In their first year on campus, Texas A&M Galveston’s College Republicans are taking strides to become more active in state politics.
Despite having a little more than 20 active members on a campus of fewer than 2,500 students, the chapter was recognized at the state College Republicans convention this month for its campaigning efforts for the gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott and state house candidate Wayne Faircloth, namely in the more than 400 phone calls they made to garner votes for both candidates.
“It’s really motivating to have ourselves ranked,” said Timothy Bücher, College Republicans chairman and maritime administration senior. “It helps us to continue on after midterm elections to push even harder. It really shows us that we can get out there, that we have the drive and that Aggie intuition to keep going.”
Never in the history of District 23 has a Republican state representative been elected. The volunteers from the College Republicans are working to change that by assisting in the Faircloth campaign.
“We feel that part of our duty in particular with such a tight race going on now is to try to help people understand what’s going on in the political system and to get out and get involved in politics,” Bücher said. “We’re trying as much as possible to push people to go vote and to get involved with the Wayne Faircloth campaign and with the Greg Abbott Campaign — and of course with the Republican Party as a whole.”
Students provide volunteers during regular business hours. Instead of using free time to hang out with friends and relax, Lauren Cottingham, a representative for the Faircloth campaign, said they spend it in the community benefitting a cause they consider important.
“They have come out to our office almost daily, four to five at a time, to make phone calls, set up signs in some of the voting locations and have also gone door-to-door in Galveston Island and all through Texas City,” Cottingham said. “I know that Wayne greatly appreciates their help. As far as getting numbers for phone calls and doors, they have seriously been some of the most reliable people helping out.”
Austin Reid, treasurer of the chapter and maritime administration junior, said the group members take pride in the impact they are making in the community.
“Political awareness and participation is essential for the progress of our generation and to ensure future success of this great nation,” Reid said. “Our grassroots actions as an organization are part of the first step to help bring our country back on track. Grass root initiatives are building blocks of progress.”
Cottingham said the group has a chance to help rewrite the area’s history.
“A Republican has not held the seat in the history of Texas,” Cottingham said. “So if Wayne is elected then this will be the first time one will ever hold the seat. So in a way they are truly making history down here in Galveston.”
Members of the Galveston chapter of College Republicans meet with Sen. Ted Cruz.
Photo provided