Texas GOP to debate secession on convention floor

Delegates at state convention for the Republican Party of Texas will have a chance to vote on Texas secession, after a platform item calling for independence passed a special committee on Wednesday morning. It is not expected to pass, but represents a substantial achievement for proponents of a Lone Star nation.

The Houston Chronicle previously reported that activists with the Texas Nationalist Movement, a secessionist organization, had helped pass independence resolutions in at least 22 county or district conventions in March.

Fireworks explode behind the Alamo during the official opening of Fiesta in 2015. Fireworks explode behind the Alamo during the official opening of Fiesta in 2015. Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, Staff Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, Staff Image 1 of / 36 Caption Close Texas GOP to debate secession on convention floor 1 / 36 Back to Gallery

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Those resolutions went to a 31-member platform committee, which decides what will be put up for discussion at the state convention, which begins Thursday.

Tanya Robertson, a GOP official with the State Republican Executive committee who has advocated a secession vote before, said the item passed the committee "overwhelmingly" early Wednesday.

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"It's going to be available for delegates to debate and vote on Friday during the convention," she said. "This is pretty big. This is really pretty huge."

Most party leaders have firmly distanced themselves from the secession talk, and the proposal to hold a statewide vote on leaving Uncle Sam will most likely by swiftly shot down by the assembly of delegates.