – Dr. James Dobson
REST IN PEACE MIKE DUGAS
March 4, 1940 – July 18, 2025
The conservative community has lost a true conservative pioneer and grassroots warrior with the passing of Mike Dugas. All of us at TCR had the pleasure of working alongside Mike in the 1990’s at the Harris County Republican Party when Gary Polland served as Chairman and I as Executive Director. Jeff Yates and I had the privilege of working with Mike even earlier as members of the Harris County Republican Party Executive Committee where Mike was a longtime Senatorial District (SD) Chairman, serving two different SDs. Mike fought for the conservative values he believed in. Mike was passionate. Sometimes, too passionate, but his passion will be missed. Rest in Peace, Mike.
NEWLY DRAWN TEXAS CONGRESSIONAL MAPS
HEADED TO GOV. ABBOTT FOR SIGNATURE
Despite the failed attempt by the cowardly Democrat Texas House members to derail redistricting, the Texas House and Senate have both approved the Plan C2333 maps which have been sent to Governor Abbott who has promised to enact the plan swiftly. An image of the plan is shown below as well as a link to the interactive map which allows the viewer to zoom in for a detailed view of each district.
VIEW THE INTERACTIVE MAP OF THE APPROVED LINES HERE
The Texas tribune has an interesting analysis of Texas redistricting (published prior to the passage of the new maps). See it here: Texas redistricting map: How the GOP could increase its stronghold
As expected, a lawsuit has already been filed contesting the new lines, even before Governor Abbott has officially approved them.
Read the Texas Tribune story here.
THE RACE FOR THE NEWLY DRAWN
CD-9 DRAWS TWO CANDIDATES
Following the Texas House approval of the newly minted congressional districts, State Representative Briscoe Cain immediately announced that he would give up his seat, State Representative District 128, to seek the Republican nomination for the 9th Congressional District. Read the Texas Tribune coverage of Cain’s announcement here. Cain is a well-known and beloved conservative who will be hard to beat. Despite that fact, Alexander Moral Mealer tossed her hat into the ring on Monday, August 25. Mealer previously ran for Harris County Judge and lost to Lina Hidalgo. Read the Houston Chronicle’s story regarding the Mealer announcement here. There will no doubt be other contenders, but whether or not they will be as formidable as Cain and Mealer remains to be seen. In full disclosure, TCR has already joined Briscoe Cain’s long list of endorsements. A full endorsement editorial will be coming soon. Cain will speak at next week’s Kingwood Tea Party meeting on September 4th at 6:30 p.m. at Tin Roof Barbeque located at 18918 Town Center Blvd in Humble.
SPEAKING OF HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE…
The race for Harris County Judge is also heating up early. Former Harris County Treasurer Orlando Sanchez and HFD Union President Marty Lancton both announced for the seat in recent days. So far, Lancton is leading in the endorsement war, with a roster of supporters too long to list here. One significant endorsement comes from Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale who backed Alexander Mealer for the seat four years ago. Houston Chronicle story here. In addition to Sanchez and Lancton, the other notable candidate is Piney Point Mayor Aliza Dutt who entered the race months ago. As far as we have been able to find, the only candidate with a website is Dutt (https://www.teamdutt.com/) which is not surprising considering Dutt’s head start. Conservatives are hopeful that this is the year they can retake County Judge and at least one of the two Harris County Commissioners seats up for grabs which are county commissioner precincts two and four. US Army veteran and businessman Richard Vega (richardvega.us) has announced his candidacy for Precinct Two, but we haven’t heard any names for Precinct Four to challenge incumbent Democrat Lesley Briones. If Republicans could take the County Judge and one Commissioners Precinct they could retake control of Commissioners Court and begin the journey of restoring sanity and responsibility to Harris County.
ENDORSEMENT NEWS
SENATOR TED CRUZ ENDORSES CHIP ROY FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL
KEN PAXTON ENDORSES AARON REITZ
In answer to Cruz’s endorsement of Chip Roy for the AG seat, current Texas Attorney General and US Senate candidate Ken Paxton endorsed Aaron Reitz for the job.
THE WORLD’S HYPOCRISY REGARDING GAZA IN A NUTSHELL
As seen on Facebook in a post by Ali Tabrizi:
NEED MORE NEWS? TRY THESE GREAT RESOURCES!
Matt Mackowiak’s Must Read Texas
CARTOON OF THE WEEK
TCR IS INTERVIEWING CANDIDATES
The Texas Conservative Review is interviewing prospective candidates for the November 4, 2025 and March 3, 2026 Republican Primary elections for potential endorsement. Candidates who wish to be considered for endorsement by TCR should schedule an interview by contacting Marc Cowart by phone at 832-282-2175 or by emailing [email protected].
EVENTS CALENDAR
Click link for full details
August 27 | 11:00 a.m. Village Republican Women August Meeting
August 28 | 5:00 p.m. Moms for Liberty
September 2 | 11:30 a.m. Greater Houston Pachyderm Club
September 4 | 6:30 p.m. Kingwood Tea Party with speaker Briscoe Cain
September 6 |10:00 a.m. Judicial Petition Signing
September 8 | 5:30p.m. CPAC-Houston
September 9 | 7:30 a.m. Pachyderm Club of Northwest Houston
September 9 | 6:00 p.m. Texas Tea Party of Republican Women
September 10 | 11:00 a.m. Magic Circle Luncheon with Governor Greg Abbott
September 11 | 11:00 a.m. Cypress Republicans Monthly Meeting
September 18 | 6:30 p.m. San Jacinto Conservatives HQ Opening
September 19 | 6:00 p.m. Texas Youth Summit
September 20 | 7:00 a.m. Texas Youth Summit
To submit an event please email [email protected]
ELECTION CALENDAR
November 4, 2025: General Election (CD 18 and SD 9 for example)
January 1, 2025: First day to apply for a ballot by mail for any 2025 election
July 19, 2025: First day to file for a place on the November 4, 2025 General Election
August 18, 2025: Last day to file for a place on the November 4, 2025 General Election
October 6, 2025: Last day to register to vote in the November 4, 2025 General Election
October 20, 2025: First day of Early Voting for the November 4, 2025 General Election
October 31, 2025: Last day of Early Voting for the November 4, 2025 General Election
November 4, 2025: Election Day
March 3, 2026: Primary Election
January 1, 2026: First day to apply for a ballot by mail for any 2026 election
September 9, 2025: First day to file for Precinct Chairman for the March 3, 2026 Primary Election
November 8, 2025: First day to file for all other offices for the March 3, 2026 Primary Election
December 8, 2025: Last day to file for a place on the ballot for the March 3, 2026 Primary Election
February 2, 2025: Last day to register to vote in the March 3, 2026 Primary Election
February 17, 2026: First day of Early Voting for the March 3, 2026 Primary Election
February 20, 2026: Last day to apply for a ballot by mail for the March 3, 2026 Primary Election
February 27, 2026: Last day of Early Voting for the March 3, 2026 Primary Election
March 3, 2026: Election Day
May 26, 2026: Primary Runoff Election
April 27, 2026: Last day to register to vote in the May 2, 2026 Primary Runoff Election
May 15, 2026: Last day to apply for a ballot by mail for the May 26, 2026 Primary Runoff Election
May 18, 2026: First day of Early Voting for the May 26, 2026 Primary Runoff Election
May 22, 2026: Last day of Early Voting for the May 26, 2026 Primary Runoff Election
May 26, 2026: Election Day for the 2026 Primary Runoff Election
For information on becoming a candidate on the Republican Primary Election Ballot, visit https://www.harriscountygop.com/run-for-office/
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ADDITIONS, CORRECTIONS OR FEEDBACK?
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About Your Editor
Gary Polland is a long-time conservative and Republican spokesman, fund-raiser, and leader who served three terms as the Harris County Republican Chairman. During his three terms, Gary was described as “the most successful county Chairman in America” by Human Events – The National Conservative Weekly. He is in his twenty-eighth year of editing a newsletter dealing with key conservative and Republican issues. For the last twenty-three years, he has edited the Texas Conservative Review. As a public service for the previous 20 years, Gary has published election guides for the GOP primary, general elections, and city elections, all to assist conservative candidates. Gary also for 20 years cohosted Red, White and Blue on Houston Public Media TV 8 PBS Houston, longest running political talk show in Texas history and for the last four-plus years Gary has been a regular commentator on Fox 26-Houston’s “What’s Your Point” airing Sunday’s at 7 a.m. Gary serves on the Board of Directors of American Values, a national pro-family, pro-faith, conservative organization supporting the unity of the American people around the vision of our founding fathers and dedicated to reminding the public of the conservative principles fundamental to the survival of our nation. Gary is a practicing attorney and strategic consultant. He can be reached at (713) 621-6335.
