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Texas Republican Chairman Says Tea Party Doesn’t Dominate State GOP

Republican Party of Texas

As 11,000 Texas Republicans gather in Fort Worth for their state party convention, KERA’s Shelley Kofler sat down with Texas Republican Party Chairman Steve Munisteri for a wide-ranging conversation.

Munisteri rejected claims that the tea party movement has taken over the state party.

He says fears are unfounded that newly elected GOP nominees would limit funding for important infrastructure projects as some business groups have warned.

He said immigration will again be the central issue of contention at the three-day convention but he expects the party platform to again include a guest worker program that would provide a vehicle for some undocumented workers to remain here legally. 

Here’s an excerpt from the discussion:

Munisteri also talked about Republican efforts to attract Hispanic voters, and claimed Republicans are making headway while Democrats are losing ground in the Hispanic community.

Here’s that part of the conversation: 

munisteri_talking_about_Hispanic_vote_6-3-14__.mp3
Texas GOP Party Chair Steve Munisteri talks about Republican efforts to attract Hispanic voters.

Former KERA staffer Shelley Kofler was news director, managing editor and senior reporter. She is an award-winning reporter and television producer who previously served as the Austin bureau chief and legislative reporter for North Texas ABC affiliate WFAA-TV.