‘Storm’ in Texas
Wild West
When Allen West became the chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, he took on the motto, “We are the storm.” If he was looking to be a disruptive storm in the GOP, he accomplished that mission. Here are some of the most unorthodox moments of his short 11-month tenure as party leader.
Sues governor
In September, West joined with Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller in unsuccessfully suing Gov. Greg Abbott, a fellow Republican, over his decision to add an extra week of early voting to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Rally at Abbott’s mansion
In October, West joined with Miller again at a rally outside the governor’s residence in Austin calling on him to “Free Texas Now” from COVID-19 restrictions, including limited capacity at businesses and mask requirements. West had repeatedly warned during the pandemic about “the tyranny that we see in the great state of Texas.”
A ‘traitor’
In November, after Beaumont Republican Dade Phelan secured the votes to become the next speaker of the Texas House, West slammed him for working with Democrats to get enough votes to win the spot. West said he would not recognize Phelan as the speaker and added that “Texas does not need a Republican political traitor …”
Poison pills
In May, West accused Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a Republican and staunch gun rights advocate, of blocking legislation to allow people over 21 to carry a handgun without a permit. Patrick fired back saying that despite “just plain lies from outside agitators” the bill was on its way to a vote. Still West persisted, accusing Patrick of adding poison pills to the legislation. Patrick’s political team said that wasn’t true, and the measure was later passed by the Legislature and signed by Abbott.