02/14/2026
My Open Letter to the Bell Co GOP was too much to handle for the Temple Daily Telegram, so here it is:
On 01/22/2026 I went to the West Side Conservative Coalition Town Hall meeting in Killeen to see and hear the candidates who are running for the Texas 31st Congressional District. The venue was pretty nice and the event seemed pretty well planned and many volunteers were serious in their roles but also enjoyed being there. The only exception perhaps was that the amount of public questions were underestimated and people had to be turned away for the event to stay within their allotted time slot. This is both understandable and frustrating at the same time.
But this is not the reason for this letter. The reason for this letter is the conduct of some Bell County GOP party members, the disgusting tactics used to embarrass one, singled out candidate, and the obvious selection of the party on an, not yet officially endorsed, candidate.
The turnout was good in my opinion, many citizens came to the town hall meeting and most candidates showed up. I'm not surprised that our incumbent was unavailable, this seems to be the going thing to do for him...
From the moment the candidates introduced themselves and during public questions, many party members were sitting in their chairs, putting their heads together, just to giggle and to talk crap about whoever was speaking at that time. Some giggle coughing and even cackling could be observed in the room as well. This was both very disrespectful but also inconsiderate of others who were there to listen to the candidates.
Many, if not most, public questions have been asked by party members. I wonder if their favorite candidate knew what was coming and could prepare a little?!
Either way, the most disgusting action of the event was when a question was asked to only one candidate, and the question was about how many times he will continue to run for office if he should not win this time. For a second I thought about standing up and addressing this publicly, but the candidate did so before I could, and he did a good job in putting that person in his place and received a good amount of applause for it. During a break I located the person who asked that question in the room and I let that person know that this question was [quote] fu**ed up! [/quote].
This type of behavior, combined with giggles and smirks, and a touch of arrogance, makes this party appear to be an unwelcoming group of good-ol-boys and -girls that won't allow anyone who is not approved by either their inner circle or the Texas GOP, to bring forth their ideas and criticism, and with it, won't be seen a respected and equal member/candidate for this district. Interestingly enough, most of the gigglers and know-it-all types of people would never put their own name on a ballot, I'm certain.
The Bell County GOP has mentioned in the past that the democratic party keeps encroaching in this district and that we have to fight back and become serious about our elections. In order for this to happen the party has to become serious first. Favoritism needs to be quashed and all candidates running in a primary election have to receive the same amount of support and respect throughout! But instead of doing this the party picks favorites, attacks other candidates online, tries to humiliate them publicly and urges them to drop out so that the ballot won't be [quote] diluted [/quote].
It is NOT for the party to decide who gets to put their name on the ballot and who doesn't! Candidates give the people an option, an option for them to vote for whoever the people deem the most fit to represent them! We all know that political parties are the problem, but not many dare say it out loud. I sure wish political parties, or rather the party members, would possess more integrity and are willing to put country over party. Until this happens I wouldn't be surprised seeing more and more people seeking out independent candidates.
Right now not many can see this, thinking we only can either vote red or blue, and that no independent politician can bring forth meaningful legislation. Wrong. Some even suggest we need more political parties. This is wrong as well, but the scope of explaining this is too much for this letter. I think, if our political parties don't straighten out their frat boy mentality, we will see more and more people seeking out independent candidates. And over the course of a few years, maybe a decade, and we will see more independents getting elected to all levels of offices.
So ask yourself, what is good for this country, what is good for the district and what is good for the people. And then act accordingly!
Bottom line, we need to do better and we need to live by example!
Thank you very much for your time.
Sincerely yours,
Jorge Estrada
https://www.tdtnews.com/news/letters_to_the_editor/article_54b32f31-4aae-4b33-ab0c-45a974a6c95d.html
