February 21, 2012

Contact: Tony McDonald, Senior Vice Chairman
Mobile: (512) 923-6893
Email: tony.mcdonald@yahoo.com

Austin, TX—Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) expressed disappointment today in Representative Todd Smith’s decision not to run for the state senate.  Smith had reportedly been considering running in either Senate District 9 or 10.  However, the news website PushJunction reported today that Smith will not seek higher office.

“There will be another filing period and we’re hoping Representative Smith will reconsider his decision,” said Tony McDonald, YCT Senior Vice Chairman.  “We were very excited that Representative Smith might run for senate and lose, so that we could get him out of the Texas House.”

Smith performed in the bottom 10% of Republicans in the Texas House, earning a 61 on YCT’s ratings of the 82nd Texas Legislature.  On two occasions he sided with the Democrats to support raiding the state’s economic stabilization fund to encourage increased government spending.

Smith is being challenged for reelection to the Texas House by Jonathan Stickland, a Tarrant county small business owner .  YCT has endorsed Stickland in his campaign to unseat the eight-term incumbent.

“Jonathan Stickland is a principled conservative leader who will represent the interests of voters in House District 92,” said Jeff Morris, YCT State Chairman.  “Todd Smith should get out of Stickland’s way by running for the Senate and losing.”

However, despite Smith’s decision, YCT expressed optimism about the election.

“If Todd Smith won’t get out of the way, conservatives will just have to beat him the old fashioned way,” added Mr. McDonald.  “As the voters of House District 92 become more aware of Todd Smith’s liberal record, we know that they will elect a true conservative, Jonathan Stickland, to be their next representative.”

Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) has been promoting conservatism at universities across the Lone Star State for over three decades. The state’s most active political youth organization, YCT is composed of hundreds of members and alumni who participate in the full spectrum of politics. YCT issues the most respected ratings of the Texas legislature and is the only conservative group to have done so without interruption over the past 19 legislative sessions. For an up-to-date list of all of YCT’s endorsements, please visit www.yct.org/endorsements.

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February 21, 2012

Contact: Tony McDonald, Senior Vice Chairman
Mobile: (512) 923-6893
Email: tony.mcdonald@yahoo.com

AUSTIN — Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) today endorsed Ron Simmons for State Representative in House District 65, a Denton County district where Rep. Burt Solomons is not seeking re-election.

“I’ve had the opportunity to meet personally with Ron and gain insights into his conservative principles and why he is seeking this position.  I’m very impressed with his commitment to work for efficient, limited government on behalf of the people of Texas,” said Jeff Morris, YCT State Chairman.

“During these tough economic times, it is important that we have leaders who will hold the line and fight against increased government spending and higher taxes,” said Tony McDonald, YCT Senior Vice Chairman. “I am confident that Ron Simmons will be a strong leader for conservative values in Austin.”

In response to the endorsement, Simmons said, “I appreciate the support and dedication of the Young Conservatives of Texas.   During this time in history, it’s reassuring to have patriots like those affiliated with YCT to accept the generational transfer of conservatism and ensure its continuance and growth in the future.”

A businessman, entrepreneur, and family man, Ron Simmons co-founded Retirement Advisors of America (RAA) and continues to serve as its Chairman.   More information on his background and qualifications can be found at www.ronsimmons.com.

Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) has been promoting conservatism at universities across the Lone Star State for over three decades. The state’s most active political youth organization, YCT is composed of hundreds of members and alumni who participate in the full spectrum of politics. YCT issues the most respected ratings of the Texas legislature and is the only conservative group to have done so without interruption over the past 19 legislative sessions. For an up-to-date list of all of YCT’s endorsements, please visit www.yct.org/endorsements.

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February 21, 2012

Contact: Tony McDonald, Senior Vice Chairman
Mobile: (512) 923-6893
Email: tony.mcdonald@yahoo.com

AUSTIN — Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) today endorsed Matt Rinaldi for State Representative in House District 115.  Mr. Rinaldi is seeking the Republican nomination for the open Dallas County seat currently held by State Rep. Jim Jackson, who is retiring.

“After looking at all of the candidates in this race, it is clear that Matt Rinaldi is the conservative choice and a favorite of the strong grassroots movement in North Texas. With a proven conservative record and the support of the community, Matt will be enabled to execute his vision of limited government in the Texas House,” said Jeff Morris, YCT State Chairman.

“We were all very impressed with Matt Rinaldi when we had a chance to meet with him,” said Tony McDonald, YCT Senior Vice Chairman.   “Not only does he understand and profess the conservative values which we all agree this state needs, he has a proven record of fighting for them. Matt Rinaldi is exactly the sort of leader that conservative voters not only need, but deserve.”

Rinaldi commented, “I am excited that YCT is supporting me in my fight for limited government, lower taxes, and individual liberty in the State of Texas.  As State Representative, I will be honored to stand alongside these young and enthusiastic conservative leaders.”

Matt Rinaldi has been active in Republican politics for approximately 20 years.  As a student at James Madison University, he made national news for his efforts to have the Pledge of Allegiance recited before student government meetings.  Rinaldi attended James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Economics.  He continued his studies at Boston University School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, in 2001.   An attorney, Matt has provided legal commentary on FoxNews Radio affiliate stations throughout the country.   More information on his background and candidacy can be found at www.MattRinaldi.com.

Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) has been promoting conservatism at universities across the Lone Star State for over three decades. The state’s most active political youth organization, YCT is composed of hundreds of members and alumni who participate in the full spectrum of politics. YCT issues the most respected ratings of the Texas legislature and is the only conservative group to have done so without interruption over the past 19 legislative sessions. For an up-to-date list of all of YCT’s endorsements, please visit www.yct.org/endorsements.

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Senior Vice Chairman, Tony McDonald, and Director of Internal Affairs, Tyler Norris discuss the process behind Young Conservatives of Texas’ legislative ratings. Learn more about how we develop our ratings, why we rate members of the Texas legislature, new innovations used in drafting our 82^nd legislative ratings, and more.

Our ratings are found at ‪http://www.yct.org/ratings/

February 7, 2012

Contact: Tony McDonald, Senior Vice Chairman
Mobile: (512) 923-6893
Email: tony.mcdonald@yahoo.com

AUSTIN – Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) is shocked to see the dirty politics playing out in the race for House District 9 (HD9) by challenger Chris Paddie.

On January 14th, YCT mobilized its membership of conservative college activists to help walk blocks for HD9 incumbent and YCT-endorsed candidate for reelection, State Rep. Wayne Christian. Young conservatives from as far away as West Texas joined with a group of local volunteers from the old and new HD9, representing Harrison, Panola, Shelby, and Nacogdoches counties in their ranks. Since the walk, Paddie and supporters of his campaign have been spreading rumors through word-of-mouth and social media that Rep. Wayne Christian has been bringing “strangers” to Harrison County to walk for him.

“I’m no stranger to East Texas,” said Kasey Golden, Center, Texas native and YCT Historian. “I grew up in Shelby County, which has been a part of HD9 my entire life. I can’t believe that someone who wants to represent me in Austin would speak negatively about the hard work of local volunteers and college activists in an attempt to discredit Rep. Christian.”

YCT volunteers, most of whom were current college students, spent their own money to travel across the state and walk with Rep. Wayne Christian and his local supporters. They have endorsed Rep. Christian’s campaign due to his history of championing conservative social and fiscal legislation, as well as his courage to lead on grassroots issues even when they are unpopular in Austin. For over thirty years, YCT has endorsed and supported conservative candidates in this way.

The walk was highly successful, canvassing hundreds of households over two precincts. The response to Rep. Wayne Christian and his proven record was overwhelmingly positive.
“Chris Paddie’s real concern should be that he doesn’t have the support of a single conservative grassroots organization for his campaign,” said Tony McDonald, YCT Senior Vice Chairman. “The fact is that a challenger who cannot articulate why he is running against a proven conservative leader like Wayne Christian, outside of his own personal desires to climb the political ladder, wouldn’t know grassroots support even if it did come knocking on his door.”

YCT calls on Chris Paddie to end the whisper campaign against Rep. Wayne Christian and run a campaign based on issues and record. Paddie’s tactics not only diminish the efforts of the conservative movement in our state, but also of Christian’s numerous local supporters that have walked blocks for him across HD9 – folks Paddie wishes to one day represent.

“YCT is no stranger to conservative grassroots activism. If we’re strangers to Paddie, that should tell you all you need to know about his campaign,” said Jeff Morris, YCT State Chairman. “These things come up when a candidate has nothing positive to say about himself and is forced to instead pollute voters with nonsense.”

Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) has been promoting conservatism at universities across the Lone Star State for over three decades. The state’s most active political youth organization, YCT is composed of hundreds of members and alumni who participate in the full spectrum of politics. YCT issues the most respected ratings of the Texas legislature and is the only conservative group to have done so without interruption over the past 19 legislative sessions. To learn more about YCT, their ratings, or for information on joining, please visit www.YCT.org.

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January 24, 2012

Contact: Tony McDonald, Senior Vice Chairman
Mobile: (512) 923-6893
Email: tony.mcdonald@yahoo.com

AUSTIN — Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) today called on the University of Texas System Board of Regents to reject secret government at the University of Texas at Austin and called on the board to adopt a new regents rule to require open meetings on tuition at all University of Texas System Campuses.

“During the tuition deregulation debate in 2003, University of Texas administrators promised to consult widely with students, but most of that so-called consultation is merely an orchestrated charade designed to encourage gullible student government officials to back huge spending and tuition increases,” said Tony McDonald, YCT Senior Vice Chairman. “UT–Austin administrators are holding closed tuition advisory committee meetings because they want to shield student government leaders from accountability when they carry water for administrators, rather than work for the students they are pledged to represent.”

The Daily Texan has repeatedly sought access to closed Tuition Policy Advisory Committee meetings, where administrators and students make recommendations on the tax dollars in the university budget and future tuition
increases. These requests have been denied by UT-Austin Provost Steven Leslie and Vice President Kevin Hegarty.

During the 2011 Legislative session, YCT worked with Rep. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) and passed an amendment that required student fee advisory committee meetings be public. But UT is evading the Hughes amendment by stating that the advisory committee discusses tuition rather than fees.

“The Texas Legislature shouldn’t have to tell a state agency to do the public’s business in public,” said YCT State Chairman Jeff Morris. “And it’s absolutely outrageous that UT administrators are using legal loopholes and trickery to hold closed meetings. We call on all regents to put a stop to this misbehavior immediately and make UT-Austin administrators honor both the spirit and letter of the Hughes amendment.”

YCT sent a letter to University of Texas Regents Chairman Gene Powell proposing a new regents rule that would require that all tuition advisory committees at UT–System schools obey the Hughes amendment and hold their meetings in public. YCT will also be raising this issue with the relevant legislative committees.

YCT also called on the UT Regents to reject any recommendation that resulted from closed meetings and require that the process start over. This is the usual remedy prescribed in Texas law for violating the Texas Open Meetings Act.

“The tuition advisory process has been tainted by secrecy,” said YCT-UT Chapter Chairman Jenna White. “The regents need to make UT start over, and this time, hold the meetings in public.”

Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) has been promoting conservatism at universities across the Lone Star State for over three decades. The state’s most active political youth organization, YCT is composed of hundreds of members and alumni who participate in the full spectrum of politics. YCT issues the most respected ratings of the Texas legislature and is the only conservative group to have done so without interruption over the past 19 legislative sessions. To learn more about YCT, their ratings, or for information on joining, please visit www.YCT.org.

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PDF Version of Press Release
PDF Version of Letter
PDF Version of Proposed Regents Rule

January 23, 2012

Contact: Tony McDonald, Senior Vice Chairman
Mobile: (512) 923-6893
Email: tony.mcdonald@yahoo.com

AUSTIN — Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) today endorsed Scott Turner for State Representative in the new district that will include Rockwall County and portions of Collin County.

“We are excited for Scott Turner to bring his voice and leadership to Austin,” said Tony McDonald, YCT Senior Vice Chairman.  “He understands core conservative principles and how to put them into action.”

The new district covers areas currently represented by State Representatives Ken Paxton and Jodie Laubenberg, who have both earned spots on YCT’s Historic Honor Roll.

“The voters of Rockwall and Collin Counties will be looking for a true conservative to represent them,” commented Jeff Morris, YCT State Chairman. “Scott Turner is the conservative fighter that the district deserves.”

Turner is a former NFL player, businessman, and entrepreneur. He was raised in Richardson and lives in Frisco with his wife, Robin.

In receiving the endorsement, Turner said “I’m proud to have earned this endorsement from the Young Conservatives of Texas, and am grateful for the confidence these young leaders have placed in me.  I look forward to working with them on behalf of our conservative principles in Austin.”

Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) has been promoting conservatism at universities across the Lone Star State for over three decades. The state’s most active political youth organization, YCT is composed of hundreds of members and alumni who participate in the full spectrum of politics. YCT issues the most respected ratings of the Texas legislature and is the only conservative group to have done so without interruption over the past 19 legislative sessions. For an up-to-date list of all of YCT’s endorsements, please visit  www.yct.org/endorsements.

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January 17, 2012

Contact: Tony McDonald, Senior Vice Chairman
Mobile: (512) 923-6893
Email: tony.mcdonald@yahoo.com

AUSTIN — Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) has endorsed Corsicana Republican Bobby Vickery for State Representatives in House District 8. The district includes Anderson, Navarro, Hill and Freestone Counties.

“Bobby Vickery is a strong conservative who will fight for families, freedom and life in the Texas House of Representatives,” said Tony McDonald, YCT Senior Vice Chairman. “He is a strong believer in limited government and fiscal responsibility.”

“Young Conservatives of Texas are leaders when it comes to standing up for conservative principles,” Vickery said. “They hold the legislature accountable and have a strong record of advocating for the same values that my campaign embraces: low taxes, traditional values, freedom from excessive regulation, and the sanctity of life.”

YCT State Chairman Jeff Morris said that Vickery would be a leader who votes conservative, not just talks about it, as the incumbent does.

“Byron Cook may speak like a conservative back home, but his record in Austin is far different,” Morris said. “As chairman of the State Affairs committee, he has been the one of the biggest impediments to passing conservative legislation in the Texas House.”

“Representative Cook has been especially damaging when it comes to legislation fighting illegal immigration,” Morris said. “His constituents would be shocked to know that it was he who delayed – and effectively killed – the ban on sanctuary cities, the bill requiring E-Verify, and a ban on drivers’ licenses for illegal immigrants. He also scored a 64 on our ratings of the 82nd Texas Legislature.”

“That is not a conservative record,” Morris said. “That is a liberal record.”

Morris said Vickery, on the other hand, would fight for those principles.

“Bobby Vickery will take a strong stand on illegal immigration. He will fight for a sanctuary cities ban, he will vote to repeal in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. He is a real conservative, and he is the clear choice for Texas House District 8.”

Young Conservatives of Texas has been promoting conservatism at universities across the Lone Star State for over three decades. The state’s most active political youth organization, YCT is composed of hundreds of members and alumni who participate in the full spectrum of politics. YCT issues the most respected ratings of the Texas legislature and is the only conservative group to have done so without interruption over the past 19 legislative sessions. To learn more about YCT, their ratings, or for information on joining, please visit www.YCT.org.

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PDF Version of Press Release

January 17, 2012

Contact: Tony McDonald, Senior Vice Chairman
Mobile: (512) 923-6893
Email: tony.mcdonald@yahoo.com

AUSTIN — Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) today endorsed Jonathan Stickland for Texas House District 92.  Stickland is challenging Todd Smith who performed in the bottom 10% of Republicans on YCT’s ratings of the 82^nd Texas Legislature with a score of 61.

Tony McDonald, YCT’s Senior Vice Chairman, spoke very highly of Jonathan in the endorsement. “Jonathan is a strong conservative voice. He will stand up for less government intrusion in the lives of his constituents and is willing to stand alone for what’s right.”

Stickland expressed his gratefulness for the endorsement saying “I’m honored that YCT would stand up and support my candidacy. It’s organizations like YCT who are willing to show courage and conviction on behalf of conservative principles that will make Texas a better state. It is my desire to vote with the values of limited government spending, lower taxes, and personal responsibility which YCT espouses.”

YCT’s State Chairman, Jeff Morris, also praised Stickland and remarked on the need for more true conservatives in the Legislature. “We cannot afford to send back to Austin year after year elected officials who pay no regard to the values of their district. Jonathan is a man who will listen to the needs of conservative voters and have their backs in the House.”

Young Conservatives of Texas has been promoting conservatism at universities across the Lone Star State for over three decades. The state’s most active political youth organization, YCT is composed of hundreds of members and alumni who participate in the full spectrum of politics. YCT issues the most respected ratings of the Texas legislature and is the only conservative group to have done so without interruption over the past 19 legislative sessions. To learn more about YCT, their ratings, or for information on joining, please visit www.YCT.org.

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January 12, 2012

Contact: Tony McDonald, Senior Vice Chairman
Mobile: (512) 923-6893
Email: tony.mcdonald@yahoo.com

AUSTIN — Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) today endorsed Giovanni Capriglione for Texas House District 98.  Giovanni is challenging Vicki Truitt, one of the worst performing Republicans on YCT’s 82nd legislative score card.

“Giovanni is a proven tax fighter, small business owner, and conservative Republican who has shown a willingness to stand against the establishment in Austin,” commented Tony McDonald, YCT’s Senior Vice Chairman.  “Giovanni is committed to the social and fiscal values YCT espouses. He will make a great State Representative.”

“Young Conservatives of Texas do a fantastic job educating voters on whether or not their legislators are voting according to the principles they campaigned on,” said Giovanni. “The conservative voters of House District 98 are not content with the liberal votes Vicki Truitt has taken. I’m extremely grateful for the support of such a rock solid organization like Young Conservatives of Texas.”

YCT’s State Chairman, Jeff Morris, commented on some of Vicki Truitt’s liberal streaks as a legislator.  “Vicki Truitt has shown a tendency to fight for higher taxes, more intrusive government, and reduced transparency in government agencies. This is contrary to all bedrock principles of conservatives.”

“The voters of House District 98 must get out and support Giovanni for State Representative.” Morris concluded.

Young Conservatives of Texas has been promoting conservatism at universities across the Lone Star State for over three decades. The state’s most active political youth organization, YCT is composed of hundreds of members and alumni who participate in the full spectrum of politics. YCT issues the most respected ratings of the Texas legislature and is the only conservative group to have done so without interruption over the past 19 legislative sessions. To learn more about YCT, their ratings, or for information on joining, please visit www.YCT.org.

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