AUSTIN (WBAP/KLIF) – The Republican Party of Texas responded late Wednesday to the City of Houston’s decision to cancel the party’s convention, which was planned for next week in Houston.
Earlier Wednesday, the Houston First Corporation, on behalf of Mayor Sylvester Turner and the City of Houston, terminated the Texas GOP’s binding contract to host the event at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
“This cancellation is not about the health and safety of Houstonians or the delegates and guests to our Convention,” said RPT Chairman, James Dickey. “We made every effort to conduct our convention in a safe manner, working cooperatively with the Convention Center, going well beyond the requirements of the Center’s health safety plan. If Mayor Turner’s motivations were pure, he could have cancelled the lease weeks ago. Instead, he waited until the eve of the Convention to inflict the greatest disruption.”
Dickey suggested the decision could have been motivated by politics.
“Mayor Turner has publicly stated his intention to interrupt the Convention process and disenfranchise Republicans around the state,” said Dickey. “Mayor Turner’s disdain for all Republicans is evident by the divisive rhetoric he uses to describe conservatives and our efforts to participate in the electoral process.”
The TRP intends to continue with the convention. Dickey said the business of the convention will continue online if necessary.
“Make no mistake, our State Convention will continue unimpeded,” he insisted.
The party plans to take legal action against the City of Houston.
Listen to Clayton Neville’s story below:
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