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COLONEL'S COLUMN

By Col (Ret) Jon R. Ker

Dear Fellow Patriots,

I write this on New Year’s Eve enjoying a warm fire on a cold afternoon. Yesterday was spent at the Emergency Room with my almost 91-year young mother-in-law. Got home late in the afternoon with medications and a good report on her vitals. Even so, I ask for your prayers for her.

Today, we close out what I consider a very productive and successful year for our Party. We had tremendous success with our Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner featuring Governor Abbott. Through the efforts of all within our Party, we have overcome pre-existing situations which brought divisions and

consternation. We have coalesced into a force for good for our community and the nation. I applaud each of you for your determination to prevail. We still have more to achieve and will work in the coming year to expand our Party to those who do not yet realize they are Republican, but who are conservative at heart. I would be remiss if I failed to acknowledge the contribution of others which made this year successful. I thank our Party Officers, Barbara White, Linda Hill and Bert Hernandez, our Outreach/ Engagement Task Force Leader Brad Holland, our many volunteers among whom are Helen Quiram, Lisa Dickison, Donna Mick, Debbie Anderson (my sweet and beautiful daughter-in-law), Virginia Taylor, Chris DeCluitt, Vera Porter and Barbara Kent for their diligence and tireless efforts in seeing that we move forward in achieving our goal of promoting conservative values. I am particularly thankful for the great support received from Wes Lloyd and Vicki Kendig and their respective clubs for all they did to assist the Party this past year. Their leadership and cooperation resulted in a concerted and coordinated effort throughout the year. Lastly, no political organization could succeed without the work and participation of its core group. For us, this is the County Executive Committee of Precinct Chairs. A tip of my Green Beret to each of you for your participation, work and dedication to see that we are unified in our efforts to achieve victory at the polls and promotion of our values.

November and December were busy months given the candidate application process and other statutory actions to be accomplished. We have five contested primary races which should result in a good voter participation rate. Once the primary determines our general election candidates, I have my sights set on winning County Commissioner Precinct 2 position for us. This is not to diminish the importance of every other race, for each is critically important. However, winning the Commissioner 2 race in addition to maintaining our hold on other offices puts the courthouse completely within our Party.

MCLENNAN REPUBLICANS

January 2018

Volume 3, I ssue 1

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We have three important events on our near horizon. First up is the Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner set for February 6, 2018, at Knox Hall. We are fortunate to have as our speaker former Congressman and retired Army Lieutenant Colonel (and my friend) Allen B. West. If you have not previously heard Allen, you are in for a thrilling night of patriotism and American exceptionalism. Make your plans to attend by calling my office (254-666-1122) and reserving your spot. Second, we have the March primary. Even though this is an off-presidential year, we need to get the vote out. I would like to see a vast difference between our Republican Party vote count and that of the Democrats. I would like to see McLennan County as one of the principal Republican strongholds in Texas. Getting our people to the polls in the primary and general elections will cement that recognition for us. Lastly, we have the Precinct and County conventions. This year both will be conducted the same day, March 24, 2018, at the TSTC Connally Building. The Precinct conventions will begin at 9:00 a.m. followed by the County convention at 1:00 p.m. The Conventions Task Force will be meeting soon to organize the events and assign committee positions. If you would like to serve on a convention committee, please call the headquarters or my office, Barbara White, Linda Hill or Helen Quiram as soon as possible to let us know where you would like to serve.

I look forward to 2018 not only for what we can achieve here in McLennan County, but also for what I see on the way for the nation under the leadership of President Trump. As we see the economy continue to improve, we will see America retake her position of greatness and world leadership wounded and lost under the BO administration. Importantly, I pray we see a return to morality and civility within our society. Continue to pray daily for the President, our Nation and our community. May God richly bless America!

STRENGTH AND HONOR

Jon

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FROM THE VICE CHAIR

By Barbara White

Primary election day is March 6, 2018, and with its approach, I wanted to remind everyone of some related key dates.

Voter Registration:

If you are not already registered to vote, or if you know someone who needs to register, the deadline is February 5. If you are unsure and need to check your status, the following link may be used: https://teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/MVP/mvp.do

To register, you may obtain a voter registration application at the county voter registrar’s office, the local Republican Headquarters, any post office, or you may register online at the following site: https://webservices.sos.state.tx.us/vrapp/index.asp If you moved within the county or changed your name, you will also need to update your registration by February 5. This can be done by filling in the correct information on the back of your voter registration certificate and sending it to the voter registrar, or completing a new application with the updated information. Early Voting:

In Person: Early voting in person begins on February 20, 2018. and ends on March 2, 2018. McLennan County will have five early voting sites. Dates and times listed below.

By Mail: Voting by mail is also an option for persons who are over 65, disabled, or who will be out of town during early voting and on Election Day. To vote by mail you must submit an application in writing to your county voter registrar. Applications are currently being accepted (beginning 60 days prior to Election Day), and must be received no later than close of business on Friday, February 23, 2018.

Ballot by mail applications may be obtained from the county voter registrar, the local Republican Headquarters, or you may download and print the application using the following site: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/forms/pol-sub/5-15f.pdf Please note that voters who qualify may apply for an annual ballot by mail application by completing the appropriate section on the form.

Election Day:

Primary Election Day is Tuesday, March 6, 2018. The polls are open 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. McLennan County will have 33 vote centers for the primary election and qualified voters may vote at any of the locations. McLennan County Vote Centers are listed below.

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McLENNAN COUNTY ELECTION DAY VOTE CENTERS Axtell School Ath. Meeting Room 312 W. Seley, Axtell Bellmead Civic Center 3900 Parrish St., Waco Bruceville-Eddy ISD Special Events Center 1 Eagle Drive, Eddy Cesar Chavez Middle School 700 S. 15th Street, Waco Chalk Bluff Baptist Church 5993 Gholson Road, Waco China Spring ISD Administration Bldg. 12166 Yankie Road, China Spring Crawford High School 200 Pirate Drive, Crawford Dewey Community Center 925 N. 9th Street, Waco Fellowship Bible Church 5200 Speegleville Rd., McGregor First Assembly of God Church 6701 Bosque Blvd., Waco G. W. Carver Middle School 1601 J. J. Flewellen Road, Waco Hewitt First Baptist Church 301 S. 1st Street, Hewitt Hewitt Public Safety Facility 100 Patriot Court, Hewitt H. G. Isbill Junior High 305 S. Van Buren St., McGregor Heart of Texas Council of Governments 1514 S. New Road, Waco Lacy Lakeview Civic Center 505 E. Craven Ave., Waco Lake Shore United Methodist Church 3311 Park Lake Drive, Waco Lorena First Baptist Church 307 E. Center St., Lorena Mart Community Center 804 E. Bowie Ave., Mart MCC Conference Center 4601 N. 19th Street, Waco Moody City Hall 606 Ave E, Moody Riesel Junior High/High School 600 E. Frederick Street, Riesel Robinson Community Center 106 W. Lyndale, Robinson South Waco Library 2737 S. 18th Street, Waco Speegleville Baptist Church 469 Speegle Road, Waco Tennyson Middle School 6100 Tennyson Drive, Waco University High School 3201 S. New Road, Waco Waco Convention Center 100 Washington Ave., Waco Waco High School (Performing Arts Center) 2020 N. 42nd St., Waco Waco Multi-Purpose Community Center 1020 Elm Street, Waco West Community Center 200 Tokio Road, West Woodway City Hall 922 Estates Drive, Woodway Woodway First Baptist Church 13000 Woodway Drive, Woodway McLENNAN COUNTY EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS: McLennan County Elections Office, Records Bldg. 214 No. 4th Street, #300, Waco, TX 76701 Robinson Community Center 106 W. Lyndale, Robinson, TX 76706Waco Multi-Purpose Community Center 1020 Elm St., Waco, TX 76704 First Assembly of God Church 6701 Bosque Blvd., Waco, TX 76710 Hewitt Public Safety Facility 100 Patriot Court, Hewitt, TX 76643

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The dates and times of Early Voting are: Tuesday, February 20 through Friday, February 23 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Saturday, February 24 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sunday, February 25 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM Monday, February 26 through Friday, March 2 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM

COUNTY VOTER REGISTRAR REPUBLICAN PARTY OF MCLENNAN COUNTY Kathy E. Van Wolfe Headquarters McLennan County Elections Administrator 539 N. Valley Mills Drive 214 N. 4th Street, Suite #300 Waco, Texas 76710 P.O. Box 2450 Phone: 254.772.6955 Waco, Texas 76703-2450 Phone: 254.757.5043

PRIMARY PREPARATION CHECKLIST

1. Register to vote or verify your registration is correct by February 5th. Verify Voter Registration

2. If you are eligible, submit an application for mail-in ballot. This can be obtained from the Voter Registrar/Elections Office, Republican Party HQ, or at this website http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/forms/pol-sub/5-15f.pdf.

3. Locate ten or more conservative-voting friends and make sure they know to vote. 4. Vote during Early Voting starting February 20th until March 2nd or on Election Day March

6th. 5. Attend Precinct and County conventions on March 24th.

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LOCAL REPUBLICAN PRIMARY CANDIDATES

CONTESTED RACES

CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY

COUNTY COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT 2

Barry Johnson Abel Reyna

Vernon Davis Gina Ford Donis “D.L.” Wilson

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COUNTY COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT 4

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PRECINCT 1, PLACE 1

CONSTABLE, PRECINCT 3

Ben Perry Mel Priest

Denny Lessman Dianne Hensley

Danny Lee Volcik David A. Maler

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UNCONTESTED CANDIDATES

Charles “Doc” Anderson State Representative, District 56

Matt Johnson District Judge, 54th Judicial District

Jim Meyer District Judge, 170th District Count

Vicki L. Menard District Judge, 414th Judicial District

Scott Felton County Judge

Vikram “Vik” Deivanayagam Judge, County Court-at-Law

Jon R. Gimble District Clerk

Brad Cates Judge, County Court-at-Law, No. 2

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Andy Harwell County Clerk

W.H “Pete” Peterson Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 1, Place 2

Bill Helton County Treasurer

David Pareya Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3

Brian Richardson Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4

Walt Strickland Constable, Precinct 1

Stan Hickey Constable, Precinct 4

Jon R. Ker Republican Party Chairman

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

February 2 – Last Day to RSVP to Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner February 5 – Last Day to Register to Vote or change registration February 6 – Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner February 12 – McLennan County Republican Women Monthly Meeting (RSVP by February 8) February 15 – McLennan County Republican Club Monthly Meeting February 20 – March 2 – Early Voting February 23 – Last Day to Apply for Ballot By Mail (received by close of business) March 6 – Primary Election Day March 24 – Precinct and County Conventions

OFFICE HOURS AND CONTACT INFORMATION

OFFICE HOURS

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10am-3pm Closed Mondays

MAILING ADDRESS AND SOCIAL MEDIA

539 N. Valley Mills Dr. Facebook: Search @McLennanRepublicans Waco, TX 76710 https://www.facebook.com/McLennanRepublicans/ (WestView Village Shopping Mall) Email: info@mclennanrepublicans.org Twitter: @McLennanRepub Phone: 254-772-6955 Direct link: https://twitter.com/McLennanRepub

Website: www.mclennanrepublicans.org

DISCLAIMER: The above are the official social media sites/accounts for the Republican Party of McLennan County. Posts on any other websites/social media accounts are not endorsed, sponsored or sanctioned by the Party.