Southern Republican Leadership Conference

This is the time of year when we reconnect with family, friends, good food and good memories…when we think about the events of the past year and dream about the future.

During 2009, we have seen  incredible tax increases and 10% unemployment. We’ve seen an unfolding hostile takeover of a healthcare system that may result in socialized medicine. We’ve seen the face of our strong country cower internationally because of President Obama’s actions. It’s clear that he is failing and that Americans are experiencing “voters’ remorse” as 2009 ends.

It is during this time of year that we think about our past and our future and consider the direction of our country. And that makes me want to stand up and fight back. I sometimes feel that Republicans have been lax in our assertiveness, with our candidates and in our strategy, but all of that will change this time around.  I am prepared to come out swinging, and the first step is defining our party and our leadership at the 2010 Southern Republican Leadership Conference.

SRLC 2010 will be held in New Orleans in April. The host hotel, the Hilton Riverside New Orleans, is situated in Louisiana’s premiere location, nestled on the bank of the Mississippi River between the posh Warehouse District and the infamous French Quarter. Aside from being the most significant GOP event prior to the 2012 Republican National Convention, SRLC 2010 is bringing the best of one of the country’s most exciting and interesting destinations together with the nation’s top conservative speakers. Come for the fun, come for the food, come for the speeches and straw poll…come for it all.

SRLC 2010 is the first chance we have as conservatives to preview the field for the 2012 presidential cycle. We are going to be the first voices heard as we decide who best represents our party for the challenges we face today. This is our time hear what our leaders have to say, and even more importantly, a time for us to talk back and tell them what we want as Republicans. It will be a great time for all of us!

Periodically in America, we must face decision time, and 2010 is one of those times. Join us in New Orleans in April. This is important for you, your family, and for all the other conservatives in your community. So plan a trip for your Republican club, your YR chapter or your family. Or give a unique gift this Christmas season by giving SRLC registrations to the Republicans in your life.

Holidays are coming soon; don’t forget to purchase registrations for your friends and family while discounts are still available. Conference registrations are $259, but purchase before Christmas and save almost $100 dollars. Full Conference packages are $189 and VIP registrations are $520.

We hope to see you in New Orleans in April. Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Health Care Basketball

              It appears that the game is officially on after watching even sensible senator after senator cave last week into the Democrats’ road to socialized medicine.  Most blatant was the $300 million bribe that successfully purchased the vote of Senator Mary Landrieu to clear the way towards debating the largest-potential- government-purchase of the free market in history.  We have now hit the point to where the senate floor will now actually debate the merits of socialism . . . .  that’s socialism – and with a $1 trillion price tag.  President Reagan reminded us that freedom will constantly be one generation away from extinction.  This final vote, should the bill matriculate through debate, will bring this generation one step closer to this.

               
The above video by the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest details just what this “gift” from the government will be like.  Not only is this approach by the government morally bankrupt, it is mathematically, economically, and financially impossible to carry out the long-term benefits it claims.   But what does that matter?  Over the course of the rest of the debate on healthcare reform, we are going to see unprecedented amounts of bribery – at least that in the public eye – by the Dems to ensure that enough votes are secured.  We will be watching . . . the bribe count must begin . . .  But what is a few extra million or billion here or there when Washington has rewritten the standard for first-year spending by an administration?  Thus, the SRLC 2010 will be reinforcing our base so that country does not lose its base.  For it is not about politics, it is about policy.  Policy that is based upon moral fabric and grounded in economic and fiscal theory.  But, mostly, when you’re right . . . you’re right.

                 Yes, it is game on . . . and it is time to stand up and fight before it is game over!

            2008 was supposed to be a referendum on conservatism.  We were the down-and-outs, the has-beens, and the politics of yesteryear.  Our time had come and gone, they all said.   Newspapers, magazines, talk show hosts and colorful punditry of all shapes and sizes swiftly rendered their verdict on the Republican Party: it’s dead. Done. Over and out.

            Yet here we remain, after a year of watching the Democrats and liberals’ romp through government—with often curious and unpleasant results.  They were supposed to fix the economy, yet are now reduced to issuing falsified reports full of fuzzy math purportedly extolling the virtues of big-government bailouts.  They were supposed to revitalize American industry, yet are nervously confronted with double-digit unemployment figures.

            People always seem to want Democrats in charge, until they actually are.  Instead of focusing on economic issues and job creation, they’ve focused on energy taxes (cap & trade), pseudo-nationalized healthcare expansion, the quadrupling of the federal debt, and generally ignored the American population that elected them with a mandate to help the economy. 

            So how can we revitalize the economy without breaking the bank? Enter the conservatives.  During this past year we’ve done some soul-searching, and have the energy, ideas and creative capacity our counterparts lack.  We understand economics. We know not to raise taxes in a recession. We can make health care better for everyone without nationalizing our medical system, and make it easier for noninsured people to acquire.  In short, we need the adults back in charge in Washington.

            This is a new era, full of new people with new ideas—but solid ones, not crazy suppositions and fuzzy math.  Instead of looking to the past, failed policies of Carter-era big government, we’re looking forward to making our government work for us in a more efficient, fair way.  The SRLC is going to be our drawing board, figuring out how to solve our problems while remaining true to solid principles of economics, fairness and common sense.  Virginia and New Jersey clearly rejected the hollow showmanship of ‘Yes, We Can’ politics in favor of ‘Yes, It Works’ conservatism.  The American people are ready for us to lead and look forward, and we’re ready. 2010, bring it on.

               I am constantly reminded of the quote by French philosopher, and early contributor to European conservatism, Joseph Marie de Maistre when he stated that “Every country has the government it deserves.”  Certainly while de Maistre’s context and philosophy behind the original intent of the quotation might vary some from our current situation, I am no less struck by its applicability and simplicity in framing the issues with which we deal today.  Through this perspective, it is quickly revealed that the Obama-Pelosi-Reid triumvirate could not possibly come to power on issues, stances, and political philosophy.  In no way have they ever truly resonated with the heart of America.  No, when history needed us in the conservative movement to embrace our identity, to separate ourselves from muddled ideologies for the good of the American people, and to brighten the Bold Colors of President Reagan – we slept.  Moreover, we retreated back into pale pastels and the American people were catapulted into a culture of confusion and away from the principles that make this country the preeminent force in the world (as a concession, it is “change” by definition).  Our existence is the one that history has proven, the one upon which history continues to shine so brightly and one that has stood the test of time.  Our existence is based upon true free market principles, centered on freedom, and grounded in the thorough understanding and embrace of life and personal liberty.   In these we find our answers, for they really are endowed upon us by something much greater than anything one could ever pass through Capitol Hill.  And yet, they require Bold Colors to light the way for this country.  And because we have these solutions, because we believe so strongly in the existence of this party and this country, we have a profound responsibility – one established in the beginning by Lincoln and refreshed for us by Reagan – that requires a firm stance in doing right, in stepping out there, in being bold.  In other words, in deserving a government that is right and just for this country.

                We will see these Bold Colors emboldened and emblazoned in the SRLC next year in New Orleans.  There is already an intense interest and excitement in the upcoming SRLC, thus far, and it is going to be highlighted by the bold and dynamic values and individuals that make our party what it is.  Most importantly, this edition of the SRLC will be serving as the collective voice for the current “re-enlightenment” of the Republican Party and will be the catalyst sending us off into the next presidential cycle, the 2010 mid-term elections, and back to deserving a government built upon American core values.

While the 2010 Southern Republican Leadership Conference does not officially kick off for over four more months, the country is anxiously awaiting the face of the movement that we are seeing – and, no doubt, the SRLC will be delivering next spring.  Since Inauguration Day in January, the current administration has turned to the left more times than a NASCAR driver and it continues to disenfranchise more of the electorate each day.  While President Obama swept through much of the general election on “hope and change,” it seems as though Americans are quickly finding that they are changing what they previously hoped.  Most recently, White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod epitomized this growing philosophical divide between the administration and the American people when he suggested that the president will take action to ensure that any amendment restricting federal funding for abortion coverage is removed from final legislation.  This move would run counter to an earlier Gallup Poll which found that more Americans identify as “pro-life” than as “pro-choice.”  Incredibly, while Obama-care is increasingly becoming the most polarizing issue of recent presidential administrations, Obama continues to fly counter to the heartbeat of America on the most important issues facing us today – namely life, liberty, and security.  Furthermore, the decision of the Obama administration to try Khalid Sheik Mohammed in a New York City civilian court rather than a military tribunal was met with disagreement of nearly tw0-thirds (64%) of Americans polled.  Yet, the president greets such responses with a cold shoulder, sheer disdain, or highbrow condescension – all of which amount to conduct unbecoming of a president of the people, for the people, and by the people.

What is most amazing here is the dichotomy of attitudes Obama carries both abroad (see European Apology Tour or excessive bowing to foreign dictators) and domestically with complete and utter disregard for the voice of the American people through tea parties, town halls, and polls.  In fact, nearly six out of ten Americans polled disagree with the direction of the country.  This president continues to govern not out of anchored, directional values, but of a high level of hubris where personal arrogance outweighs any of the promised pragmatism.  

Still, while the abyss of the Carter years brought our country Reagan’s vision of the shining city on the hill, a similar time is now to seize control of the direction of this amazing country and to turn our eyes back toward that shining city.  To achieve this, our country will need to get back to ownership of our destiny, back to the “rugged individualism” that shaped the core of America and which is now needed to revitalize the governance of our lives, our country, and our future.  Until then, the SRLC will continue efforts to build the base for this country, fostering the values and beliefs that still exist as the foundation for most Americans today.  With the first straw poll for the Republican Party on its way at the SRLC and a platform being set to kickoff the next presidential cycle, SRLC 2010 will be filled with excitement and an action that will rock the country back to its rightful place as that shining city.

SRLC 2010 New Media Challenge

We’re pleased to announce the 2010 Southern Republican Leadership Conference
NEW MEDIA CHALLENGE!

The New Media Challenge (NMC) is a competition between each of the 14 Southern States to see which state GOP has the most comprehensive and cutting edge new media strategy.

According to Charlie Davis, SRLC Director, “The goal of the competition is to tap into the competitive spirit at each state organization, to share best practices heading into the 2010 cycle and, of course, to have a little fun.”

A champion and runner-up will be chosen in each of the following categories – Website, Email Campaign, Facebook, Twitter, Viral Video and Independent Social Network.

An overall winner will also be selected.

Finalists in each category will be announced in March and the winners will be announced and congratulated at the conference. State party staff as well as consultants (if applicable) will be recognized for their accomplishments. The winners will be chosen by an independent panel of experts.

75% of each score will be based on the details below, 15% on the effectiveness of SRLC 2010 promotion and 10% will be left up to the judge’s discretion. The panel of judges will be announced over the next few weeks.

Best State Party Website:

Each state party’s website will be judged on both objective and subjective qualities. Areas of judgment include quality of design, ease of use, relevance, timeliness and interactivity.

Email Outreach Campaign:

States should ensure that info@srlc2010.com is subscribed to their lists and/or submit their top three campaigns prior to January 15^th. The email campaigns will be judged on their overall effectiveness including design, graphics, call to action and formatting.

Facebook:

Half of the score for this category will come from the total number of fans/friends and half from the quality of your page/feed.

Twitter:

Half of the score for this category will come from the total number of followers and half from the quality of your feed.

Viral Video:

The videos will be judged on quality, effectiveness and reach. You can submit your top 3 and/or our judges will evaluate any that are emailed to us, linked from your website or in your YouTube account.

Independent Social Network:

Independent networks, like Ning or other custom community applications, will be judged on the number of members; the quality of posts, videos and pictures and the overall vibrancy of the community.

If you have any questions about the competition please call 225-753-3549 or email khopkins@srlc2010.com.

As the host of the first straw poll for the Republican Primary, SRLC is generally regarded as the unofficial start to the presidential cycle. All full-conference registrants and VIP registrants will be able to voice their opinion and vote for our next presidential candidate. And Republicans are ready for some serious action.

We’ve seen the outrage across the country – the tea parties…the town halls…Conservatives are coming together like we haven’t in years to fight back against the Obama machine and SRLC is just the ignition boost we need to get us on track.

We’ve seen the left get off track since Obama took up in the White House. From proposing ideas bordering on socialism (and then using a constant campaign to promote them), to congress members being too scared to hear the truth from their constituents, to focusing on torpedoing Rush’s bid to buy the Saint Louis Ram (yeah, like that’s relevant to the conversation) – the left has illustrated that they really do not understand America, Americans, or what makes both great. It’s no surprise that Barack’s DISAPPROVAL rating has skyrocketed to 49%.

Its time for us conservatives to rev our engines, come up with a plan, and take victory seriously. We have a lot to discuss next year at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference, as we kick off the next presidential election cycle off in style in the Big Easy. Hearing from potential candidates and sitting governors, senators, and representatives from across the south is the first step of the process. We must see which of our candidates and elected officials stand strong for our fundamental beliefs. We must also hear from our nation’s leading experts in campaigns, communications, grassroots, so we can be smart and tactical in our approach. And finally, we must each voice our opinions in the first straw poll of the presidential cycle.

Unlike the wooing of the left that bases a high importance on smoke and mirrors, conservatives tend to consider, contemplate, convince and act. This is just the beginning.

The 2010 SRLC will be adjacent to the French Quarter Festival. The festival is large enough to draw amazing musical talent and first class food – but small enough not to overwhelm the city.

The French Quarter Festival is the South’s largest free music festival attracting over 400,000 visitors each year.

Dozens of bands will be playing just steps away from our conference hotel. You can read more about the festival by visiting their website fqfi.org.

Congressman Ron Paul of Texas enjoys a national reputation as the premier advocate for liberty in politics today. Dr. Paul is the leading spokesman in Washington for limited constitutional government, low taxes, free markets, and a return to sound monetary policies based on commodity-backed currency. He is known among both his colleagues in Congress and his constituents for his consistent voting record in the House of Representatives: Dr. Paul never votes for legislation unless the proposed measure is expressly authorized by the Constitution. In the words of former Treasury Secretary William Simon, Dr. Paul is the “one exception to the Gang of 535″ on Capitol Hill.

Ron Paul was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Gettysburg College and the Duke University School of Medicine, before proudly serving as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force during the 1960s. He and his wife Carol moved to Texas in 1968, where he began his medical practice in Brazoria County. As a specialist in obstetrics/gynecology, Dr. Paul has delivered more than 4,000 babies! He and Carol, who reside in Lake Jackson, Texas, are the proud parents of five children and have seventeen grandchildren.

While serving in Congress during the late 1970s and early 1980s, Dr. Paul’s limited-government ideals were not popular in Washington. He served on the House Banking committee, where he was a strong advocate for sound monetary policy and an outspoken critic of the Federal Reserve’s inflationary measures. He also was a key member of the Gold Commission, advocating a return to a gold standard for our currency. He was an unwavering advocate of pro-life and pro-family values. Dr. Paul consistently voted to lower or abolish federal taxes, spending, and regulation, and used his House seat to actively promote the return of government to its proper constitutional levels. In 1984, he voluntarily relinquished his House seat and returned to his medical practice.

Dr. Paul returned to Congress in 1997 to represent the 14th Congressional district of Texas. He serves on the House Financial Services Committee, the International Relations committee, and the Joint Economic Committee. On the Financial Services Committee, Rep. Paul serves as the vice-chairman of the Oversight and Investigations subcommittee. He continues to advocate a dramatic reduction in the size of the federal government and a return to constitutional principles.

Dr. Paul is the author of several books, including Challenge to Liberty; The Case for Gold; and A Republic, If You Can Keep It. He has been a distinguished counselor to the Ludwig von Mises Institute, and is widely quoted by scholars and writers in the fields of monetary policy, banking, and political economy. He has received many awards and honors during his career in Congress, from organizations such as the National Taxpayers Union, Citizens Against Government Waste, the Council for a Competitive Economy, Young Americans for Freedom, and countless others.

Dr. Paul’s consistent voting record prompted one Congressman to comment that “Ron Paul personifies the Founding Fathers’ ideal of the citizen-statesman. He makes it clear that his principles will never be compromised, and they never are.” Another Congresswoman added that “There are few people in public life who, through thick and thin, rain or shine, stick to their principles. Ron Paul is one of those few.”

Michael S. Steele was elected Chairman of the Republican National Committee on January 30, 2009. As Chairman Mr. Steele is setting a new direction for the Republican Party – actively engaging Americans in their local communities and empowering state and local Republican organizations to do the same.

A self-described “Lincoln Republican,” Mr. Steele earned a place in history in 2003 when he was elected Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, becoming the first African-American elected to statewide office in the state.

An expert on political strategy and election reform, he most recently served as Chairman of GOPAC, and also held posts on the National Federal Election Reform Commission and the NAACP Blue Ribbon Commission on Election Reform.

Mr. Steele’s experiences as a successful elected conservative African-American Republican and his engaging speaking style have launched him into national prominence. His first major exposure was during an appearance at the 2004 Republican National Convention. Since then, President George W. Bush selected Steele to be part of the U.S. delegation to the investiture of Pope Benedict XVI, and a member of the Presidential Delegation to the Leon H. Sullivan Summit VIII in Tanzania.

Mr. Steele’s ability as a communicator and political analyst have been showcased through his roles as a contributor on the Fox News Channel and regular host of the Salem Radio Network’s nationally syndicated Morning in America Show.  Additionally, Mr. Steele is an entertaining and eloquent guest on cable political talk shows such as HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher and Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report.

A corporate finance attorney, Mr. Steele founded his own company, The Steele Group, a business and legal consulting firm.  His writings on law, business and politics have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times, Politico.com, Townhall.com, and The Journal of International Security Affairs, among others.

Born in 1958 at Andrews Air Force Base in Prince George’s County, Maryland, Mr. Steele was raised in Washington, DC. He spent three years as a seminarian in the Order of St. Augustine in preparation for the priesthood, but, ultimately, chose a career in law instead. He earned his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1991.

Mr. Steele serves on the Administrative Board of the Maryland Catholic Conference and is a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Landover Hills, MD, where he attends mass regularly with his wife Andrea and their two sons.

Mr. Santorum served as United States Senator from Pennsylvania from 1995 to 2007 and as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1991 to 1995.

He founded the Congressional Working Group on Religious Freedom and spearheaded the passage of several key pieces of legislation. From 2001 to 2007, he served as Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, where he directed the communications operations of Senate Republicans and was the third-ranking member of the Republican leadership.

Rick Santorum is currently a Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, established and directs EPPC’s Program to Protect America’s Freedom. He is writing a book on the “gathering storm” of the 21st century — the challenges posed by radical Islamic fascism and its growing alliances around the world. In 2005, he authored “It Takes a Family: Conservatism and the Common Good.”

Mike Pence was born in Columbus, Indiana, graduated from Hanover College in 1981 and earned his J.D. from Indiana University School of Law in 1986.

Following graduation from law school, Pence ran for Congress in 1988 and 1990. In 1991, he was named president of a conservative state think tank based in Fort Wayne, Indiana known as the Indiana Policy Review Foundation.

Pence began his career in radio broadcasting in 1992 and two years later, Network Indiana syndicated his show throughout the state of Indiana. “The Mike Pence Show” aired Monday through Friday on 18 stations. He also hosted a Sunday morning political television show in Indianapolis from 1995-1999.

Pence was first elected to Congress in 2000 and was most recently elected to a fifth term in November of 2008. He also was elected unanimously by House Republicans to serve as House Republican Conference Chairman in November 2008. In his role as Conference Chairman, he helps to develop and disseminate the message of the Republican Conference and to promote its Members.

Congressman Pence describes himself as “a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order.”

Congressman Pence and his wife Karen have three children and reside in Columbus, Indiana. The Pence family lives in Arlington, Virginia, while Congress is in session.

Conservative Leader

During the 109th Congress, Congressman Pence served as Chairman of the House Republican Study Committee. The Republican Study Committee is the largest caucus in the House of Representatives; membership grew to 110 House Republicans under his leadership, and has been the leading voice for advancing conservative social and economic issues in Congress since the mid-1980s.

Congressman Pence has emerged as a national spokesman for conservative principles. In March of 2005, The Washington Post described Pence as “A New Face on Conservatism” observing, “he delivered conservative opinions with the even tones and polite demeanor of his Midwest upbringing.” In November 2005, Business Week described Pence as a “new power broker” and syndicated columnist George Will singled out Pence and Governor Mitch Daniels’ brand of conservatism as the “wave of the future.” Peggy Noonan has complimented Pence on his ability to maintain an upbeat attitude even in a partisan environment, quoting him as saying “I’m a conservative, but I’m not in a bad mood about it.” An April 2006 profile in U.S. News and World Report said Pence “has emerged as a powerful force, moving Congress further to the right.”

Pence’s role as a conservative leader has been profiled in The Chicago Tribune, Business Week, the Weekly Standard, U.S. News and World Report and The New York Times. He appears regularly on Fox News, CNN and MSNBC. Pence also appears weekly on Indiana’s most prominent talk radio stations.

Click here for full bio.

Gary Johnson is a Republican and serves as the Honorary Chairman of the Our America Initiative. He has been an outspoken advocate for efficient government, lower taxes, winning the war on drug abuse, protection of civil liberties, revitalization of the economy and promoting entrepreneurship and privatization.

He was born January 1, 1953 and attended the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque from 1971 to 1975, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree. While in college, Gary Johnson earned money as a door-to-door handyman. His successes in this area led to his own construction business, Big J Enterprises, which was founded in 1976. Johnson grew the company into a multi-million dollar corporation that employed over 1000 people in 1994. When he sold Big J in 1999, no employee lost his job and the company remains very successful to this day.

In 1994, Johnson was elected Governor of New Mexico despite having little political experience at the . He defeated the incumbent Democratic Governor Bruce King in the general election by 50% to 40% as well as a former Republican Governor in the Republican primary election. In 1998, Johnson was re-elected as governor, defeating Democratic Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez by a 55% to 45% margin.

Results. As Governor of New Mexico, Johnson was known for his common-sense business approach to governing. He eliminated New Mexico’s budget deficit, cut the rate of growth in state government in half and privatized half of the state prisons.

Johnson also shifted state Medicaid to managed care (which led to better healthcare by creating a statewide healthcare network that previously did not exist and which saved money) and reduced state employees by over 1000, with no firings. During his term, New Mexico experienced the longest period without a tax increase in the state’s history.

While in office, Governor Johnson vetoed 750 bills (which was more than all the vetoes of the other 49 Governors in the country at the time.)

By New Mexico State Constitution, Gary Johnson could not run for a third consecutive term as governor. He currently lives in New Mexico and has remained very active, competing in numerous athletic competitions. He is an avid skier, adventurer, and bicyclist who abstains from alcohol. In 2003, he climbed Mount Everest. Johnson was raised Lutheran and throughout his life has ordered his life according to spiritual principles. Gary Johnson has two grown children.

Tim Pawlenty is regarded as one of the nation’s most innovative, energetic, reform-minded and accomplished governors.  Now serving his second term as the 39th governor of Minnesota, Governor Pawlenty has brought increased accountability to state government, held the line on taxes, improved K-12 education standards and made Minnesota a leader in energy reform.

As Governor, he has balanced Minnesota’s budget three times without raising taxes, despite facing record budget deficits.  Governor Pawlenty’s most notable accomplishments include proposing and signing into law significant new benefits for veterans and members of the military; enacting a property tax cap, eliminating the marriage penalty and cutting taxes; toughening the state’s education standards; reforming the way teachers are paid through a nation-leading performance pay plan; instituting free-market health care reforms that increase accountability and provide tax credits to encourage the use of health savings accounts; and implementing a plan to Americanize our energy sources by generating 25% of the state’s electricity from renewable sources by 2025.

Under Governor Pawlenty’s leadership, Minnesota leads the nation in a variety of measures.  Minnesota ranks first among states in Fortune 500 companies per capita, first in overall quality of life, first in homeownership, first in percentage of residents with a high school diploma, and first in residents over 25 with a bachelors degree.  Minnesota has the highest average ACT scores in the nation and is among the “Healthiest States in America.”

A fifth-generation Texan, Governor Rick Perry has taken an extraordinary Texas journey, from a tenant farm in the rolling West Texas plains to the governor’s office of our nation’s second largest state.

Texas’ 47th governor, and the first Texas A&M graduate to occupy the Governor’s Mansion, Rick Perry has led a life of public service, starting in the United States Air Force and continuing over two decades in elected office.

Governor Perry’s administration has focused on creating a Texas of unlimited opportunity and prosperity by improving education, securing the border and increasing economic development through classical conservative values. Under Governor Perry’s leadership, lawmakers recently passed a $153 billion budget, financing:

• a $3 billion cancer research fund
• a health opportunity pool that will help more Texans buy private health insurance
• more college financial aid
• a new incentive program for colleges and junior colleges
• $100 million to border security

Additionally, Governor Perry signed a school finance reform package that provides a 33 percent school property tax reduction, $2,000 pay raise for teachers, record funding for classrooms and a reformed business tax.