(Note: if you have not read Part One-Now What? you may access it just before this article by going to the main page (Texarkanagop.blogspot.com) and scrolling down to January 21, 2021.)
The next thing in our three-step process discussed previously in Part One-Now What? is to start challenging the Democrats in Washington. Since we are currently two years away from mid-terms, this brings us to the question "How can we challenge Democrats in Washington?"
The process will not be easy, but as you know the foundation of the Republican Party is not in Washington DC. The foundation is not even in Little Rock, Arkansas. The foundation of the Republican Party is simple...it is people. The foundation of our Republican Party is you, me, your neighbor, your friends, your family members, and people you meet on the street. Any party in the history of political movements has started with one person, one idea, and one movement. The Republican Party, as you know, started when a group of Anti-Slavery people decided it was time to slow the growth of slavery in the United States and eventually stop slavery altogether. These early Republicans were known as "Abolitionists" because of their desire to abolish slavery. From a few people, a movement grew. That movement grew not in Washington, but in the towns, cities, and counties across America. Small groups, became county groups, county groups then contributed to state organizations, and state organizations, as well as county organizations, eventually pushed for a national candidate. The push back against the Democrat machine in Washington starts with you.
Your first step is going to be to learn about the party. Look up information on the Republican Party, read the platform, read the rules, read the history. Increase your knowledge not only so you can share it with others, but also so you will be prepared to discuss it if needed.
After you have an idea or an improved idea of the party, reach out and find a local party or committee. Almost every county or parish in the United States has a Republican group of some sort. You may find a few people in the group, or you may find hundreds. You may find a group with little direction, or you may find a group with webpages, Facebook pages, meetings, events, and so much more. Whatever is in your area, find it and get involved.
The final step after you have become involved in a committee or local party is to stay active and promote and push Republican candidates. No, you will not be voting on a Washington candidate for two years, but you will be voting on other candidates. Regardless of whether the race is a non-partisan race or not, you must seek out conservative and Republican-minded candidates. From the local dog catcher to the city board, to the county governing body, to state representatives and Senators, up to Governor, you must find, promote, and support Republican candidates.
Once elected, officials like state representatives or state senators will often have the ears of the people in Washington. Those same elected officials will share their Republican views with school boards, county officials, city officials, and others.
A few years ago a friend of mine ran for mayor of a small town. He is a registered Republican and in fact a former chairman of a county committee. When he ran for the office of mayor, he was running for a non-partisan position. Because he was a Republican, Republicans in the area supported him. Despite the fact that the position was non-partisan, one of the major questions he received during his campaign was "What party do you represent?" He answered honestly, "Well, this is a non-partisan race; however, I am a Republican." For many voters, that is all they needed to hear. Some voted for him because he is Republican, and I am sure some voted against him because he is Republican...the bottom line, he won the election and served as mayor. He was not a Republican mayor because the position was non-partisan...but the city had a Republican for mayor.
Find, promote, and push your candidates to be Republican from dog catcher to Governor across your state. The more Republicans we have in the office, even in non-partisan positions, the more our views, ideas, and beliefs will be promoted at the county, city, state, and ultimately federal level. Remember, many of those representatives in Washington started out in state and local politics first.
(In part three we will discuss teaching or educating the public about the party)
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