Friends,

I received a wide variety of responses to yesterday's Runoff Election loss where the Democrats took control of State Senate District 9 in Tarrant County. Tarrant County has been a Republican stronghold, and it needs to be a stronghold because it holds Texas red, which holds America red. People are understandably reacting, and here are the ones I've seen the most:

Blame directed at the candidate - "She is too far right." "She didn't work hard enough."
Blame directed at activists/GOP - "There weren't enough efforts to get out the vote."
Anger directed at lazy voters - "They deserve this. Maybe next time they'll vote."
Anger at John Huffman - "What a piece of $hit." (Huffman was the other R in the original race. He lost bad and refused to support the last-standing R in the runoff between Republican Leigh Wambsganss and the Democrat.)
Fear - "I'm so scared."
Looking for hope - "What do we do???"
Confidence - "Doesn't matter. We will take it back in November."
Quitting politics - "I give up. I'm done. God is not working here."

Many have come to me, looking for a statement. I haven't really gathered my thoughts yet, but I can address each of the above points by number briefly...

"She is too far right." "She didn't work hard enough."
Milk-toast, lukewarm candidates inspire no one. Those that do win disappoint us. I'll never support the idea that a candidate is too far right. When a far-right candidate stands strong, people respond in big numbers, just as they did with Stickland. Did you see the pictures all over social media of the masses of volunteers willing to help with this campaign?
"There weren't enough efforts to get out the vote."
That's just stupid. People worked their tails off. To say otherwise is rude, defeating, and counter-productive.
"They deserve this. Maybe next time they'll vote."
This is key. Bad weather, indifference, not understanding the timing of the special election, etc, all led to low turnout. We didn't have the votes because voters did not understand the sense of urgency. It wasn't for lack of trying.
"Huffman is a piece of $hit."
100%. Excuse the foul language, but that's how it's coming at me from voters. Check out this comparison between turnout for the original election vs the runoff, and it's obvious Huffman played the sorry loser, took his ball, and went home.

Telling his voters to sit it out (which he did, and he even told them to vote D) is the epitome of being a sore loser. It is unimaginable to me that he would burn down his district just because they did not crown him king. He's got kids, for crying out loud. I'm just gonna get this off my chest... I TOLD YOU SO!!! Ah, that felt great. I saw John's true colors years ago, but no one listened. Ok, couldn't resist... I'll get refocused...
"I'm so scared."
Fear of the unknown is normal, but it's also of the devil. Literally. "Perfect love (God) casts out all fear." No Christian has to fear the future, even a future with Democrats in Tarrant. You must pray through the fear. It's real, and it can immobilize you, and I won't dismiss it. I only encourage you to defeat it with TRUTH. Your doing that will set an example for others. Courage is contagious. This is just incredibly important. Satan will use whatever works when attacking you. Don't let fear be one of his tools. Decide that. Pray for that. Pray with others.
"What do we do???"
Hope abounds! The Republicans have just been forced to wake up, and I believe they will. Yes, we have to keep working. I know we're tired and the workers are few, but don't we do this work with the best people on the planet? What a privelege! Tarrant is not lost. The Dems will be cocky and motivated and we will have to work hard, but we're up for it because losing NE Tarrant is not an option. The entire world literally depends on it. We get our strength and our vision and our determination from God, and we don't let the enemy defy Him or His Glory. Period. Buck up!
"Doesn't matter. We will take it back in November."
Yes, I remain confident. But I'm not naive. We do have work to do. Don't allow confidence to lull you to sleep.
"I give up. I'm done. God is not working here."
Oh come on... quitting is not an option! Take a rest. But I believe the encouragement you need will come from the worker bees you've been in the battle with. Why would you abandon them? One body, many parts. All parts are needed... including you!

I'm sure you have unique thoughts of your own. I urge you to show up at a True Texas Project meeting or event in the next few weeks. The timing is perfect. Talk to others. Discuss plans. Share fears and how you conquer them. Share hope. None of us are in this alone. In fact, this is why we have True Texas Project in the first place -- because we fight battles all day every day, and we need each other for support!

The following calendar items were in the newsletter that went out this morning. Take another look and adjust your schedule:

This week at a glance... Events start TODAY!!!

Sunday - TODAY, 2/1
3pm - Sunday Dinner Social in Tarrant County
6pm - Night of Action w/For Liberty & Justice in Tarrant County

Monday, 2/2 6:30pm - TTP@home Wise County Kickoff w/ Rep Andy Hopper!

Wednesday, 2/4 12pm - Lunch Social w/Mayes Middleton for AG in Dallas County

Friday, 2/6 6:30pm - Candidate Fair in Tarrant County
New podcast releases

Saturday, 2/7 - True Texas Project Statewide DAY OF ACTION
Click here for individual event pages with flyers based on location/region.

This month at a glance... Welcome February! We are ready for action, and we hope you are too! There is no shortage of opportunity here at TTP.

Website Calendar

True Texas Project Facebook Calendar

For those looking to find time with me or Fran, we will be at the following TTP functions...

Julie: Feb 4 lunch in Dallas, Feb 6 Candidate Fair in Grapevine, Feb 7 Day Of Action in Southlake, Feb 9 meeting in Tarrant, Feb 12 meeting in Dallas (w/ Fred), Feb 13 dinner in The Woodlands, Feb 14 YOTP Conference
Fran: Feb 4 lunch in Dallas, Feb 6 Candidate Fair in Grapevine, Feb 7 Day of Action in Nevada, Feb 9 meeting in Tarrant, Feb 12 meeting in Collin, Feb 13 dinner in The Woodlands, Feb 14 YOTP Conference

MOST organizations like ours would use this sad turn of events to ask for money. Not me. I want you to get involved. If all you can do is donate, great. We need that too. But we need warm bodies participating as well.

Hope to see you soon!!!
For the love of Texas,

Julie McCarty, CEO
True Texas Project

PS. Iron sharpens iron. Join us!