Since Texas is a Republican state in statewide elections, turning out and voting is critical. With estimates as low as a turnout of 5% of registered voters, your vote means a lot in a runoff election.

Essentially, the GOP nominee will win the statewide elections for the U.S. Senate, two Railroad Commissioner seats and the Texas Supreme Court, so if you want to pick who wins, you must vote in the Republican Primary Runoff on July 31st.

The GOP primary voters need to vote in large numbers. Why? This turnout will ensure we nominate the true choice of the Republicans of Texas and not someone who attracts a fanatical fringe group that is motivated and loud.

The recommendations TCR has made are based on investigation, research, interviews with knowledgeable GOP activists and with the candidates when possible. Each of the candidates recommended are proven conservatives who also know how to get things done besides complaining.

They are ALL workhorses and will continue to advance conservative reform for the State of Texas. Some of their opponents are show horses; talkers and not doers who try to seduce the voters with their oratorical skills. Don't be fooled by the "talkers," be impressed with the "doers."

U.S. Senate: David Dewhurst

Railroad Commissioner: Christi Craddick

Railroad Commissioner Unexpired Term: Barry Smitherman

Texas Supreme Court Place 4: John Devine

U.S. Congress 36th District: Stephen Takach

U.S. Congress 14th District: Randy Weber

Harris County Sheriff: Louis Guthrie

129th District Court of Harris County: Chris Gillett

152nd District Court of Harris County: Don Self

10th District Court of Galveston County: Kerry Neves

405th District Court of Galveston County: Michelle Slaughter

Galveston County Sheriff: John Kinard

Galveston County Commissioner Pct 1: Ryan Dennard

Texas House Representative District 24: Ryan Sitton

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in June we created only 80,000 new jobs. During the same month, 85,000 workers got to receive SSI disability and went off the job rolls. This continues a trend under Barack Obama. So while the President created 2.6 million jobs, an incredible 3.1 million signed up for SSI disability. This is not the way to build a strong and prosperous economy and it hides the true unemployment rate, which TCR bets that's his goal.

When Annise Parker won the election for Mayor of Houston twice, both times she assured Republicans of a couple of things: (1) she was a fiscal conservative, and (2) she would be a non-partisan political figure as befits her non-partisan office.

Until a few months ago she had generally kept her promise, but not now. Recently, she has become a front-and-center leader in the Obama Campaign for President and is taking an anti-growth position, opposing a coal fueled electric power plant in the Corpus Christi area, depriving us of needed energy production capacity. These actions and others tell TCR a number of things could be afoot. Among them are: (1) She seeks an Obama administration appointment if there is a second term and doesn't plan to run again after her recent very narrow victory in 2011. (2) She has decided she doesn't need GOP votes to win a third term as the GOP doesn't matter, or (3) she plans to be a Democratic candidate for some other office in the near future.

Regardless, one fact is clear, without GOP votes, Annise Parker would never have been elected Mayor of Houston and in all probability can't be reelected against a qualified opponent.

Red, White & Blue featuring TCR Editor Gary Polland and liberal commentator David Jones is on break and will return better than ever during PBS Fall Premiere week in September.