Jefferson County GOP denounces violence, expresses support for criminal justice reform

PORT NECHES — From Jefferson County GOP - In the wake of the death of George Floyd, Jefferson County Republicans met Tuesday night and resolved to continue their support for criminal justice reforms while saying they condemn violent protests.

“In 1997, Floyd, then 23, was convicted for having less than 1 gram of cocaine and was sentenced to 10 months in jail,” said Nichols. “Could Texas criminal justice reforms proposed today turned his life around then?” said Judy Nichols, Jefferson County Republican Party Chairwoman.

Police reports show Floyd would later spend five stints in jail. Ten years later, he was convicted of a 1st Degree Felony with a weapon after a 2007 home invasion. At 33, He was sentenced to five years within the Texas criminal justice system. He left Houston to turn his life around in Minneapolis.

Nichols said President Trump’s and Republican leadership at the national, and now local level, are working to end the historical oppression against this community.

“On May 10, Jacorion Randle following Dade Phelan and President Trump’s lead, proposed a county party resolution to work to make criminal justice reform a reality in the state of Texas,” said Nichols. “Delegates to our county convention on June 20th are scheduled to vote on the resolution.”

Randle, the first African American Jefferson County Republican candidate to challenge Joe Deshotel for the House Seat 22, said in a May 10, 2020 interview with the Beaumont Enterprise, “We have to reform our drug policies to where it doesn’t criminalize nonviolent drug possession or use.”

“American History makes it clear-the republican party of Lincoln ended slavery and brought political freedom.” said Nichols. “President Trump’s economic policies were allowing for people of color to enjoy historical economic freedom and his First Step Act is the right step in restoring black lives.” Nichols added protests only continue to delay the economic recovery so desperately needed.

Trump signed the Act approximately 6 months ago after senate republicans proposed legislation.

Nichols said it was important for local candidates to recommit to President Trump’s First Step Act signed into law on December 2018. The act’s short title is Formerly Incarcerated Reenter Society Transformed Safely Transitioning Every Person Act.

“Violence solves nothing, and socialist agitators want anarchy. President Trump’s First Step Act along with reducing African American unemployment mirrors what Lincoln and republicans of the 1860’s did during reconstruction that brought political and economic freedom oppressed slaves,” said Nichols