Texas: Republicans include allegations of voter fraud in party manifesto

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Texas' Gov. Greg Abbott (May 2022): The party is shifting to the right

Photo: MARCO BELLO / REUTERS

The conservative Republican Party in the US state of Texas is moving even further to the right: In a party program passed over the weekend, the Republicans describe the election of Joe Biden as President of the United States as illegal.

The party also rejects homosexuality in its program.

More than 5,000 delegates met in Houston, the largest metropolis in the Republican stronghold, for the three-day meeting, and the party program was then voted on on Saturday.

"We reject the confirmed results of the 2020 presidential election and believe that incumbent President Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was not legitimately elected by the people of the United States," read the resolution, which was passed by a majority at the convention.

The Texas Republicans are thus following the conspiracy myth spread by ex-President Donald Trump that the presidential election was cheated.

Numerous Republicans believe in a "stolen election" despite a lack of evidence.

Courts have now dismissed more than 50 lawsuits filed by Trump and his supporters against the election.

Resistance to the outcome of the election culminated in the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, which a committee of inquiry in Congress is currently working on.

Republicans against homosexuality

In their program, the Republicans also position themselves against homosexuality and transgender people.

It is said that homosexuality is an "abnormal way of life".

Gay Republican Jason Vaughn, who voted against, criticized the decision according to the New York Times: "It doesn't get us anywhere as a party and it doesn't get voters."

The party also opposes "all efforts to recognize transgender identity" and opposes medical treatments for transgender people, including "puberty blockers", hormone therapy and surgery, according to ABC News.

In February, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott wrote a letter directing authorities to classify and investigate transgender children receiving gender reassignment treatment as "child abuse."

Texas is considered a Republican stronghold.

Abbott wants to be re-elected in the next gubernatorial election on November 8 in a duel with Democrat Beto O'Rourke.

The midterms of the US Congress will take place on the same day.

If the Republicans succeed in recapturing majorities in the House of Representatives and Senate from the Democrats, they could block US President Biden in his decisions.

ptz/Reuters