Local News
Hopson goes Republican
By Nathan Straus
nstraus@jacksonvilleprogress.com
State Rep. Chuck Hopson announced Friday he has formally resigned from the Democratic Party and will join the Republican Party at a press conference slated for Nov. 14.
The representative, also a Jacksonville pharmacist, cited concerns about President Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress.
“Ever since this last election, Democrats haven’t reflected the values of East Texas,” Hopson said. “We’ve thought about it for a long time. My values are more in line with the Republican Party.”
He said the decision to switch was made some time close to Tuesday evening.
Hopson said in a press release he felt it was important to announce his decision immediately in fairness to the Texas Democrat Party to allow time to select a Democratic nominee for the 2010 election.
“I believe in democracy and respect its process,” Hopson said. “I will be running as a Republican in 2010 and will campaign hard to win the Republican primary and general elections.”
Among the Republican stances on issues Hopson said resonated with him are family values, illegal immigration reform, gun rights, property owner rights and the death penalty. These issues prompted the change.
“The Republicans seem pretty happy about it,” he said. “The Democratic Party in Austin is not real happy.”
Hopson was elected as a Democrat almost 10 years ago.
Hopson said he doesn’t think anything about his values and future voting record will be affected by the shift.
“I will vote like I have always voted,” he said. “I don’t anticipate anything will change.”
When asked about his chances in the 2010 election, Hopson said he doesn’t know whether or not the change to Republican will affect his odds of winning.
“This is just a path I’ve got to go down,” he said.
According to Hopson, his staff is surprised at the change, but has accepted it.
Joe Straus, Texas House speaker, said he believes Chuck is an outstanding public servant who fights hard for his East Texas constituents.
“The Republican Party warmly welcomes Chuck because of his integrity and commitment to conservative values,” Straus said.
Gov. Rick Perry welcomed Hopson to the Republican Party in a press release: “Representative Hopson’s switch to the Republican Party is a decision I deeply respect and one I know he did not come to lightly. I am excited and proud to welcome Chuck into the party, and look forward to working with him and fellow Republicans to address the issues most vital to keeping Texas strong and full of opportunity, especially during these challenging economic times.”
Attending Hopson’s press conference next Saturday will be local, state and national Republican leaders, including U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, Joe Straus, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples and several East Texas Republican officials.
In the 2008 general election, over 71 percent of the voters in Texas House District 11 supported both John McCain for president and Cornyn's re-election. The district includes Cherokee, Houston, Panola and Rusk counties. Hopson has represented East Texas in the state Legislature since 2001.
- Local News
-
-
2 deaths at RV park in Rusk County
A medical examiner says carbon monoxide killed a couple at an RV park in Rusk County.
-
Fires strike 2 more east Texas churches
DALLAS (AP) — A sheriff's dispatcher says fires have struck two more rural east Texas churches, just hours after investigators announced that a blaze last week marked the eighth arson against a house of worship in the state this year.
-
Tax office to see repairs
RUSK — The Cherokee County Commissioners’ Court voted Monday to approve re-roofing work on the Jacksonville Tax Office, 301 W. Commerce St.
-
Bullard City Council meets tonight
Bullard City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
The City Council will discuss annexation of approximately 221 acres. Petitions for annexation are being brought to the council by Katherine Taylor Teasdale, Darla Kay Graham, L. Teasdale and R2 Properties, LLC, Thomas L. Roper. -
The wait begins ...
BULLARD — Petitions calling for a vote to legalize alcohol sales in the city limits were turned in to City Secretary Doris Crockett Friday.
-
Miss Texas visits LMC
Lon Morris College students will see Miss Texas 2009 Kristen Blair Wednesday, Director of Public Relations Afton Barber said.
-
What's News for Feb. 9, 2010
Get your non-profit organization’s fundraisers and other events in the Daily Progress’s What’s News calendar free of charge by e-mailing event information to living@jacksonvilleprogress.com. The newspaper reserves the right to edit any submission for space and content.
-
When “Time Was Young and Life a Thing Devine”: New Birmingham, Texas
Editor’s note: The following is a research paper written by Thanasis Kombos, a Jacksonville resident who is currently a history major at Stephen F. Austin State University. Kombos prefaced his submission of this paper to the Daily Progress for publication with a letter explaining his motivation for sending us his paper. A portion of his letter prefaces this section of his paper. The subsequent parts of his paper will be printed on the coming three Sundays, accompanied by photos, as applicable, of New Birmingham.
-
County population could hit 50,000
Cherokee County officials have loosened up in regards to the upcoming census, County Judge Chris Davis said.
The possibility of Cherokee County moving from a county of 48,000 people to a county of 50,000 will not bring with it the massive procedural changes seen in larger cities and counties. -
JISD plans ‘Freshman Fair’ at MS
Jacksonville eighth graders will get a sneak peek at high school life Monday night at the district’s Freshman Fair, to be held 6-7:30 p.m. at the Jacksonville Middle School cafeteria.
- More Local News Headlines
-
2 deaths at RV park in Rusk County
