Norman Newton stepped down this week as Executive Director of the Associated Republicans of Texas (ART) after nearly 30 years of service in that position.

Newton has been seriously ill over the past few months and not able to exercise his usual hands-on leadership style at ART. Pat Robins, Newton’s longtime Deputy, will serve as the acting head of the organization for the time being.

The Associated Republicans of Texas was set up originally at the behest of the late Sen. John Tower to help Republican candidates win legislative seats in the Texas Senate and House. Its first (and only) executive director was former Tower staffer Norman Newton. ART has been very successful in its mission of electing Republicans to the state legislature with the Republican Party now having a majority in both the Texas House and the Senate.

Newton’s resignation comes at a difficult time for Texas Republicans as Democrats mount a major campaign in 2006 to take back the Texas House. Democrats recently won a special election in a heavily Republican district in the Austin area as Democrat Donna Howard defeated Republican Ben Bentzin by a substantial margin.

Newton’s leadership will be sorely missed by Texas Republicans, particularly in an election year that is expected to have many competitive races for the Texas House. Norman’s many friends wish him a speedy recovery. He will continue to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of ART.

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