Precinct 106 election

Robin McCoy, who is the current Republican Precinct 106 chair has a challenger from Bert Dowlen. We asked them both a set of questions as early voting begins today. Voting will take place at Grayson College’s South Campus in Van Alstyne at 1455 W. Van Alstyne Parkway, Room SB113.

What is the role of the precinct chair and how are you qualified to hold this position?

Robin McCoy: “Attend monthly executive board meetings to bring local concerns to discuss and vote.

Preside over precinct conference and discuss recommendations from members of your precinct for platform changes or additions. Present those ideas to the general body of the county convention. Serve on committees at the conventions.

Support your precinct. Have a Republican presence in parades and festivals or activities in your precinct.

Volunteer at county level to assistother precinctswith their activities. When we all do our part and helpothers whenneeded, our party remains strong in our county.

Support election of Republican candidates and help get out the vote.” Bert Dowlen: “The Precinct Chair is the grass root contact for voters for each precinct. We are tasked to get people involved by learning the voting process. We identify and register voters. As Precinct Chairs we inform and get people out to vote. As Code Enforcement Officer for 11 of 19 years and many of the people of Howe know me well. I can speak and have empathy with average voters and carry those concerns to our elected representatives. I am a board member of Grayson County Conservatives and been through campaigns, meet and greats and standing on street corners to deliver a conservative message to voters all over the county.”

How much time are you able to dedicatetoanon-paying,yetextremely important position such as this?

Bert Dowlen: “I retired in August 2021 and will have most of my days to do the things voters need and expect from their Precinct Chairs. Free time given, I was a member and Fire chief for the Howe Volunteer Fire Department. I gave many hours to make the department successful. It pays nothing but the satisfaction that the job you do save lives.” Robin McCoy: “I am now retired so I have even more time to fulfill these responsibilities and other volunteer opportunities that I have been supporting while employed. My time has been and will continue to be multiplied by the support by my friends. By years of helping each other, our efforts are multiplied. For example, I am honored to say that for this campaign, friends bought ads in the Howe Enterprise, another bought stickers, another bought the handouts, and several volunteers helped out at the Founders Day festival. My time is multipliedbyyears of sharing the Republican responsibilities in Grayson County and building rapport with other volunteers. But as everyone knows we never have enough volunteers so please feel free to call and volunteer.”

As a stated Republican, do you consider yourself an "America First" Republican that has been pushed by President Donald Trump?

Robin McCoy: “Yes -after living overseas for a decade with my husband working in the oil industry, i came home filled with a stronger love and renewed pride for this country. Livinginother countries helped me see the importance of our freedoms stated in our amendments and our constitution So, Yes, I have always believedin "America First." We can only help others if we are strong, we can't share what we don't have, we can onlyprotect others if we are powerful and secure. President Donald Trump brought that concept to the front of his campaign and during his presidency our economy was strong. He did not get us in any wars as a testament to peace through power. So, I guess he pushed our whole nation to a level of greatness.”

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Bert Dowlen: “I am a Conservative Republican and believe in the Republican Plat form. I believe in small government, both federal and state. Lowering the awful property taxes. and all the Bill of Rights I voted for President Trump twice because I believe in his desire to see America powerful again, just look what he accomplished in one term as President, outstanding. Many people hated the way he spoke about other people he considered destructive to this republic. Was that different, yes, but I didn’t hire a quire boy, I hired a President of the United States. All this while being fought by the swamp in Washington, a truly huge task. I have seen the swamp while campaigning for others seeking office in Congress, and the State of Texas and Grayson County. The most eye-opening look at people’s ability to lie with no remorse for the harm they tried to impose on a person just to stay in power. That’s not me! I have spent many hours with GCC members vetting candidates campaigning for office making sure that they reflect a true image of what they are stating while on the stump.”

Do you feel as if Grayson County had secure elections in November 2020?

Bert Dowlen: “I feel for the most part elections were secure. There is no evidence that it was not. I do feel that, sadly, was not the case in other states.” Robin McCoy: “I’ve had the same concerns you seem to ask but I have volunteered at the polling sites for years. I was asked to serve on the election board for the last 2 years so I have seen the entire processin Grayson County. We havehad observers watch our process and they were allowed full access. A recent example was when KevinCouch challenged the results and paid for a recount because the results were within a few votes. The system worked and the results stayed the same after the complete recount. There have been no challenges stating any irregularities. In the 2020 election new voter machines were used by Grayson County. These machines were more expensive because they are not connected to the internet and they hold a paper backup which would be used if there were challenges. I feel that secures our vote. We are also very blessed to have thousands of honest, caring, attentive volunteers in Grayson County. However, in other counties and states I still have concerns.”

How will you help ensure that Grayson County will ensure that future elections will be free and fair?

Robin McCoy: “ I will continue to volunteer and work where needed. Getting to know the other workers and volunteers is a greatsafeguard to our system. Also, as stated in question4, I will continue to work on the Election Board at the Voter Registration Office and encourage others to observe each step. I always encourage poll watchers and observers. Again, I feel we are blessed with honesty and integrityin Grayson County but I can see how the voting system could be manipulated, even with all the safeguardsif all the rules and regulations are not observed. So, we must never let our guard down and all continue to do our part.” Bert Dowlen: “I will be there as the county readies itself for the November 2022 elections. I am, let’s say, very outspoken with voters and their beliefs. I am not a member of the swamp. I will be at the poles ensuring that all procedures are followed. I will report and hold our Representatives and Governor’s feet to the fire if any questions of any improprieties that may have occurred either before, during or after an election.”

Football MVP—Austin Haley Volleyball MVP—Kendall Griffin Girls Tennis MVP—Landery Sanders Boys Track MVP—Cooper Jones and Jacob Campbell

Cross Country Girls MVP—Teagan Stubblefield Cross Country Boys MVP—Jacob Campbell Girls Track MVP—Teagan Stubblefield, Mackenzie Krueger, Kendall Griffin, and Aryssa Krueger. Baseball MVP—Austin Haley

Boys Basketball MVP—Jacob Campbell Girls Basketball MVP—Kendall Griffin

Boys Powerlifting MVP—Will Fleming Girls Powerlifting MVP—Jaycie Grisham Softball MVP—Ryleigh Craven Bulldogs #1 Fan—Debby Griffin and Mary Beth Lopez.

Scenes from Founders Day