A Predictable Result for Distracted and Isolated People
Why Did Incompetence and Incumbency Prove a Winning Combination in Williamson County Republican Primary?
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24 - 25
Sadly, GOP Establishment incumbent type of people won big in Williamson County’s Republican Primary on Tuesday evening. We were hopeful that the detestable records of Gov. Abbott, Lt Gov Patrick, County Judge Gravell et al combined with the energizing campaigns of state and local challengers would be enough to at least force run offs in significant races.
And, of course, we are thankful for the good news that did emerge from the Wilco Republican Primary
Patrick McGuinness leads the crowded HD 52 Republican field with 35% of the vote among 4 candidates
Michelle Evans put forward a strong showing in the HD 136 Republican primary, winning 83% to 17% against a well-funded, stealth Democrat candidate. Furthermore, the total Republican turnout of 7,636 is within striking distance of the Democrat incumbent’s 7,915 votes. That’s about a 1.8% delta in a district that should about +19% for the Democrats.
However, on so many other races, Wilco Republican Primary voters thought it was a good idea to maintain the status quo of enabling lockdowns and Covid mandates, half-stepping on border security, ignoring child mutilation, paying lip service to school choice and ever-increasing property tax increases.
It all illustrates we need revival more than ever, or perhaps more precisely, a “re-revival” of Texas Republican voters. Luke Macias of Texas Scorecard posted a fascinating podcast earlier this week about “de-churched” Republicans in Texas.
Mr. Macias’ grassroots activism work in San Antonio has led him to talk with many primary voters. He discovered a peculiar trend where a significant number of people who previously regularly attended a local body of believers but are now between churches, aka “de-churched”. There is more to say about this, but suffice to say that being separated from the Body of Christ also yields separation from the Mind of Christ on cultural and political topics.
Williamson County and Texas grassroots activists may do well to combine evangelistic outreach to these “de-churched” Republican voters and follow up with strong instruction on the biblical worldview of government and effective, Christian citizenship.
We are not going to vote our way out of this. We will need more constructive engagement and righteous resistance at the local level.
And as we’ve said before, it’s still revival or bust.