CONWAY A CROWD-PLEASER

It was a star-studded Conservative lineup coming together for the Hays County Republican Party Lincoln-Reagan Dinner in San Marcos. More than 600 gathered at the Embassy Suites San Marcos Hotel and Conference Center for the annual fundraiser on Thursday. Several heavy hitters of the Republican Party, including Lt. Col. Allen West, Republican Party of Texas chairman, attended the event. But it was Guest of Honor Kellyanne Conway who stole the show, revisiting with the crowd her time spent with President Donald Trump and a little about herself.

“I was raised to be conservative… to give more than you take,” Conway said. “No matter what anyone says about you remember there’s a greater, higher authority, that has a plan for you. I was raised by small businesses owners, emphasis on small. They worked seven days a week and took a little time off in the middle of a Sun day — after church — following our Sunday meal, so we could do things together.”

The political strategist told of her time with President Trump.

“What made Donald Trump different is that the normal political motivators didn’t apply to him,” she said. “People want power, he already had it. They want money — had it. They want a position — has it. Every political motivator didn’t apply to him. It was always about the people.”

Conway said Trump stood up for the forgotten man and the forgotten woman and millions of Americans were listening.

“People for decades have told pollsters they want someone with a ton of experience who's never held political office,” she said. “I give America a ton of credit for taking this chance on somebody who had never held elected office.”

She said to grow the conservative movement it was important to know where to begin.

“You don’t start with politics — you end with it,” Conway said. “Get to know people for who they are. Don’t be like everyone else, and encounter somebody and start judging them based on what they just said, or what meeting they went to, or the school they attended. Talk to them. Because out of the 18 things you disagree with, there may be three you agree on.”

Clockwise from top left, Hays County Republican Party Chairman Bob Parks presents the Mary Joe Roddie award to Carla Caskey Sisk during Tuesday's Lincoln-Reagan Dinner. Lt. Col. Allen West — Republican Party of Texas chairman — leads attendees at the Hays County Republican Party Lincoln-Reagan Dinner through the U.S. and Texas pledges. State Sen. Donna Campbell delivers the invocation. U.S. Congressman Roger Williams speaks at Thursday's event. Daily Record photos by Lance Winter

During the evening's event Hays County Republican Party Chairman Bob Parks presented the Mary Joe Roddie award to Carla Caskey Sisk and Ken Roberts. The award is given for those who have upheld the ideals of conservatism and service to the Republican Party and dedicated their time and service to electing conservatives in Hays County and Texas.

Emceeing for the evening was Steve Munisteri, former RPT chairman; invocation by Senator Donna Campbell; pledge from Lt. Co Allen West and videos from Governor Greg Abbott Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, an President Donald Trump U.S. Congressman Roger Williams also addressed the crowd followed by U.S. Congressman Chip Roy who led the benediction.