Committee to decide Ratcliffe’s replacement

U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe for the 4th District was confirmed Thursday as Director of National Intelligence. According to the Texas Republican party, Ratcliffe’s confirmation has created a vacancy on the ballot for the congressional seat in November.

The Congressional District Executive Committee, which is comprised of GOP precinct and county chairs who serve in the 4th District, will select Ratcliffe’s replacement Aug. 8.

Republican Party of Texas Chairman James Dickey wrote an email to Republican County and Precinct Chairs in District 4, “Congressman Ratcliffe will vacate his Congressional seat and be ineligible to be our nominee for CD-4 in November (per the Ineligibility Clause, Art. 1, Sec. 6, Clause 2 of the US Constitution).”

The election of a replacement nominee may not occur before the beginning of the term of office for the new Committee members. When the new nominee is elected, the Certificate of Replacement Nominee must be delivered to the Secretary of State by 5 p.m., Aug. 24, 2020.

Dickey wrote, “Because the primary runoff has been delayed until mid-July due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the new County Executive Committee terms begin August 3, 2020, which means the window to conduct the CDEC meeting and elect the replacement nominee is just three weeks.”

“We face a historic moment in Congressional District 4 with the potential election by the CDEC of our Party’s nominee for the November election”

The qualifications for running for the Congressional Nomination via the CDEC process are the same as those who file to run for congressional office in the Primary. However, there are no application forms, filing fees or petitions required.

To be considered a candidate, one must be nominated by a member of the CDEC during the meeting. To become the Party’s Congressional Nominee, the candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast by the CDEC members who are present at the Aug. 8 meeting.

Many have encouraged Atlanta Mayor Travis Ransom to seek the Committee’s consideration. When asked about his potential candidacy, Ransom wrote, “Many folks are saying they are candidates for Congressional District 4 but ultimately they have to be nominated from the body of the Congressional Executive Committee on Aug. 8”, Ransom said, “As I visit with the County Chairs and Precinct Chairs, I keep hearing two things: ‘The last thing we need in Washington is another lawyer; A candidate should live in the district they represent and several so-called candidates are from outside Congressional District 4.’”

“Precinct Chairs and County Chairs are the glue that holds our fragile republic together. It’s a thankless job that is vitally important. These are the ladies and gentlemen you see working long hours at the polls or out at a festival registering voters. They are what make our two-party system function. Many candidates have ignored them and moved away from the party infrastructure as they accept money from special interest groups and lobbyists. This election is different because it puts the working folks of the party in the driver’s seat which makes big money and outside influence less effective.”

The CDEC meeting will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 8 at The Hopkins County Regional Center, 1200 Houston Street in Sulphur Springs.