Texans who inspire Texans!

Good morning!

As we embark on a new year, let me share with you those Texans who have inspired me and so many others in the fight for liberty. I am referring, of course, to the recipients of the Conservative Leader Award.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan

Monday, January 6, 2020

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Symbolized by an engraved cavalry sword, the Conservative Leader Award recognizes those individuals – having been nominated by their friends and neighbors – who have practically engaged in the fight for a stronger Texas. None of these individuals seek recognition, they shun the spotlight, and to a man and woman want only to help their fellow citizens engage more effectively in the art of self-governance.

The 2019 Conservative Leader Award Recipients Brian Bledsoe. The classic story of how the conservative movement can capture and elevate the ordinary to extraordinary heights and platforms, this truck-driver turned conservative podcast host is a conservative trend setter in North Texas. Brian is the host of TrendChat [[link removed]] where he engages the topics of the day with a refreshing conservative take to an audience eager to chat with the affable and affectionate communicator.

Luis Burrola, Jr. He is the man behind the curtain for a number of online social media platforms, including " TEXIT [[link removed]]," or the "Tejano Exit" from the Democrat Party and the grasp of liberalism, helping inspire Hispanic and other Texans alike to cling to their conservative principles and fight for good governance. He is also well known for taking conservative ideals to folks at conventionally overlooked events like lowrider car shows across the state.

Adam Cahn. The epitome of a cheerful warrior, his quick-witted Cahnman’s Musings [[link removed]] blog often breaks news but more importantly helps define the conflicts in the state Capitol in practical and approachable ways. Cahn is also a familiar face in the Texas Capitol where he routinely goes toe-to-toe with lobbyists and insiders at committee hearings, dawning his beloved Longhorn cap and colors.

Kelli Cook. She is a "how high?" activist who has seemingly led an effort on every front on the conservative battlefield. Whether it's waged at the city, county, school board, state level, or in the media and online, liberals across Texas are shaking in their boots at the thought of Kelli Cook setting her sights on their over-taxing pork-barreled pet projects. Kelli has defeated bonds, whipped up statewide deciding votes, and terminated terribly-liberal narratives from her perch atop The Golden Hammer [[link removed]] or from her own home in Montgomery County

Rich & Yvette DeOtte. A power-couple if ever there was one, the DeOttes regularly put their small business on hold – or even in harms’ way – to speak out on important issues. They regularly travel to Austin so they can offer principled testimony; faithfully speaking truth even if legislators don’t want to hear it.

Rolando Garcia. A true servant leader, Rolando is a man with strong conservative principles and an even stronger work ethic. A tireless grassroots activist and Republican Party leader in Houston, Rolando leads by example and fights for conservative candidates and causes “one letter, one phone call, one door, one conversation at a time."

Lacey Lowry. Aside from her and her family's work supporting conservative candidates for office in East Texas, Lacey is best known for her watchful eye. She routinely calls out the duplicity and double tongued nature of elected officials in office, exposing their lies and truth-telling the actual facts for Texas from across the state. Her uncanny ability to do so with grace and humility paired with her servant's heart is an inspiration for other Texans to speak loudly and get involved.

Howard Powers. Always the first to volunteer, Howard is known around Collin County for his willingness to do whatever needs to be done for liberty, especially at the local city and school board level. When he saw a new group of citizen-activists wanting to get involved, he helped them form the Asian Republican Club to serve their thriving community of local conservatives.

Eugene Ralph. This New Orleans native got to Texas and got involved. An experienced radio host and conservative firebrand, he has been speaking common sense truth to power in some of the state's toughest neighborhoods to much avail. Eugene leads by example and demonstrates for men and women what it looks like to be a block walk prophet and conservative orator extraordinaire.

Mike & Vicki Slaton. Behind every strong woman is an equally incredible man. Vicki Slaton has served in numerous Republican Party capacities, while Mike has focused his energies volunteering with campaigns. The Slatons together have exemplified what it means to be committed to principle over pretty faces, personalities, or insider-access. They are routinely the first to speak up and out about the doings of the crooks and cronies in Dallas County and the Republican Establishment.

Terry Wade. Described as one of the nicest people you'll ever meet, Terry's energy and enthusiasm as a campaign volunteer is seemingly boundless. She brings a fierce loyalty and contagious optimism to everyone she meets. For the candidates with whom she volunteers, she shares previous experiences to help them make the long road of a campaign more manageable.

JoAnn Wilks. In her hometown of Cisco, JoAnn is known for encouraging her fellow citizens to be registered to vote, then organizing opportunities for taxpayers to meet candidates so they can make informed decisions. Whether it is volunteering at a local pregnancy center or fighting for taxpayer rights, JoAnn quietly leads by example everywhere she goes. Previous Year's Awardees...

2014

James Ashby

Sharron Albertson

Suzanne Blackstone

Kelly Canon

Alex Chamales

Stan Cole

Michael Dougan

Jean Gosney

Julie McCarty

Ashley McDaniel

Fred Nasseri

Mike and Marika Olcott

Michael Openshaw

Donna Rolater

Diane Rydzak

Dick Saulsbury

Amanda and Haley Waring

Charles Womack

2015

Derek Baker

Teresa Beckmeyer

Carol Doucet

Janna Easton

Ken Emanuelson

JoAnn Fleming

Natalie Genco

Jim and Robin Lennon

Chuck Molyneaux

Ray Myers

Kelly Paulson

Don and Rene Poe

Mark Pulliam

Reagan Reed

Matthew Stringer

Paul and Charla Vinyard

2016

Dwayne "Doc" Collins

Tom and Toni Fabry

Aaron Harris

Dale Huls

Donald and Jackie King

Cole Lyle

Tracy Marshall

Carroll Maxwell

Aubrey Mayberry

David Medlin

Antonia Okafor

Mark Ramsey

Fran Rhodes

Angela Smith

Roy and Carolyn Willis

Maggie Clopton Wright

2017

Jim Baxa

Thomas Dowdy

Ralph Gonzalez

Dana Hodges

Matt Long

Patrick McGuinness

Stacy McMahan

John Myers

Tanya Robertson

Jackie Schlegel

Joel and Karen Starnes

Steve Waltens

Brady Whatley

Eric Yollick

Ruth York

2018

Jim Barnes

Melanie Graft

Laura Hester

Dana McKelvain

Brian Newman

Vince and Mona Puente

Mark Reid

Byron Schirmbeck

Marshall Sprigg

Nelson Thibodeaux

Alan and Colleen Vera

Kathaleen Wall

Today In History

On Jan. 6, 1759, George Washington married Martha Custis.

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