Gregg County GOP leader says party aims to get out vote in November

Editor's Note: This story was corrected to state that Gans & Smith Insurance, Inc. is not the McWhorter family's business.

People often say any given presidential election is the most important one yet, said William McWhorter, the new chairman of the Gregg County Republican Party.

But this year, "it's true," he said.

Americans agree that this year's election will be pivotal for the nation's future, polls show. The rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump — along with the third-party candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — will make this year's election one of the most unique in history.

But the presidency isn't the only office on the ballot. Voters across the nation will elect candidates to a variety of offices at the local, state and federal levels.

With that in mind, McWhorter said he and his fellow East Texas Republicans will engage in strong campaign efforts to show voters that Republican candidates and causes are most advantageous for America — and to encourage them to head to the polls in November.

"We have a very strong group of candidates throughout the entire slate of the ticket," McWhorter said in a recent interview. "We're excited to help all of them and make sure that our voters know what they're going to be able to do that will help them and their families."

Passion for public service

McWhorter, 33, said his first couple of months in office have been busy. Following the March primary, the party conducted its precinct-level and countywide conventions, forming the party's stances on political issues and electing delegates to attend the state GOP convention in May.

Although he was elected to the chairman's position during the March 5 primary, McWhorter has been in office since February, when former Chairman Brian Bowden stepped down.

McWhorter's last name is a familiar one in Longview. His father, David, served as Longview's mayor from 1997 to 2000. It was during his father's tenure at the top that the younger McWhorter found a passion for public service that has carried him from East Texas to Austin to Washington, D.C., and back.

"My parents instilled in me that it's important to volunteer, to give back, to play a part in your community in whatever way that is," he said.

McWhorter is a Longview native and a 2009 Longview High School graduate. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2013 with a degree in government. While in college, he was an intern at the state Capitol during two legislative sessions. In 2015, he was a clerk for the Texas House of Representatives' Economic and Small Business Development Committee.

Later that year, he headed to the U.S. Capitol, where he worked for two Texas congressmen: former Reps. Kevin Brady and Blake Farenthold. He was there through summer 2016 when he left for New Hampshire to campaign for former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte in her reelection bid.

He returned to Longview in 2017.

McWhorter works as a producer at Gans & Smith Insurance Agency., Inc. He's also involved in various civic organizations, including the Longview Rotary and the Longview Symphony.

His latest venture as the leader of the county GOP pulls from his past experiences, both political and personal. The party participates in street clean-up projects, and other party members have roles in local nonprofit organizations.

Their concerns aren't all about policy and the party, he said.

"It's both the county party and the people that are volunteering that are not just, of course, focused on the other two areas, but also making sure that Longview and Gregg County are moving in the right direction, as we are," McWhorter said.

Eyes on the election

Moving the city and county forward comes back to the campaign trail for McWhorter. Conservative candidates on the ballot "are working hard to do the right thing for the constituents and community," he said.

Leading up to the November general election, the party will host fundraisers and other events aimed at convincing voters of the same. McWhorter said the party will have events where the public can hear from elected officials and other activities to get out the vote.

He didn't give details about any specific events but said they're being planned. Party members will be talking with voters as part of their grassroots campaign efforts as well.

This year especially, people understand "what's at stake" and the importance of voting, McWhorter said.

"We'll build on all of what we've been doing to make sure we have a successful election year," he said.

The county GOP has been preparing for the state GOP convention, which will take place in May in San Antonio. The party will send almost 50 delegates to the convention, where party members will outline the GOP's priorities and elect party leaders.

During the county party's March conventions, party members voiced their views on various issues — from abortion and gun rights to the southern border and more — and passed resolutions stating the party's stance on those issues, which they'll take to the state convention.

Party moving 'right way'

While some polling data shows that younger American voters tend to lean to the left, McWhorter said the county party has members from all age demographics, and people of all ages are volunteering.

McWhorter is the youngest Gregg County GOP chairman in recent history, and he could be one of the youngest in the organization's history, he said. He's also the president of the East Texas Young Republicans Club.

County party members have been receptive and supportive of him, and the party's members and candidates are working well together, he said.

"We're in a strong position and moving in the right way," he said.

McWhorter said anyone interested in getting involved in the party can reach out in a number of ways. The organization has a website and Facebook page with contact information, and people can call its office at (903) 754-5813.

McWhorter said he wants people to know that the party is accessible and is looking for new volunteers.

"We're going to figure out what their passions are and what they care about, and then we'll plug them in to those areas where they can enjoy and be successful at what they're doing," McWhorter said.

Leading up to November, he said the party will continue to build on its momentum to help keep Texas red — and show voters that Republican policies are best for them, he said.

"I can see what we're doing is helping people and helping businesses and putting Longview and Gregg County in a great position to continue to do well in the future and grow," he said.