Sessions Releases Letter for NRCC Chairman Re-Election
Washington, DC – National
Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX) today
sent the following letter to his House Republican colleagues:
November 10, 2010
Dear Republican Colleague:
First, allow me to thank you for your support of the National
Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC). While I have had the
honor and privilege of serving as Chairman for the last two years,
without your involvement our return to the majority would have been
impossible.
In fact, in January of 2009, many around Washington and in the national media spread the idea that regaining the majority was impossible – that our Republican vision of limited government, personal freedom and fiscal responsibility was obsolete.
Thankfully, I was not the only person who disagreed with the
conventional wisdom and believed these reports of Republican demise to
be greatly premature. Our newest House Republicans did their part
by stepping up to take on entrenched Democrat incumbents or retain
competitive open seats. Our returning Members also joined the
fight by playing offense while providing critical support and
mentorship to these candidates both in their districts and in
Washington.
Working together, we proved that Republicans have good ideas and the courage to stand up for them – that we are listening to the American people and that together, we could come all the way back.
As a part of the new majority team, I am writing today to ask for your support to remain Chairman of
the NRCC for the 112th Congress. It would be my honor to
continue to serve our Conference
through the upcoming challenges of re-electing over 80 Freshman
Republican Members, navigating congressional re-districting, and
maximizing our future opportunities in a presidential election cycle.
I would like to share with you a brief outline for how with your continued support the NRCC will maximize its performance in the “Four Rs” – Retention, Redistricting, Recruitment and Resources – to move forward and build on our success:
Retention:
Our incoming Republican freshman class is the largest since 1938. Simply as a function of its size, this class will have specific needs that the NRCC must meet so that they can hit the ground running and are prepared to explain their goals and achievements to voters and to play offense in advance of next election.
The NRCC will work with each incoming Member to develop an
individualized strategic and tactical plan for coalition-building and
outreach in advance of a new electoral playing field in the
redistricting and presidential election year of 2012. We will
also build upon the successful mentorship program that benefitted our
freshmen as candidates, and continue their development as legislators
and new members of the House Republican team.
Redistricting:
Leading into the 2012 elections, Republicans will control the
process for drawing the lines of 193 congressional seats.
Democrats will draw 44 seats, and control of the process will be split
for 76 seats. A non-partisan commission controls the process for 88
seats, 7 are at-large seats that will not need to be redistricted, and
the remaining seats depend on currently undecided elections.
Over the last two years, the NRCC has built a program for understanding each state’s redistricting process and working with state legislators to prepare for them. We will continue to build on these relationships to maximize our advantage.
Recruitment:
This past cycle, the NRCC recruited 430 Republican Congressional candidates – including top-tier candidates in the 100 most-promising seats in the nation. This strategy paid off, with over 80 new Republicans winning election to join our team.
Even after this tremendous success, many opportunities remain where
solid recruitment will make a difference. The GOP has lost
control of 24 suburban districts since 2006 – and while we won back 16
of those 24 on Election night (with 1 still in recount), the remaining
seats represent great opportunities for us going forward.
Depending on final election tallies, up to 12 Democrats were also
re-elected in seats that John McCain won in 2008 – and that we can win
back in 2012. Finally, Republicans won 13 of the 14 competitive
Democrat-held open seats – meaning that we can continue to create
opportunities for solid recruits next cycle by putting enough pressure
on senior Democrats to convince them to retire.
We can continue to grow our majority in 2012 by making sure that we continue the successful recruitment plan that we implemented this cycle.
Resources:
Member participation at the NRCC was substantially higher over the last two years than it was in any previous cycle. Collectively, Members not only met their cycle assessment of $65 million – they exceeded it by an additional $5 million. 106 Members of our Conference met their full cycle assessments, with 12 Members raising $1 million or more for the effort.
With over 80 new Members joining the Conference, we should be
prepared to do even better. Since 2008, we have tripled the
number of individuals donating $25,000 or more – even though we had
fewer incumbents raising these funds. Our newest Members will
help to build upon our current major donor and regional fundraising
strategy successes.
Our increased membership and fundraising advantages also mean that we will be able to continue playing offense. Last year, the NRCC successfully expanded the playing field by getting involved early in races, where we won 52 of the 66 districts in which our Independent Expenditure (IE) invested. We will be in an even better position in 2012 to stretch the Democrats’ comparatively smaller resources if we prepare now.
Over the last two years, I have insisted upon bringing dozens of
Members within the organizational structure of the NRCC – giving every
interested Member real responsibilities, the opportunity to provide
valuable feedback and a personal stake in our shared success, not just
a title.
Going forward, I will continue to rely upon the help and support of our entire membership to keep NRCC efforts such as “Young Guns,” the “Patriot Program,” and “Sell the Fight” as successful as they were in this historic cycle.
I appreciate your consideration of these ideas and I humbly request your support in my candidacy for Chairman of the NRCC. I look forward to continuing to serve as part of a leadership team that builds and grows a lasting and productive majority for our party and for the nation. I welcome your feedback, and I look forward to addressing any thoughts or ideas you might have about these or other NRCC functions.
Regards,
Pete Sessions
For Immediate
Release:
November 8,
2010
Sessions, Boehner
Announce Republican Leadership Plans
Washington- National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX) and House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today released the following statements:
Chairman Sessions:
“The last two years, I have had the great honor of
leading the effort to reclaim a Republican Majority in the House of
Representatives. Now I have fulfilled my initial mission statement: to
retire Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
“Despite record victories as NRCC Chairman, my vision and work is not done. I strongly believe in selling the fight, and I will be asking my colleagues to support me as NRCC Chairman next Congress to strengthen our gains and advance an agenda for American prosperity.
“I look forward to leading our new Majority through the challenges of re-electing over 80 freshman Republican Members, navigating congressional re-districting, and maximizing a presidential election cycle. Additionally, I look forward to leading our new Majority through an expanded policy leadership role that will enable me to shape and promote the Republican agenda among Members and across America.
“I thank Leader Boehner for his leadership and support, and I look forward to working with him and our entire new Republican Majority to empower the American people to succeed.”
Leader Boehner:
“Our Republican Conference needs Pete Sessions’ steady hand of leadership next Congress, and I am very pleased that he has decided to seek another term as NRCC Chairman. Additionally, I’ve asked Pete to take the lead for New Member Development. Pete’s position on the Rules Committee gives him a unique vantage point to help our new Members navigate policy issues and his many friendships across the Capitol will help in introducing our new colleagues to the Senate.
“Pete Sessions and I have been in the trenches
together for many years, and I knew two years ago that our party
required his vision, skill and leadership to end the Democrats'
monopoly on power in Washington and elect a new Majority that would
listen to the people. I am very grateful for Pete’s tireless work as he
has helped to guide House Republicans from the political wilderness to
an historic victory for the American people.
“Pete earned unprecedented support from the Republican Conference by transforming the NRCC into a member-driven organization. He raised the money, oversaw recruitment of the candidates, and focused a strong message for our Members and candidates to play offense.
“As the architect for the new Republican Majority, Pete Sessions has my admiration and gratitude, and I look forward to his strong leadership in the years ahead.”
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