The ART Board
The leadership of ART sheds light on the group’s singular focus and Republicans’ commitment to growing their voting strength in the Texas House. ART’s Board of Directors reads like a who’s who of Republicans who give of their time and very often help raise and give generously to Republican candidates and conservative causes.
The Directors of ART include traditional, formidable Republicans – business and civic leaders and relatively young entrepreneurs -- who are emerging as new leaders in the Facebook-age of political campaigning.
The members of the ART Board have served in leadership positions of Republican candidates up and down the ballot, and are actively working in both Governor Rick Perry and Sen. Kay Hutchison campaigns. Several recently served together on the Statewide Finance Team helping reelect U.S. Senator John Cornyn. All have a thorough understanding of grassroots Texas political campaigns, as well as a remarkable history of civic involvement.
With the announcement about the Board, Pat Robbins, ART Executive Director, announced George Seay joins Hector De Leon as Co-Chair of the ART Board of Directors. Mr. Seay, a successful Dallas businessman who has been instrumental in introducing new people to national and state Republican efforts, helped his grandfather Bill Clements run for Governor of Texas. De Leon is a pioneer of Texas Republican politics and has Chaired ART since 2005. Mr. De Leon is a name partner of De Leon & Washburn in Austin.
“While ART is extremely pleased with the formidable group of Texas leaders on the Board today, we are only getting started,” Mr. Seay said. “The future for Texas Republicans is bright, and ART will play a large role in shaping that future.” Mr. DeLeon added, “ART’s singular focus in 2010 is winning competitive Texas House races. We’ve got great candidates and we’re on the right side of the issues. We have a plan to win competitive races. I like our chances in 2010 and in the years beyond in Texas politics.”
Ms. Robbins has helped lead ART since its inception, helping Republicans win an 88-62 majority in the Texas House in 2003. It was the first time the GOP led the chamber in more than 130 years.
Robbins noted that ART traces its roots back to 1974 and an election that was clearly a turning point in modern Texas politics.
Four months after the election, one hundred dedicated Republicans gathered in a motel near DFW airport to begin laying the groundwork for a remarkable comeback and a string of Republican gains and victories.
ART’s goals today remain focused on building the party from the grass roots up.
