The Executive Committee voted to endorse incumbents Governor Rick Perry and Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples in their respective races for re-election.
The meeting was held and these actions were taken in accordance with TTIA by-laws and in response to pressing requests which required timely action. First, the Executive Committee needed to promptly respond to a recommendation from the Legislative Affairs Committee. The Legislative Affairs Committee, at its most recent meeting on Feb. 16th in Austin, voted to recommend that the Executive Committee approve a policy for TTIA to make political endorsements and to vote on the issue as soon as possible in light of the upcoming primary elections. Secondly, TTIA needed to respond to endorsement requests very recently received from incumbent candidates Governor Rick Perry and Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples.
After thorough deliberation of the endorsement requests, the respective races, and the potential impact on TTIA, the Executive Committee voted to endorse Governor Perry and Commissioner Staples. The vote on each endorsement was 8 ayes and 0 nays.
Regarding the Legislative Affairs Committee request to adopt a policy for endorsements, the Executive Committee did not vote on this issue. Instead, the Executive Committee felt this issue deserved more extensive review and study and will do so between now and the next regular meeting to be held in April in conjunction with Travel Fair in Corpus Christi.
If you have any questions, you may contact me at davidt@ttia.org or (512) 320-8842 or TTIA Board Chair Dan Decker at dan.decker@SeaWorld.com or (210) 523-3180.
Thanks, David Teel President & CEO Texas Travel Industry Association 3345 Bee Cave Rd., Suite 102-A Austin, TX 78746 512-328-8842
Please note that any endorsements are in no way intended to infringe upon members' right to free democratic choice.