The STAR Republican News February 2018 Star Republican Women is a federated member club of the Texas Federation of Republican Women and serves members and communities within TFRW Region XI and Texas Senate Districts 22 and 24. In This Issue. . . ​ February Program Details ​ Early Voting Starts Feb. 20 Gennie's Spotlight ​Please Join a Committee Highlights of Trump's Speech Welcome New Members ​Red Shoe Book Club Selection ​SRW Dictionary Project SRW Patrons & Sponsors ​ SRW To Meet February 20 at Quail Point ​ Light Lunch 12:30 p.m. Program 1 p.m. ​​ CLICK HERE for Upcoming GOP Events Calendar SRW Hosts Candidate Forum Feb. 20 Star Republican Women will host a Candidate Forum, Tuesday February 20 for those seeking office in Llano and Burnet Counties. In addition, candidates for U.S. Congressional District 11 -- incumbent Michael Conaway and challenger Paul Myers -- will be at the SRW meeting and available to talk with attendees before and after the Forum. Candidates in contested races will be allowed to speak 3 minutes each and those in uncontested races may speak for 1 minute. Due to the number of candidates participating, questions will not be entertained during the Forum; however, the candidates will be available after the Forum to answer questions. Following is a list of candidates in contested races that plan to participate in the SRW Forum, as well as a few who are uncontested: LLANO COUNTY County Judge: Ronald Cunningham, Mary Cunningham County Clerk: Marci Hadeler, Clay Etter County Treasurer (uncontested): Teresa Kassell County Commissioner, Pct. 2: Linda Raschke, Ricky Johnson (not participating) Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1: Bebe Piatt, Richard Owen Justice of the Peace, Pct. 3 (uncontested): Era Marion BURNET COUNTY County Commissioner, Pct. 2: Damon Beierle, Ryan Rowney, Tom Stephens Justice of the Peace, Pct. 3: Carey Headrick, Jane Marie Hurst, Jeff Sellers (not participating) Early Voting Starts Feb. 20 Early voting for the primary elections begins Tuesday, February 20 and ends March 2. Election day is set for March 6. For a list of all candidates seeking county and state offices, click on the button below or go to: https://webservices.sos.state.tx.us/candidate-filing/cf-report.aspx List of All Candidates for 2018 Primary Elections Gennie's Spotlight Draining the Swamp! Seems that Washington DC is on a roll with news releases, leakages, cover ups, scandals and the list goes on. We wonder how can they possibly keep it all straight being asked questions and what media you want to tell what story to. It is totally mind boggling to most of us. You can watch the circus 24 hours a day and stay as confused as ever. So, what am I concentrating on right now? Our Texas elections and studying our candidates, attending forums and trying to make the right decisions when I go to the polls. That is what I recommend to each and everyone of you. There are so many forums scheduled in the next few weeks in Llano and Burnet County. Take advantage of them and do your homework! You will find them listed in our newsletter, announced at our meetings. Get as informed as possible before you make that final decision. Also, encourage your neighbors and families to vote. Every vote counts! God Bless Texas and the USA ! Gennie Ward, SRW President ​ Get Involved! ​Join a Committee Star Republican Women needs YOU! SRW encourages you to consider joining a committee to contribute your time and talents to help our club grow and continue to get better. At the same time, we know you will have a lot of fun! Please review the list of committees below and contact the chairman of the committee in which you would like to become involved. (Contact information is at the end of this newsletter.) AWARDS – Chairman Charlotte Steindorf Purpose: To encourage SRW to participate in TFRW and NFRW Excellence awards programs. CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES – Chairman Amy Burcham Purpose: To coordinate campaign activities and help elect Republicans. Keeps SRW up to date with information regarding candidates, campaign schedules, platforms and headquarters. Organizes volunteers for GOP County headquarters, helps arrange “Meet the Candidates” forums and reports campaign volunteer hours to TFRW. CARING FOR AMERICA – Chairman Marsha Lovelady Purpose: To identify community needs and select one or more projects for membership involvement. Encourage volunteerism and private sector initiatives as important objectives; and keep volunteers interested and motivated. HOSPITALITY – Chairman Kathy Stahl Purpose: To oversee facility arrangements for each general meeting. To recruit members to provide food and beverages for complimentary luncheon at general meetings. LEGISLATION – Chairman Kathy Hussey Purpose: Helps keep SRW informed about important legislative issues and how members can, as individuals, stay current and lobby on issues effectively. LITERACY COMMITTEE – Chairman Dee Patterson Purpose: To select appropriate books for presentation to public libraries, schools and other organizations in the Hill County and coordinate with TFRW and NFRW to meet requirements so the donations will qualify for awards programs. Host Red Shoe Book Club, selecting books and facilitating discussions. MEMBERSHIP – Vice President Emily Tobin Purpose: To recruit, encourage and mentor new members. Provide nametags for each member and keep an updated and current roster of all members. NEWSLETTER – Editor Mary Lou Kromer Purpose: To compile a newsletter to provide timely information to members about club events and activities. PROGRAMS – Vice President Denise Rives Purpose: To provide programs/speakers who will showcase Republican principles and issues; attract new members and maintain existing members; educate and keep members updated on issues of local, state and national importance. Make meeting facility arrangements. PUBLIC RELATIONS – Mary Lou Kromer Purpose: To provide information and photos to local media outlets in a timely manner to gain recognition of SRW activities and promote membership and participation. To publish a directory of SRW members in all categories, a list of elected officials serving SRW membership and SRW club governance documents. WAYS & MEANS – Chairman Marion Gardner Purpose: To develop and execute fundraising events for SRW and promote member participation. Americans are Dreamers, Too President Donald Trump delivered his first State of the Union Address on January 30, 2018, sending a strong message that it’s all about “We the people.” We the people achieving the American Dream, standing united, supporting and building a strong military, immigration control, continuing the war against drugs and prosperity for all. President Trump spoke about the economy being strong and at a 17 year high, and that workers are feeling the benefits of tax cuts, American wages are on the rise and unemployment numbers for African Americans and Hispanic Americans are at all time-lows. President Trump’s vision of building a safe infrastructure of roads, bridges and waterways with true American Grit will put the dignity of a hard day’s work back into the American spirit turning dependence into independence and poverty into prosperity. President Trump wants to introduce legislation to work with ICE and Border Patrol to fix the MS13 and criminal gang problems to protect all citizens regardless of race, color, religion and background. He wants to fight the drug epidemic getting tougher on drug dealers and pushers. He introduced his Immigration Reform Package with a four-step Pillar Plan: 1) A defined path to Citizenship through work programs, education and good moral character 2) Securing the Border: keeping America safe, building a wall, ending catch and release 3) Eliminate the Visa Lottery Program making entry into this country based on skills and love and respect for this country 4) End Chain Immigration, limit the number of relatives to spouses and minor children. New Rules of Engagements have been introduced into the Military. We no longer tell our enemies our plans. We are showing our strength abroad. We are working with our allies to extinguish ISIS. President Trump identified terrorists and ‘unlawful enemy combatants.” He announced that Gitmo will remain open and is re-examining policies to detain terrorists. President Trump delivered a positive message that freedom stands tall, that it is the people who have built this country, it is We the People who are Making America Great Again. It’s about Faith and Family, not government and bureaucracy. Our Motto is and will always be “In God We Trust. Kathy Hussey, Legislation Committee Chairman ​ Don't Forget To Renew! It's that time again to renew your membership with Star Republican Women and Texas Federation of Republican Women. Dues are $25 for members and $15 for associates. Remember, your spouse can join as an associate member and attend all of our meetings. Please click on the button below and download the 2018 Membership Form and bring to our next meeting or mail to the address noted on the form. We encourage you to invite your friends and family members to join as well! Emily Tobin, VP of Membership ​ 2018 SRW Membership Form Please Report Your Volunteer Hours! Star Republican Women were busy volunteering for a variety of activities during the last three months of 2017. Please report your hours so we can record them with the Texas Federation of Republican Women to help us win awards and recognition for Star Republican Women!! Send your hours to: [email protected] Amy Burcham, Chairman Campaign Activities Committee Welcome New Members & Associates MEMBERS: Genna Harris Debbie Lambert ASSOCIATES: Reagan Lambert Red Shoe Book Club To Meet March 27 Star Republican Women's Red Shoe Book Club will meet Tuesday, March 27, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Lantana Room at the Horseshoe Bay Resort. The featured book will be "The Little Paris Bookshop"