At a special meeting held Tuesday, the Houston Young Republicans elected Chris Busby as their new President.
How awesome is that?
Remember when I first introduced you to Chris? That was a low point in the history of the Harris County Republican Party. Chris was vindicated of sorts when he was unopposed to be the Precinct Chair for Precinct 34.
I am so proud of this young man. I can’t think of a more difficult position in politics than to be a gay Republican in Harris County. Chris is a model of hard work, sacrifice, and principled Republican values – the party would be better off if more of us emulated his work ethic. Read Houston Chronicle columnist Lisa Falkenberg’s profile of Chris.
Here are a few of the issues that he ran his campaign for President of HYR on:
- Growing the group and hoping to reach the goal of making HYR the largest chapter in the state.
- Recruiting members to become precinct chairs and then pushing members to go for other positions of party leadership including SD chairs, SREC members and even run for elected office. (This year two HYR members are running for office including Carl Jarvis for District C and Jonathan Hansen for At Large-4)
- Continue our fundraising success. Currently we are the most well funded chapter in the state. I hope to continue building upon our resources and using the funds wisely to promote the Republican brand among younger voters.
- Last but not least to make younger Republicans voices heard in the process and to make sure the party is representing the views of younger voters and listening to the issues and concerns they raise.
I have no doubt that Chris will achieve those goals.
The Log Cabin Republicans had this to say:
LCR National & LCR Houston Congratulate Christopher Busby on Election as Houston YR President
Date: August 28, 2015
Washington, D.C. & Houston, TX — Log Cabin Republicans of Houston member Christopher Busby has been elected President of the Houston Young Republicans in a hard-fought campaign. Busby was largely responsible for the relaunch of the Log Cabin Republicans presence in Harris County, Texas, and for his unabashed advocacy as a gay Republican in support of LGBT equality.
“It’s always an honor to be selected by your peers for a leadership role,” Busby stated. “I think it’s even more so for such a well-respected and politically active club like the Houston Young Republicans. I campaigned on expanding the influence of the voices of young people within the Republican Party and used my previous experience as Log Cabin Republicans of Houston President to underscore why I had the leadership and experience to grow the Chapter. I’m a believer in the big-tent philosophy and look forward to pushing the upcoming generation into the party process and to positions where their voices can be heard.”
“I’m proud of our Log Cabin Republicans of Houston member Christopher Busby for his election as the new President of the local chapter of the Houston Young Republicans,” Log Cabin Republicans of Houston President Antoine Taylor said.
Log Cabin Republicans National Executive Director Gregory T. Angelo added:
Hearty congratulations to Mr. Busby, who is the latest member of Log Cabin Republicans to be duly elected to a leadership role in a high-profile auxiliary of the GOP. With a looming referendum on LGBT non-discrimination protections headed to the voters of Harris County this fall in the all-important deep red state of Texas, Mr. Busby is well-positioned as President of the Houston Young Republicans to give voice to the common-sense conservative message of inclusive politics resonating among young voters across the Lone Star State.
All of us “older” Republicans in Harris County need to stand by Chris and give him all the support he needs. The future depends on it.