Guadalupe GOP censures Kuempel after lengthy meeting

State Rep. John Kuempel, R-Seguin, who represents Gonzales County in the Texas Legislature, was formally censured by his home county’s Republican party following a lengthy deliberation Monday, Aug. 28, a former State Republican Executive Committee (SREC) member told the Inquirer.

Terry Harper, a memher of the Guadalupe County Republican Party’s Legislative Priorities Committee, said Kuempel was censured under GOP Censure Rule 44 after three and a half hours of deliberation Monday night.

“Republican Party Censure Rule 44 was followed to the letter,” Harper said. “Kuempel was censured on multiple violations of party principles and legislative priorities. Mr Kuempel failed to appear in his defense as requested.”

Harper said the county party had notified Kuempel by certified mail return receipt requested and had been “offered the opportunity to respond in person to address the grievances. At this time, no response has been received or expected.”

Kuempel defended his record in a statement to the Inquirer Wednesday, Aug. 30.

“The last two legislative sessions have seen the biggest victories for conservative values in Texas history. I’m very proud of my record ushering through the passage of ‘Constitutional Carry,’ the pro-life Heartbeat Bill, and the Trigger Ban that effectively outlawed abortion after the overturning of Roe v. Wade,” Kuempel said. “Most recently, we passed the largest border security investment in state history - $5.1 Billion to finish the wall and shut the border down to criminals. And we just cut property taxes by $18 billion – which is now on record as the largest state tax cut in American history.  With this cut, the average priced Texas home will see a tax cut of $1,250.

“These conservative priorities are what my Republican neighbors and I have been fighting for together. I’m proud to seek re-election so we can get even more results and double-down on Texas’s record as the beacon of conservative values in America.”

Harper said 80 percent of the county’s precinct chairs were present for the executive session meeting although the rules only require that a majority (one more than 50 percent) must attend. The censure was passed overwhelmingly, Harper said, as more than 80 percent voted in favor of the motion — despite rules only requiring no less than two-thirds (67 percent) to support the motion.

“The censure will move forward to the State Republican Party. It will be reviewed by the Resolutions Committee for accuracy,” Harper said. “If it passes the scrutiny of the committee, it will go to the 62-member body for possible amendment and concurrence. Should it pass there, penalties can be imposed asking Kuempel to not take part in the primary, along with a portion of party funding being used to inform constituents as to the reason for censure.”

In addition, Harper said a “group of concerned conservatives” have chosen “a highly qualified primary opponent” to face off against Kuempel if he should run in this race. Harper said an official candidacy statement will be made at a later date after required election rule filings are met.