Musings from the Outgoing Chair
Passing the Torch (With a Nudge)
I'm back in my familiar old leather chair tonight nursing yet another lukewarm coffee. The house is quiet. Outside Oklahoma is pulling its signature meteorological mood swings (sunny one minute, plotting Armageddon the next), and I've got some straight talk to share: yes, you read the headline correctly. . .I'm stepping down as Chairman of the Wagoner County Republican Party.
As I explained to the Executive Committee in my resignation letter, this wasn’t decided over a hasty cup of decaf. I prayed it through—extensively—talked it out with family until they started finishing my sentences, stared at the ceiling at ungodly hours, and finally decided it’s the right move. This role has been one of the greatest honors of my life: connecting with salt-of-the-earth people, fighting for things that actually matter, and learning that leadership is 10% vision and 90% elbow grease. But family’s been waving red flags, other responsibilities are knocking (loudly), and I’m choosing to listen. So with real gratitude, I’m passing the gavel.
Don't mistake this for me checking out. I'm still in the fight, just shifting spots from the front to the cheering section. Which conveniently leads to the part where I give the rest of you a loving but pointed nudge (think elbow to the ribs, not cattle prod).
We pray for our nation—fervently and faithfully—and we should keep right on doing that. But God is a God of action, not just intentions. You can’t lean on a shovel and pray for a hole. James called faith without works dead, and he wasn’t kidding. In this election year, when the economy’s still limping, immigration enforcement feels optional, schools are experimenting with everything except actual education, and freedoms are getting nibbled away daily, sitting on the couch isn’t spiritual maturity; it’s spiritual malpractice.
Let’s talk primaries, the place where apathy does its worst damage. Turnout there is often so low you could hold the election in a phone booth and still have room for coffee. But that’s precisely when the candidates who appear on the November ballot get decided. Skip it because we're too busy, too cynical, or too "my one vote won't matter," and we're basically letting the other side (or the insiders) decide for us. In a year like this, that’s not sitting it out, that’s active assistance to the other team.
I’ve seen what happens when even a handful of us get serious--phone banks buzz, yard signs multiply like they’re on fertilizer, neighbors move from polite waves to actual conversations. Small actions snowball into real momentum. Apathy doesn’t sit neutral; it quietly picks a winner, and it rarely picks wisely. Our nation needs us now more than ever.
So my final ask is to roll up your sleeves. Don’t just gulp down the thirty-second commercials or the shiny endorsement lists. Do the "not fun" work: read the platforms (yes, past page one), watch debates without the pundit color commentary, talk to folks who’ve actually been in the room with these people. Ask the real questions: Do they defend life consistently? Protect families instead of redefining them out of existence? Treat taxpayer dollars like they came from actual work? Secure borders with resolve? Support Americans first? And—here’s the one that trips up too many—are they the same person behind closed doors that they sell on the campaign trail? It's not always exciting work, but if we can spend hours debating sports or doom-scrolling memes, we can carve out time to research who's going to represent us. Primaries are June 16th. . .put it on your calendar and plan to vote!!!
As I say goodnight this final time from my creaky old chair, I want to offer heartfelt congratulations and my complete support to Cory Lakey, our new Chairman, approved by the County Committee in a meeting this morning. Cory, you’ve got the horsepower, the clarity, the principle-driven grit, and the heart this group needs heading into the storm. Lead boldly, stay rooted in what’s right, ignore the noise when it tries to drown out the mission, and know I’m cheering you on from the sidelines--praying for you, believing in you, and probably texting you with unsolicited advice when you least want it.
Thank you—for the trust, the friendship, the occasional eye-rolls, and every single time you showed up when it counted. It’s been a wild, worthwhile ride.
In hope and resolve,
Terri Coulter
Outgoing Chairman, Wagoner County Republican Party
If you live in Wagoner County and would like to keep up to date with our monthly meetings and events. Please REGISTER NOW on the website with a current email for yourself and we will make sure to keep you up to date. Donate here.
 |
|
Follow Us On Our Social Media Platforms
Showing 2 reactions