Please read below for my statement regarding recent developments this week. Dear fellow Texans, I would like to address the joint statement I issued Thursday night with 6 other conservative North Texas State Representatives. That message was conveyed in an attempt to unify us all as a Republican Party on the heels of our historic night on November 4th. We must now prioritize the critical work necessary to keep Texas the best state to live, work and raise a family or else we risk starting the process of surrendering Texas to liberal democrats. Since the joint statement, there has been much misinformation circulated across the internet that I would also like to address, as it speaks directly to my character and my commitment to serving in the Texas House with the interests and well-being of my district always first and foremost on my mind. Some have attempted to paint the picture that Thursday nights message was not about party unity, instead it was about me (and others) trading our support for Speaker Straus for large campaign contributions. This is simply not true. In making this argument, it has been suggested that I have recently received two campaign contributions from a political action committee that supports Speaker Straus, a $2,500 contribution followed by a $21,000 contribution made in the last two weeks. Regretfully, some have misunderstood the reporting of these transactions. The first, the $2,500 amount, was actually a contribution that I made to the PAC in question so that it would have the resources necessary to help elect more Republicans in this election cycle. That contribution was made in the same spirit as a separate $2,500 contribution that I gave to a similar PAC, as well as direct contributions I made to the campaigns of Senator Charles Perry, Representative-Elect Rodney Anderson, and others. Unfortunately, the required reporting of my contribution to the Texas House Leadership Fund has been misinterpreted. But let me assure you, my campaign account is not $2,500 heavier thanks to the Texas House Leadership Fund. In fact, my campaign account is $2,500 lighter. Additionally, I did not receive a $21,000 contribution from the Texas House Leadership Fund on October 29th, counter to what has been reported. Instead, the fund made a direct expenditure in the total amount of $21,000 for informational literature to be mailed into 26 different legislative districts all across the state, including the district I represent. When averaged out, that represents $808 per district on informational mailers that were meant to help citizens become engaged in the upcoming legislative session. We all understand the difference between $21,000 and $808, but it is also important to understand the difference between a contribution and a direct expenditure. This mailing was not a contribution to my campaign because no money was donated to my campaign to be used later in a manner that both the election law and my campaign would see fit. Instead this mailer sent into the district I represent was paid for by an independent PAC and without any direction or coordination from my campaign. Even though my campaign was not made $808 richer (and certainly not $21,000), since the mailer in question used my name, our state law required it to be publicly disclosed with the ethics commission, but please take my word for it when I say that no money was donated to my campaign. I have received great encouragement, along with my 6 colleagues, for our message of party unity, and I will continue to work toward that goal now and throughout the upcoming 84th Legislative Session. But what I will never do is sell my vote on any matter before the peoples house, and I regret that misinterpretations on how these two events were disclosed have led some to suggest otherwise. At the end of the day we are all well intended people advocating for what we believe is right for Texas, and I appreciate your attention to this important message and the opportunity to set this record straight. Thank you for the opportunity to serve Texas. It has been the highest honor and privilege of my professional life. May God continue to bless Texas, Tan Parker
Posted on: Sat, 15 Nov 2014 19:07:27 +0000