Texas governor defends Muslim party official as GOP faction seeks his ouster

[DonViejo]

Doug Stanglin, USA TODAY Published 10:19 a.m. ET Jan. 10, 2019

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has condemned attempts by a faction of the Tarrant County Republican party to oust its vice chairman on Thursday because he is a Muslim.

"Religious freedom is at the core of who we are as a nation and state," Abbott said in a statement, "and attacks on Dr. (Shahid) Shafi because of his faith are contrary to this guiding principle."

Abbott is the latest prominent Texas Republican to speak out as members of the executive committee of Tarrant County Republicans were set to vote Thursday night on the fate of Shafi, a trauma surgeon and member of the Southlake City Council.

Sen. Ted Cruz has called discrimination of Shafi "wrong" while Land Commissioner George P. Bush tweeted, "We must move towards a more inclusive Republican Party and stop tearing down our own if we are to keep Texas red."

The Texas GOP executive committee has also rallied to Shafi's cause, passing a non-discrimination resolution that affirms and supports “all Americans’ right to practice their religion … and recognizes the contributions of Republicans of every faith who advance conservative policies and ideals.”

more
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/10/texas-governor-backs-muslim-vice-chair-gop-faction-seeks-his-ouster/2534938002/?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=usatodaycomwashington-topstories

[Renew Deal]

1. "Republicans of every faith who advance conservative policies and ideals"

aka suckers