Welcome to the Republican Club of Van Zandt County
BREAKING NEWS: Tickets Sales for the “Let Freedom Ring” Republican Club of Van Zandt County 2026 Fundraising Gala are now open! Scan QR code below for more information about both ticket and sponsorship opportunities:
HAPPY NEW YEAR! JANUARY 2026 NEWS AND EVENTS
Fellow Republicans,
Our annual banquet is fast approaching, and you need to be a part of our celebration. This year’s Gala is titled “Let Freedom Ring”.
We are very fortunate to have as our keynote speaker for the evening Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. The significance of a county the size of Van Zandt having one of the three major Texas elected officials pay us a visit in of all places Ben Wheeler should mean something to all of us. Our Club has been doing so many good things that we have caught the attention of those in Austin.
This should be a must attend event for every member of our various county Republican organizations. Most all of our Sponsorship tables have been sold (still a few left), but for as little as $75, you can reserve a seat and join in an evening of fellowship, food, and fun.
All details and the link to reserve your seat are in the information below.
Hope to see all of you the evening of February 6th.
Your Republican Club president “Doc”Collins
| Our Republican Club of Van Zandt County has the unique privilege of hosting as Keynote Speaker for our “Let Freedom Ring” Gala the Lt. Governor of the State of Texas, Dan Patrick. It will be held on Friday evening February 6th, at Victory Life Church, 16040 St. Hwy. 64, Ben Wheeler, Texas 75754. Our club has worked very hard in keeping Van Zandt County one of the most conservative counties in the State of Texas. To acknowledge our staunch stand for true Texas Values Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will be the center point of the evening’s activities. Fellowship will begin at 6:00 PM with a VIP meet and greet with the Lt. Governor as well as other elected officials such as our State Representative Brent Money, State Senator Bob Hall, and others. An appetizing plated meal will be served provided by 6 Forks Farm Catering. Evening activities will include acknowledgment of all the many accomplishments of our Republican Club throughout this past year. Special emphasis will be made on the candidate debates just conducted in Canton on January 17th which saw 42 candidates vying for office. Many statewide candidates traveled from across our state to Canton to participate in what has been acknowledged as one of the best programs of its kind in Texas. All those who have helped sponsor the Gala will be recognized during dinner. We will also conduct a Silent as well as a Live Auction with many great items of interest. A special presentation of a Legacy Award will be given to the family of deceased Van Zandt Commission Virgil Melton. Commissioner Melton’s impact on Van Zandt County, our state and nation will be acknowledged as we all celebrate his life and contributions. Lt. Gov. Patrick will take to the podium and give us a State of the State message of Texas. Having just returned from the World Economic Forum (WEF) held in Davos, Switzerland where he will have spoken on conservative pro-growth ideas and religious liberty, Lt. Governor Patrick will cover some international issues as well. All this bodes well for a great evening of fellowship, food and fun. Tickets are going fast so use this link to reserve your seat at the table. Dr. Dwayne “Doc” Collins, President Republican Club of Van Zandt County Here is a link to your reservation: https://secure.anedot.com/van-zandt-county-republican-club/efe557a5-15e7-4bc6-b580-1ce9a954b7b0?fbclid=IwY2xjawPfLG5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEwTzdkcFhXZ2RhMFJOTkRGc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjqL57-0pww46s06jk-n9EWwrv4_zKc3NtLOSX2u9vQIy5ugtZBCFnEApYEf_aem_CXchXD5YNU0lGZGZNRde_Q |
CLICK ON FEATURED LINK ABOVE FOR MORE DETAILS: DEBATE/FORUM – JANUARY 2026
DECEMBER NEWS AND EVENTS
Hope you all are enjoying this Christmas season! Just a reminder, there will be NO DECEMBER meeting. Many were able to attend the special movie event on December 8th featuring the movie, “The Dragon Prophecy”, a documentary film by award winning film maker Dinesh D’Souza of the attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Special thanks to Victory Life Church of East Texas for hosting this opportunity.
At our well attended November 24th meeting, our featured guest speaker, Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian, spoke on the onslaught of the “Green Energy” scam that continues to make a significant impact in Texas as well as throughout the entire USA.
Van Zandt County at present has over 44,000 acres leased to Lithium mining, proposals for 7 Solar Farms, 9 Lithium battery storage facilities, and 1 Wind Farm. Guest speakers, Senator Bob Hall, Nancy White and VZC District Attorney, Tonda Curry addressed these local issues with the club members and guests.
After the movie, State Representative Brent Money gave us an update on Epic City 2 (now called The Meadows) in Josephine, TX, Hunt County, shared his opposition to it, the reason for his opposition, and a warning to us about the imminent danger of the Islamization of Texas and the threat to Van Zandt County.
For our January 2026 meeting, the club will be sponsoring a Candidate Debate Forum to be held at the Canton Civic Center on January 17, 2026. We will not meet on the 4th Monday of January, but will host this debate instead. More details to come. Have a very blessed and Merry Christmas!
NOVEMBER NEWS AND EVENTS
https://texasscorecard.com/state/roundup-novembers-constitutional-amendments-recommendations/
Republican Club
Van Zandt County November Meeting
When: Monday, November 24th 7:00 PM
Where: Farm Bureau Conference Center
Our Keynote Speaker Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian will address the November meeting of the Republican Club of Van Zandt County. It will be a timely presentation since the duties of the Commission are to regulate the oil and gas industry, including exploration, production, and pipeline safety. However, with the onslaught of the “Green Energy” scam, that will be the main topic of discussion.
Our county at present has over 44,000 acres leased to Lithium mining, proposals for 7 Solar Farms, 9 Lithium battery storage facilities, and 1 Wind Farm. To address these local issues will be club members Senator Bob Hall and Nancy White VZ- United WE Stand!. You will learn of the great work these two Van Zandt County citizens have done in blocking much of this activity.
This meeting is of importance to every landowner in our county and all citizens are invited to attend.
Prior to the speakers a brief announcement will be made of our Club’s December special meeting and January’ s candidate debate. All candidates that have filed to run in our March 3rd Republican Primary have been invited to set up a table for the purpose of meeting voters both prior to and after the meeting.
Candidates, please let Doc Collins, our club President at president@vzcrc.org or Suzanne Duke, club Vice President at vicepresident@vzcrc.org to request a table at least a few days before the November 24th meeting. Also, Lance Lenz our Van Zandt County Republican Chair will be available prior to our meeting at 6:30 PM for those who would like to register as a candidate for the Republican Primary.
OCTOBER NEWS AND EVENTS
State of Texas candidate filing began on November 8th and ends on December 8th. At our October club meeting, we had seven candidates publicly “announce” their candidacy for various positions: Travis Edwards for Congressional District 5; Rachel Hogue for Texas State Board of Education, Place 9; Tom Duke for Republican Party County Chair, Van Zandt County; Lance Lenz, current VZC chair, for Republican Party County Chair, Van Zandt County; Tonda Curry for VZC District Attorney; Jennifer Taylor for Justice of the Peace, VZC Precinct 3; and Senator Bob Hall for Texas State Senator SD2 (pictured L-R). If you are a candidate that will be attending our November meeting “in person” and would like to have a candidate information table set up at our next club meeting on November 24th, be sure to contact either our club President, Doc Collins, at president@vzcrc.org or our club Vice President, Suzanne Duke, at vicepresident@vzcrc.org to make those arrangements. Table requests must be received no later than Saturday, November 22nd.
MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT:
Republican Club of Van Zandt County Meeting
Monday, October 27th 7:00 PM; doors open at 6:30
Location: Farm Bureau Conference Center
220 Burnett Trail
Canton, TX 75103
Yes, it is that time again for elections. Our October club meeting will include an extensive overview of the 17 Constitutional Amendment Propositions on the November 4th ballot. Of course, early voting is from October 20th to October 31st, AND if you are not sure how to vote, you may want to wait until you attend our meeting before you cast your ballot.
We will be discussing each proposition in depth and open the floor for discussion. We have included below a copy of the 17 propositions with a brief explanation of each, but a more thorough examination and discussion will take place at our meeting.
This meeting will also be dedicated to bringing everyone up to date on the latest candidates running in the midterm primary election scheduled for March 3, 2026. Some of those candidates may be in attendance and will be allowed to introduce themselves.
You will also be informed of the candidates who have committed to our Van Zandt County Republican Primary debates on January 17th. We have quite a lineup already and are expecting more to take part in what should once again be the largest debate of candidates in the East Texas area.
We are also going to take time to discuss how to continue to grow our club’s base and would very much appreciate our members’ opinions. Even though it appears the winds of change have shifted in our direction, it is not the time to take things for granted.
I leave you with a quote from Fredrick Douglas, “In every society, activism has driven progress on social, cultural, political, and economic issues.”
WE HOPE TO TO SEE YOU THERE. AS ALWAYS, THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY IS INVITED!
Best,
Dwayne “Doc” Collins, President
Republican Club of Van Zandt County
For additional information about this meeting or if you have any questions regarding our club, please contact Doc Collins, President, at president@vzcrc.org or Suzanne Duke, Vice President, vicepresident@vzcrc.org
17 Amendments to be voted on 11/4/25:
Ballot Language for November 4, 2025, Constitutional Amendment Election
Proposition 1 – SJR 59 “The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the permanent technical institution infrastructure fund and the available workforce education fund to support the capital needs of educational programs offered by the Texas State Technical College System.”
Proposition 2 – SJR 18 “The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of a tax on the realized or unrealized capital gains of an individual, family, estate, or trust.”
Proposition 3 – SJR 5 “The constitutional amendment requiring the denial of bail under certain circumstances to persons accused of certain offenses punishable as a felony.”
Proposition 4 – HJR 7 “The constitutional amendment to dedicate a portion of the revenue derived from state sales and use taxes to the Texas water fund and to provide for the allocation and use of that revenue.”
Proposition 5 – HJR 99 “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation tangible personal property consisting of animal feed held by the owner of the property for sale at retail.”
Proposition 6 – HJR 4 “The constitutional amendment prohibiting the legislature from enacting a law imposing an occupation tax on certain entities that enter into transactions conveying securities or imposing a tax on certain securities transactions.”
Proposition 7 – HJR 133 “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a veteran who died as a result of a condition or disease that is presumed under federal law to have been service connected.”
Proposition 8 – HJR 2 “The constitutional amendment to prohibit the legislature from imposing death taxes applicable to a decedent’s property or the transfer of an estate, inheritance, legacy, succession, or gift.”
Proposition 9 – HJR 1 “The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation a portion of the market value of tangible personal property a person owns that is held or used for the production of income.”
Proposition 10 – SJR 84 “The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of the appraised value of an improvement to a residence homestead that is completely destroyed by a fire.”
Proposition 11 – SJR 85 “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district of the market value of the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled.”
Proposition 12 – SJR 27 “The constitutional amendment regarding the membership of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, the membership of the tribunal to review the commission recommendations, and the authority of the commission, the tribunal, and the Texas Supreme Court to more effectively sanction judges and justices for judicial misconduct.”
Proposition 13 – SJR 2 “The constitutional amendment to increase the amount of the exemption of residence homesteads from ad valorem taxation by a school district from $100,000 to $140,000.”
Proposition 14 – SJR 3 “The constitutional amendment providing for the establishment of the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, establishing the Dementia Prevention and Research Fund to provide money for research on and prevention and treatment of dementia, Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, and related disorders in this state, and transferring to that fund $3 billion from state general revenue.”
Proposition 15 – SJR 34 “The constitutional amendment affirming that parents are the primary decision makers for their children.”
Proposition 16 – SJR 37 “The constitutional amendment clarifying that a voter must be a United States citizen.”
Proposition 17 – HJR 34 “The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the amount of the market value of real property located in a county that borders the United Mexican States that arises from the installation or construction on the property of border security infrastructure and related improvements.”
September News and Events
Constitution Day, September 17, 2025
September 22nd Club Meeting:
Republican Club of Van Zandt County Meeting
Monday, September 22nd 7:00 PM
Farm Bureau Conference Center
220 Burnett Trail
Canton, Texas
Republican Club Members
This month’s meeting of the Republican Club will feature guest speaker Texas Senator Mayes Middleton who was the first candidate to file for Texas Attorney General. Prior to serving in the Texas Senate, Mayes served two terms in the Texas House of Representatives, representing Chambers and Galveston Counties. During his last term in the Texas House, Mayes served as Chairman of the conservative group Texas House Freedom Caucus.
As Texas Senator, Mayes represents Senate District 11, encompassing portions of Brazoria, Galveston, and Harris Counties. Throughout his time in both the House and Senate, Mayes has consistently ranked among the top conservative members of the Legislature. He currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Local Government Committee, and as a member on the Senate Committees on Administration, Business & Commerce, EducationK-16, Jurisprudence, and State Affairs.
Mayes Middleton is President of Middleton Oil Company, an independent oil and gas company. He also runs ranching, cattle and farming operations. Mayes and his wife, Macy, have four children. Mayes and Macy support numerous local community organizations and faith-based charities throughout the Galveston-Houston region.
Thomas Smith is another candidate running for statewide office who will be introducing himself during the business portion of our meeting. He is a candidate for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals- Place 3. For a decade he has served on the staff of our Attorney General Ken Paxton. Thomas is a proven conservative and worthy of our consideration.
If you have thought about getting involved with our county and Republican Party and play a role in shaping our community, come early to our meeting at 6:00 PM. Learn about becoming a Precinct or County Chair.
Our county needs you now more than ever! Please come and learn more and possibly fill out an application for a place on the ballot. There will be notaries there and all you need is your ID.
At the beginning of the meeting, we will pay tribute to a fallen hero and patriot, Charlie Kirk. That tribute will be difficult conveying the loss his family is having to endure as well as our country. God rest your soul, Charlie Kirk.
The public is always welcomed to attend our meeting so invite your friends
Grand Saline Creek Slide Deck Presentation for the Republican Club Meeting on August 25, 2025 created by:
Richard Garza, II, NETRWPG Region 10 Board Member
Republican Club August 2025 Meeting
Monday, August 25th, 7 p.m.
VZC Farm Bureau, 220 Burnett Trail, Canton, TX 75103
The meeting will be on Monday, August 25th at the VZC Farm Bureau building, 220 Burnett Trail, Canton, TX, starting at 7:00 PM. Doors open at 6:30. As always, our meetings are free and open to the entire community.
Mr. Richard Garza, Region D Water Board Member, will be the first guest speaker at our August 25th Republican Club of Van Zandt County club meeting giving us an update about the Grand Saline Reservoir Project.
As U.S. Congressman for the fifth congressional district of Texas, Lance Gooden will be the keynote speaker for our meeting.
Congressman Gooden will be giving a firsthand accounting of what has been transpiring in Washington DC. For sure he will be reporting on the “One Big Beautiful Bill”, which was a huge win for the Trump administration and the Republican Party. Also expect an update on the Russian Ukrainian war. Hopefully by meeting time there will be a peace treaty or at least a cease fire.
Other topics for discussions will be the FBI, ICE and Border Czar Tom Homan’s efforts to arrest and deport illegal aliens. Also, how the Democrats and Deep State conspired to destroy the first Trump administration and will anyone be held accountable.
September 17, 2025, is Constitution Day (also known as Citizenship Day). This day commemorates the September 17, 1787, signing of the United States Constitution. Click on link above: CONSTITUTION DAY 2025 for more information.
By Texas law all ISDs are required to engage the students in some type of program honoring Constitution Week. The Republican Club of Van Zandt County will be sponsoring two events relating to honoring this day.
During the business portion of our club meeting Vice President Suzanne Duke will announce and give details on this exciting project. It will give students in public schools, private schools and homeshoolers in Van Zandt County the opportunity to meet their obligation of Constitution Week.
NOTE: By meeting time on Monday our Republican Club members will have distributed to all ISDs in Van Zandt County 16″X20″ copies of the Ten Commandments which will be posted in every classroom. This is a result of SB 10 being passed by the 89th legislature and signed by Governor Abbott. Our club donated the funds for over 1,000 of these copies.
As happened two years ago when the nation’s moto “In God We Trust” was required in every school building, due to our efforts, Van Zandt County became the first county in the state to have all ISDs within the county posting the Ten Commandments!
Republican Club of Van Zandt County Meeting
Monday, August 25th, 7:00 PM
Farm Bureau Conference Center
220 Burnett Trail
Canton, Texas 75103
**Take note that sometimes a club meeting will be on the 3rd Monday of the month OR another day of the week instead of the usual 4th Monday.
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