Katrina Pierson, a Principled Conservative
Americans today think of the War for Independence as an American Revolution against the British Empire, but in many aspects it was also a civil war. Why? Because American loyalists, or "Tories" as they were called by their opponents, opposed the Revolution and many took up arms against the rebels. A loyalist was someone who was loyal to King George III. As far as the patriots were concerned, a Tory was a British soldier.
When Ted Cruz defeated a deep-pocketed, well-funded, and well-heeled "establishment" Republican, Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst of Texas, he ousted a loyalist, so to speak. This account has drawn comparisons to Marco Rubio, the Florida Cuban-American who rode a wave of Tea Party-fueled, anti-establishment anger to win a U.S. Senate seat in 2010.
Ironically, Katrina Pierson, a principled Tea Party activist, is today in the exact same spot. Katrina Pierson is challenging Rep. Pete Sessions in the Republican primary. Pete Sessions, first elected in 1996, is considered by some to be a loyal establishment-type Republican, a RINO to be exact.
Freedom Works has listed a number of issues on which Rep. Pete Sessions has voted yes:
1. Pete Sessions Voted for the Wall Street Bailout (T.A.R.P.)
2- Pete Sessions Voted for the Ineffective "Super Committee" Debt Hike
3. Pete Sessions Voted for the Fiscal Cliff Tax Hike
4. Pete Sessions Voted against Reining in the NSA
5. Pete Sessions has Consistently Voted for the PATRIOT Act
6. Pete Sessions Voted for Medicare Part D
8. Pete Sessions Voted for Big Agriculture's Corporate Welfare Bill
9. Pete Sessions Voted for Massive Pork-Barrel Spending
10. Pete Sessions Voted for Gas Mileage Standards and Massive Subsidies for Green Energy
If the past is any indicator of the future, Katrina Pierson is on her way to the defeating a heavily-funded Rep. Pete Sessions.
"You in Texas did it with Ted Cruz," Michelle Malkin said last month in a fundraising event for the Katrina Pierson campaign. "It can be done."
"Katrina Pierson is an utterly fearless, principled conservative," Ted Cruz declared, without mentioning her opponent.
"Today, I am proud to announce my candidacy for the United States Congress in Texas' 32nd Congressional district," said Pierson on her opening statement, giving her reasons for running.
"I was raised in this district. It is my home. I have seen it grow into one of the most vibrant, influential areas in the country. Families of all backgrounds call this district home, raise families, and start businesses here. We represent the best of Texas. But we are not represented by the best in Texas."
"It is up to us, the American people, to ensure the sun rises again on America."
"I am living proof that anyone from any background can make a difference. When I arrived at my very first Tea Party in April of 2009, I stood at the podium as one of you: just a mom with no pedigree, just someone who refused to be a statistic. I was nothing more than a citizen of Dallas County who decided I had seen enough and I wanted my voice to be heard. We have come a long way since that spring day in 2009, the day together we started a revolution across this country that has shaken the walls of Washington."
As a dedicated Tea Party activist, Pierson was a top volunteer on Ted Cruz's 2012 Senate campaign and Cruz's father, Rafael Cruz, has been a solid backer of her bid to oust Sessions.
Like Senator Ted Cruz, Katrina is what every conservative has been praying for, a fighter willing to prove she believes it's time to put "Exclusive Establishment Republicans" on notice. We can no longer tolerate the status quo.
Erick Erickson wrote a piece on Red State on Congressman Pete Sessions, who steadfastly avoids serious town halls where he may face conservatives / tea party activists. In Dallas he was recently caught on camera claiming 1) that he was unable to get Obamacare defunding language from Senator Cruz (false), and 2) that this language supposedly does not work (language he co-sponsors).
"Pete Sessions has long since been in need of a challenge, but he's now surpassed uselessness and turned into outright enemy of those of us trying to stop ObamaCare."
In her speeches, Pierson argues Rep. Sessions, as part of the Washington establishment, is out of touch with the views of the 32nd district. Pierson also argues that Rep. Sessions is not really living in the district, but instead resides in Florida. "The couple owns a house near Orlando, though Mr. Sessions listed a Dallas apartment as his address when he filed for re-election."
America is a nation and an ideal, birthed by a group of visionaries that gave it the Constitution to nurture it and protect it. What makes our country America the Beautiful, more than just a blessed land, is our legacy, the Constitution. Sadly, the Constitution also makes for America the vulnerable by enshrining freedoms that enables the malevolent to subvert and destroy the country from within. You, the voter, are the guardian of the Constitution. Your vote determines the health and survival of America.
Today our country and our party are at a crossroads. The reign of the ossified old Republican establishment is about to be ended by a new generation of young, principled conservatives. Katrina Pierson represents this breed of Republicans, destined to revive the party that stands for the best hopes of all Americans.