Welcome to the online home of the 2012 Republican Party of Texas State Convention!
The Republican Party of Texas State Convention will be held on June 7-9 at the Fort Worth Convention Center in downtown Fort Worth, Texas. Due to the compressed schedule we are facing this year, we urge all delegates and alternates to register as soon as possible by using our Registration link which contains information on registering online and also by mail.
This year, we are pleased to announce some very exciting speakers who will be joining us at our State Convention. We have two special guests keynoting our premier Convention Gala, Senator Ron Johnson of WI and Rick Santorum. The Gala will be held on Friday, June 8th at the Fort Worth Convention Center Ballroom. If you have previously registered for the State Convention and would like to add Gala Banquet tickets to your registration - please contact RPT offices and ask to speak to Jennifer Stoner or Yvonne Palmer - our number is 512-477-9821.
Congressman Paul Ryan (WI-1) is our keynote speaker who will address the convention delegates, alternates, guests and sponsors on Saturday, June 9th. Speaking at one of our new Breakout Sessions, is Texas Congressman Ron Paul, leading a session entitled "Uniting Republicans and Balancing the Federal Budget.” The RPT thanks all of our speakers for making the effort to travel to Fort Worth, Texas and participate in our 2012 State Convention.
Delegates to the state convention meet both as a whole body and by state senatorial districts every convention, as well as by congressional districts in presidential years such as 2012.
Meeting as a whole, delegates to the state convention ratify the Party rules, adopt a Party platform, and elect the State Chairman and State Vice Chairman. In presidential years, they also ratify all delegates and alternates to the national convention as well as the Presidential Electors and elect a National Committeeman and National Committeewoman.
FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions to help attendees, members of the media, and the public better understand what the 2012 Convention is all about.
What is a State Convention?
The Republican Party convention system is a means by which Texas Republicans can participate in the formulation of the state platform, choose the leadership of the state party, and have a voice in who represents Texas at the national level of the party. Delegates and alternates are elected to attend the convention for the purposes of fulfilling Texas statutory and Republican Party rule requirements and of highlighting the state party’s goal of electing Republicans to office.
Delegates to the state convention will:
- Elect a State Party Chairman and Vice-Chairman
- Elect members to serve on the State Republican Executive Committee
- Adopt a Party Platform
- Elect National Delegates and Presidential Electors
- Elect members to serve on the Republican National Committee
What is the schedule for the State Convention?
General Registration will begin at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, June 6th. The First General Session of the State Convention will begin at 10:00am on Thursday, June 7th. For a tentative agenda of the Convention Schedule - please visit this link.
Who is eligible to become a delegate to the State Convention?
All delegates and alternates are elected at county or senatorial district conventions that were held on either April 14 or April 21, 2012. At each local convention, a Nominations Committee recommended a slate of names to bring before the full convention for consideration.
What is an alternate?
Delegates are not always able to attend every convention session or every caucus. Alternates fill in during a delegate's absence. Alternates may speak and vote on all convention issues during the delegate's absence. Alternates may attend all caucuses and sessions even if the delegate is present.
Can I get a statewide list of all convention delegates & alternates?
If you are a convention delegate or alternate, or a Republican officeholder or candidate - then yes! In compliance with RPT Rules and the State Election Code, the State Party receives lists of delegates and alternates from all county convention and district convention chairmen after the local conventions are completed. RPT Rule 32(b) says that the State Party shall compile the lists from around the state and make the full list available "at the earliest practical date and initially no later than five (5) weeks from the date of the last County or Senatorial District Convention." The cost for the list is $25.00 per 1000 delegates and alternates provided and the list will be provided in Excel spreadsheet format.
What happens if a county has only a few delegates and each of them will not be able to stay for the entire convention?
No votes may be cast from a county if no member of the delegation is present. However, in senatorial district caucuses at the State Convention, a delegation gets to vote its full delegate strength on roll call votes as long as at least one delegate is present.
What is a senatorial district caucus?
State Convention delegates will meet twice in caucuses made up of only those from each of the state's thirty-one senate districts. Delegates there will elect a permanent caucus chairman, elect one man and one woman to represent them on the State Republican Executive Committee, and elect one person to each of the following committees: Credentials, Organization, Nominations, Platform & Resolutions, and Rules. Delegates will also cast votes for the positions of State Party Chairman and Vice-Chairman. For these positions, the recommendation of the caucus will be forwarded to the State Nominations Committee by the district's member to the committee who shall support them on at least the first round of voting.
What is a congressional district caucus?
State Convention delegates will meet twice in caucuses made up of only those from each of the state's thirty-six congressional districts. Delegates there will elect a permanent caucus chairman, elect three delegates and three alternates to the Republican National Convention, and elect one person to the National Nominations Committee. Delegates will also cast votes for the positions of Presidential Elector, National Committeeman and National Committeewoman. For these positions, the recommendation of the caucus will be forwarded to the National Nominations Committee by the district's member to the committee who shall support them on at least the first round of voting.
May others attend even if they are not delegates or alternates?
Yes, each delegate and alternate has the option to secure a guest pass. Guests may watch all convention activities as well as go to dinners and meetings held by numerous groups, candidates, and officeholders in conjunction with the convention.
How is the platform determined?
A temporary committee will conduct preliminary deliberations for the purpose of making recommendations to the permanent Platform & Resolutions Committee. The permanent Platform & Resolutions Committee will receive the recommendations of the temporary committee, as well as any resolutions filed with the convention secretary. The committee will also hear additional testimony, if offered. Their report will be distributed to delegates and approved on the second day of the convention.
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