By Alec Woolsey - Herald-Zeitung
Comal County Republicans served as host to a state celebrity earlier this week, but her visit was more than a simple hello.
The New Braunfels Republican Women’s organization welcomed guest speaker Cecilia Abbott, the first lady of Texas and wife of Gov. Greg Abbott, during its annual potluck supper on Monday, June 19, at Seekatz Opera House. Abbott spoke on matters relating to women, Republicans and Texans in a brief speech during the dinner.
“Along the way, I have met so many Texans like you who are making the future even brighter, and I believe that we are each called to service,” Abbott said to the audience. “And by being here today, you have enthusiastically answered that call.”
The first lady recognized philanthropic efforts from the organization’s attendees, going so far as to say those efforts spoke to a deeper pursuit of hers.
“As first lady, my top priority is promoting service to others, and I am working with all of Texas to bring together the two things I am most passionate about: Texas and philanthropy,” she said. “I like to call it ‘Texanthropy.’”
The New Braunfels Republican Women’s website describes its members as “proud of (their) contributions to the growth and success of the Republican party and strong conservative values in Texas.”
Susan Walker, president of the organization, said in an email she was pleased with how the event turned out.
“From my perspective, this meeting was perfect,” Walker said. “We had a marvelous attendance from not only NBRW members, but we were joined by Alamo City Republican Women, Bulverde Area Republican Women, Canyon Lake Republican Women, Hays County Republican Women, Comal County Republican Party, Republican Club of Comal County and the Texas Federation of Republican Women.”
Walker said several notable public officials from the area were in attendance, including state Sen. Donna Campbell, state Rep. Kyle Biedermann, SBOE Ken Mercer, Third Court of Appeals Justice Cindy Bourland, District Judges Bruce Boyer and Dib Waldrip, Comal County District Attorney Jennifer Tharp and Comal County Tax Collector Cathy Talcott.
Walker said the organization aims to bring speakers to its monthly events who can offer insight and education to its members. Inviting Abbott was something the group had been working on in 2017.
“Early this year, we wrote to Mrs. Abbott and requested she speak at an NBRW meeting that best met her schedule,” she said. “We did mention our June meeting (the potluck) is fun and well-attended and were extremely pleased June 19 was available on her busy schedule.”
Abbott took the opportunity to highlight the accomplishments of women in the workforce, saying that Texas is a leader in the nation for female-led businesses.
“Texas is the best state for business, and women have been great leaders of that success,” she said. “We have the second-highest number of women-owned businesses in America, but we want to be the number one state in the nation for women-owned businesses.”
Abbott also spoke about her husband’s accomplishments and efforts in Austin, as well as ramping up campaign efforts ahead of the approaching 2018 election.
“It’s never too early to gear up for the huge effort to keep Texas red,” Abbott said.