Brandon Barrera A Texas A&M University-Kingsville student majoring in political science is hoping to become the new leader of the Kleberg County Republican Party in his first run at public office.

Twenty-one-year-old Brandon Barrera is a lifelong resident of Kingsville, and has held an interest in politics since he was 11 years old. That was the same year the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 took place, he said, and he found himself fixated on the political scene that unfolded afterwards.

As he got older, Barrera said he became more involved in the political process, serving on the Texas Republican Party’s nomination committee at the 2010 state convention. He is also a precinct chair in Kleberg County and has served as president of the TAMUK College Republicans.

“It’s really taught me a lot on how we get our candidates elected,” he said. “I think that’s valuable experience for a (party) chairman.”

Barrera said if elected as the party chairman for Kleberg County Republicans, he would work to increase voter turnout in future elections and motivate the base to become more involved in the political scene. He said he would also work with candidates to better prepare for campaigns, which would include organizing block walks or other events.

“I love my community, and I think that’s the best way for me to give back and get something good done for the people of Kleberg County,” he said.

Barrera said he felt he could do a better job than current Republican Party Chairwoman Connie Cashen, whom he is facing in the May 29 Primary Election. He said he would hold regular meetings to increase communication with officers and precinct chairs, as well as delegate responsibilities to some of the party members in order to give them more of a role in the party’s success.

“The worst thing a good leader can do is micromanage,” he said.

Barrera said he felt the county, normally a Democratic stronghold, and state are prime for an influx of Republican leadership. He cited the past elections of Kleberg County District Attorney John Hubert and County Commissioners Chuck Schultz and David Rosse as evidence of that progress.

“It’s been a process,” he said.

Barrera said the party would need strong leadership to help elect Republican leaders he feels can restore fiscal responsibility and conservative values to county government.

“Our ultimate goal is to defeat liberalism and socialism, and I think as long as we can coalesce around that, we’ll be all right,” he said. “New ideas are always good.”