Rep. Phil King (R-Weatherford) and Sen. Dan Patrick (R-Houston) announced the formation of GOPAC-Texas, a fundraising, recruiting, and training effort to rebuild the Republican majority in the Texas House and Senate. This is the first time something like this has been done - pairing state efforts with a national brand - and it appears to be coming from outside the usual suspects.

 

Could a true new day be dawning for Texas Republicans? It's too early to say, but it certainly seems that way. While GOPAC-TX will not get involved in primaries except in open seats where they have recruited a specific candidate, the people involved are some of the guaranteed conservatives in the legislature, most of whom are in "safe" districts and can concentrate on protecting the Republican flank.

 

King did make clear that GOPAC-TX will be working with the party, and the already-formed Texas Republican House Committee (of which familiar face Travis Griffin is executive director).

The executive board of this effort includes: Reps. Geanie Morrison, Dan Flynn, Wayne Christian, Carl Isett, Todd Hunter, Phil King, and Sens. Jane Nelson and Patrick. They're joined by former Bexar County District Judge Rene Diaz and former UT football (and two-time Super Bowl winner Denver Bronco) Dan Neil.