Texas Leadership Team
July 17, 2020 – As Joe Biden gains traction in Texas and President Trump’s support plummets, unemployment rises, civil unrest grows, and COVID-19 deaths increase, The Lincoln Project is announcing its Texas leadership team. This group is comprised of prominent current and former Republicans from around the state. This leadership team will help to promote, grow and expand the Lincoln Project’s national mission in Texas.
The announcement comes as polls released earlier in the week show Joe Biden within striking distance of Donald Trump in the Republican-dominated state. Meanwhile, the Texas GOP scrambles to hold its annual conference virtually after the original plans to hold the conference in Houston had to be scrapped as positive cases of COVID-19 continue to rise at alarming rates in Texas.
“The launch of a leadership team in Texas symbolizes the breadth and depth of the Lincoln Project movement,” said Mike Madrid, a founder of the Lincoln Project. “When history looks back at the restoration of integrity, character, and values to the Republican Party it will be remembered that these Texans led the way.”
MEMBERS AND BIOS
Lionel Sosa: Sosa was a senior media consultant for Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush and was named “One of the 25 most influential Hispanics in America” by Time Magazine. Sosa has served on the Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System, the Board of Trustees for the University of the Incarnate Word, the Boards of Sesame Workshop, creators of Sesame Street, ACT (American College Testing) and the Public Broadcasting System. In 2001, Lionel was a Fellow at the Institute of Politics at Harvard University and was awarded an honorary PHD in Humanities by the University of the Incarnate Word.
Abel Guerra: Abel Guerra worked on President George W. Bush’s Texas gubernatorial campaigns as well as his presidential campaign. Abel served as Associate Director In the Office of Public Liaison in the White House from 2001-2004.
James R. Foster: For over 35 years, Jim Foster has built an impressive track record of creative work on behalf of Republican candidates ranging from local county judges to the President of the United States. Foster & Associates’ campaign credits include historic victories for Jeb Bush for Governor, Bush-Cheney in 2000 and 2004 as well as hundreds of U.S. Senate and congressional candidates.
Charles Foster: Chairman, Foster, LLP, B.A. and J.D. University of Texas, immigration policy advisor to President George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004 campaign; past Chairman, Asia Society Texas Center; co-chairman, George H.W. Bush Monument. Vice Chairman, George H.W. Bush Foundation for U.S. China Relations.
Jenny Willis Beech: A native Houstonian, Jenny began her career working for Governor of Texas, George W. Bush. She held several staff positions on the 2000 Bush & Cheney campaign in communications, fundraising and advance. After the election and inauguration, Jenny worked in the Office of Management and Budget in the White House, the Department of Commerce Chief of Staff’s office, and became a Business Liason. Jenny is an active Houston Independent School District (HISD) Parent Liaison, University Place Association Board Member, PTO Board Member and Neighborhood President.
Jennifer Harris: Jennifer Waisath Harris, a former communications director and staffer for GOP candidates, elected and appointed officials.
John Horton: John Horton, former GOP congressional campaign manager, speechwriter and political staffer for elected officials and GOP organizations.
Rudy Oeftering: Rudy was a delegate at the 2014 and 2016 Republican Party of Texas Convention. He was a candidate for delegate to the Republican National Convention in 2016 as well as the Victory Chair for the Dallas County Republican Party. He is a current Precinct Chair in Dallas County.
Jacob Monty: Jacob Monty is a Republican Latino activist who resigned from the Trump Hispanic Committee, after then candidate Trump’s disastrous August 31st, 2016 immigration speech. Jake has held presidential and gubernatorial appointments to the University of Houston Board of Regents, the Texas Private Security Board, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the National Hispanic Advisory Council for Trump, the Border Environment Cooperation Commission, and the North American Development Bank. He serves as Outside Counsel for the Mexican Consulate in Houston, chairs the Center for Latino Jewish Relations, and is a member of AJC’s national Latino Jewish Leadership Council.
Parker Payne: West Texas Republican and campaign veteran. Appointed by President George W. Bush to senior positions at the U.S. Energy Department and the Treasury Department.
Genevieve Woodard Hartley: A native Houstonian, Genevieve began her political career with the Bush 2000 campaign, where she worked in the press room/War Room. She moved to Washington, D.C. two weeks before 9⁄11 to work for the Bush Administration’s Department of Treasury, at the Chief of Staff’s office – and later for Secretary Paul O’Neill in the scheduling and advance office. Genevieve then joined DHS’s press office upon its creation. Since her return to Houston, Genevieve has worked as a logistics project coordinator for various government entities, including DoE and DoD in a contract role. She is active in her local church, serves as a volunteer for her child’s school board and is a part of the Clear Lake community.
“Four years after Donald Trump won the presidency on a promise to ‘Make America Great Again,’ millions of people are out of work, the economy has tanked, corruption in the executive branch is rampant, and people are afraid,” stated leadership team member Jenny Willis Beech. “This isn’t anyone’s idea of America at its greatest. It’s time to put an end to this president’s failed leadership and I am proud to assist in this effort any way I can.”
“Trump has been emboldened to normalize bigotry and use it as a strategy for his benefit,” said leadership team member Abel Guerra “He has turned racist rhetoric into a racial conflict that is dividing our nation and it is our duty to stop him.”