First and foremost
for me, I would like to congratulate John for a job well done and thank him for
making us proud of his public service. Years ago when we knew the tide had
turned and
that Liberty County would open
the floodgates and elect republicans the next election, I called John and asked
him to attend the Republican’s state convention. In my mind, he was the best
candidate to defeat the democrats and become the first Republican state
representative from here in over 100 years. John attended that convention
(though it may have been in spite of my invitation rather than because of it).
And he did indeed become our state representative.
With John Otto’s
first term voters found a public servant that wasn’t just going
toAustin to witness what was going on in the state
legislature, but rather he was there to make a difference. No matter whether you
are a big John Otto fan or not, you have to agree he was not, he was a voice
most of the time for conservatives in this area. John’s participation replaced
years of the memories of Zeb Zbranek’s echoing his fellow Democrats with his
votes and coming home to report what Democrats were doing in the state’s
government. Or should I say what they were doing to us through state government.
John also replaced the shorter memory of Dan Ellis’ representation which was
very much a strattled fence approach to changing politics. Dan seemed to want to
be a strong voice for Democrats when they were in power and a strong voice for
Republicans when a candidate could no longer win as a democrat. Thanks for
running John! Thanks for helping us gain respect for this area and improve the
state during your tenure in office.
Of course, with the
rise in the fortunes of Republicans in this area, John also did some things he
may not have liked but voters should always value. John woke up conservatives in
the area to the idea of public service and what could be done in
theTexas’ House of Representatives. Therefore, he
had challengers. Competition for elected positions offers the voters choices and
sometimes deepens the pool from where candidates for all offices come. In John’s
case, he defeated both ……. and Terry ……, but the voters gained by this kind of
competition. Though challengers to successful incumbents are often labeled out
of the mainstream, both these men remain active and worth listening to as the
Republican party evolves with time. It is good
for Liberty to have the same choices the most active
areas in the country have. It is good for our voters to consider the ideas a
more libertarian ad more conservative candidate has. John won against these men
by healthy margins, but his races were always good for the district.
Looking at John’s
record and the things he was focused on in Austin,
voters may have not always agreed with him but in the final analysis they gave
him a big thumbs up. And if it is true his final days as our representative are
numbered, I give the Aggie a big thumbs up too. Thanks John, you done
good.
One of the most
prized qualities many of us conservatives hold dear in an election, is the
freedom to choose among a good field of candidates and the hope that our elected
officials will serve with honor and not serve for too long a period of time
where it becomes a career. With congratulations to John, here is to the
Republican voters in our county: “Congratulations, we are on a roll. Let’s
encourage more good talented folks to put their name on the ballot and offer
their services. We no longer have to be represented by who the local Democrat
elite nominate and we know Republicans do not have a pass the baton mentality.
More good times are ahead!
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