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Home » 2022-05-24 election » GOP Precinct 102 » Chair » DJ Fike

DJ Fike
Party Republican
Website
Born Houston
Education BA in Teaching, MS Informational Technology
Occupation Retired
Religion Baptist
Marital Single
Children 3

DJ Fike

declared

I was born in Houston, Texas, a long time ago! My family moved to Freeport when I was in the 4th grade and I lived in Brazoria County for most of my life. I graduated from Brazosport High School, again, a long time ago, then went to Sam Houston State where I majored in Teaching and minored in Physics. I began my teaching career at Smiley High School and have taught in both public and private schools and even taught in Windham School District (prison system) for 10 years. I attended University of Houston Clear Lake and earned my Master of Science degree in Instructional Technology with a specailization in Human Resource Management. 

I met and married my husband in 1977 and we have 3 sons. Two of which live nearby. That is what brought me to Montgomery County after I retired. I wanted to be nearer my sons. The third son lives in Oregon. I have two beautiful granddaughters also in Oregon. 

After my husband passed away 8 years ago and I came to Montgomery County, I found that a dear friend had also landed here after retirement and we were able to reconnect, She is the one who introduced me to the world of Montgomery County Politics. I have been a life long republican from a family of mostly republicans, and a multi-generational TEXAN, as my family came here with an original land grant with S. F. Austin. A fact I am very proud of! 

In 2019, I started attending CEC (County Executive Committee)  meetings with my friend and decided I wanted to be an active and involved citizen. I ran for Precinct Chair for Pct. 43 and was seated for the 2020-22 bieneium. In 2021, I was redistricted to the new Precinct 102 and was elected during the 2022 Primary. Since my first election, I have attended every CEC meeting, have been elected by the CEC to the Steering Committee, and most recently as the Party secretary. I continue to serve on the Fundraising Committee which has raised approximately $75K. I am also a member of the Communication Team that produces our monthly newsletter The Republican Reporter of which I am very proud. It is the team's goal to produce and be a factual, verifiable, and informational source that voters can rely on for truthful and relevant information.  I am also on the Precinct Chair Training and Development Committee. 

I am a member of the Montgomery County Tea Party and was elected to the Board of Directors. In 2022, I was asked to serve on the Board of Directors of Eagle Forum. I am also a charter member of the Freedom Caucus. In addition, I serve as an early voting clerk and election day judge. Honesty, Integrity, and Transparency in government is my mantra and are extremely important to me as I work to make Montgomery County Republicans proud. 

 

MCTP PAC Rating of: Recommended Source

Submitted by john wertz on 2024-01-03 20:38:32

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Also, the Texas Eagle Forum PAC has given it's official endorsement of the MCTP Recommended candidates for Precinct Chairs, as well as the personal endorsement from Cindi Castilla, President of TEF!!

 

 

Questionnaire

General

This is a Republican primary race.  Do you promise, if elected, to abide by the RPT platform? And if not, please enumerate what problems you have.

I have read the entire Republican Platform and have no objections to the Platform. I rely on the Platform as the guiding political principals in how I represent my contituents and fellow Republicans as a Precinct Chair and member of the County Executive Committee. 

What best describes your political ideology most(circle only one).   
1.        Republican                     
2.        Grassroots                     
3.        Conservative
4.        Tea Party

I am a Texas Conservative. The smaller the government the better, the less intrusive the better, the more fiscally responsible the better. The people do not need government to 'run our lives" we are more than capable to take care of ourselves, our families, and our neighbors. 

There's discussion about making major revisions to the RPT Platform. Please describe the nature of any major changes you support.

One of the most important issues in today's society is the rights of Parents to raise their children without govenment interference. This includes medical and educational decisions. Government's responsibility is to protect the rights of its citizens not to determine what those rights are. Our Rights are given by God not man. I would like to see the Republican Party reflect these princiaples more strongly and make protecting our families and especially our children from medical and educational tyranny a top priority. 

I would also like to see the Party take a more forceful position on protecting our border, making sure that Republican principals and priorities are promoted by stopping the appointment of democrats to legislative committees, and by holding elected officials to a much higher standard of ethics and conduct than is presently exemplified. 

  

Should the county GOP chair be involved with fundraising? Why or why not?

Most assuredly Yes!  The county chair is the "face of the Republican Party" and as such it is his duty to promote the party's principles and brand to the community. Fundraising is an integral part of the party's activities as the money raised is needed to get republican voters to the polls to elect republican candidates. The events and activiites of the fundraising committee help bring awareness of the party to the community and should therefore be actively promoted and supported by the County Chair and all CEC members.  

Do you like the Steering Committee style of leadership currently in place or that of just a county chairman?

I do not support dictatorial style leadership in any form. No one person knows what is best for everyone else. The County Party is comprised of Precinct chairs elected by those in the precinct. The county chair is presently elected in a county-wide election. So all members represent the county's Republican voters. The county chairman's duty is to lead the meeting, oversee the work of the chairs, promote the Party, and support Republican candidates and elected officials. It is not to dictate or make unilateral decisions. Otherwise, we would not need precinct chairs. 

So, yes, I support the Steering Committee and its role in the leadership of the party.

Do you think the 'Republican' brand should be used by PACs in their names that may deceive voters? Why or why not?"

No! The Republican name belongs to all Republican voters and should not be used to deceive voters into believing that any one small/local "group" of people represent the Republican Party and its voters en masse. I have seen a local group of people that use the name Republican in their PAC's name for the purpose of misleading voters into believing they represent the Republican Party. This is unethical, fraudulent, and deceptive on the part of this PAC. They produce a voter guide then ask potential voters if they want a "republican guide". That is dishonest at the very least and gives an advantage of one Republican candidate over another in primary races. It is the policy of the REPUBLICAN PARTY not to endorse any candidate in a primary race, so the misuse of the name and the brand does a great disservice to the Party and damages its credibility in the eyes of the public. 

Do you beieve that the county chair/precinct chairs should actively participate in at least one committee?

Yes, I even tried to get this into the By-laws. The key words in the question are"actively participate". In order for the CEC to be effective at promoting republican candidates, getting local citizens to become active in local politics, and to be responsible and knowledgable voters requires a great deal of work. Every elected precinct chair has a duty to participate and that takes time and effort. There are a variety of opportunities to help or lead committees to make the work of the party more effective. The office of precinct chair is not just a title, it requires one to invest both time and resources to get the job done. 

Are you willing to put in the time necessary to attend CEC meetings, additional committee meetings, training sessions, blockwalking, etc?

Yes I am. As a precinct chair for the past 2 years I have attended every called CEC meeting. As the fundraising committee chair, I have attended scores of meetings, and spent many hours planning and executing events. I have attended training sessions, blockwalked for myself and other candidates, and I serve as an election clerk and judge. I enjoy the challenge and being part of something I belive is vital to maintaining our republic and our freedoms. I may have limited resources, but time is something I can and do give. 

How do you believe precinct chairs should be involved in elections? (election judge, clerk, none?)

Voting is of utmost importance. Not only is it my duty as a citizen and a partiot, but it is a privilege to be guarded and protected. Serving as an election official is one way to help ensure the integrity and meaning of every individual's vote. This is one way precinct chairs can participate in the electoral process. 

It takes time, and can be exhausting, but it is worth every minute. I believe that every chair should help out at every opportunity. It may not be possible to serve during every election, but precinct chairs should be willing to set the example and encourage their constituents to work at the polls in some capcity. 

 

What's your position on Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan?

I remember hearing about Speaker Phelan  when he was running for the position of Speaker. I was under the impression that he was touted as being a good choice as a conservative republican and would be an excellent choice over the former Speaker. However, over the course of the session, I learned that Mr. Phelan appointed democrats over republicans to chair various committees, some of which held a lot of power and influence. Then, the Speaker failed to fulfil the Republican Legislative priorities as determined by the state's republican voters through precinct, Senatorial, and state conventions. 

So, I was disappointed in Mr. Phelan  not only as the Speaker of the House but as a republican congressman. He failed in his duty to push the legislative agenda. He also did not follow through on holding the democrats that walked out of the House and the State to purposely hold up specific legislation responsible. He should have immediately removed them as chairs and members of all committees and not allowed them to return to the House as if they had done nothing to interfere with the business of TEXAS! 

Budget

Would you support legislative action to establish a salary framework (possibly related to the Gov. salary) for all taxpayer funded employees with a stipulation that elected officials be required to get voter approval to exceed that framework for their own salaries?

Definitely. I have often stated that any elected official's salary should reflect the average salary of their contituents. Elected officials should not be taking a huge salary from the taxpayers who are struggling to make ends meet. Elected officials should never have the option of voting themselves a salary increase in any circumstance. Voters should have a say in the way their taxes are spent and salaries  and benefits are a huge part of government expenditures. 

Use the last 2 years as an example, while most residents of this county suffered lost wages, lost jobs, lost businesses, the county employees did not. So, what do commisioners do.... vote themselves and county workers a 5% pay raise at taxpayer expense, while most taxpayers have yet to recover from their own losses. Shameful behavior on the part of county government. I don't believe taxpayers would have voted to give them a payraise, but we had no say in the matter. 

A salary framework is a great idea to help keep salaries in check and reflective of the local economy. 

 

Other civil liberty

Do you support or oppose federal funding for Planned Parenthood and other agencies that perform abortions, both in the U.S. and abroad (even if they use money derived from other sources)?

No taxpayer money should be used to take the life of a child, born or unborn, period. I do not support abortion in any circumstance including rape or incest. The child is not responsible for such events and can not be held responsible for such. It is a tragedy, but only the party responsible for such acts should be held accountable. Planned Parenthood is a blight on our society, and is responsible for the death of millions of people.  Why are they not held accountable?

 

Education

Do you support or oppose social programs in our schools (like C-Scope, Common Core, CRT, International Baccalaureate, SEL, etc.)? Why or why not?

As a teacher for close to 40 years, I saw many changes in the educational system, most of them detrimental to the students' education, their morals, and their prospects of becoming productive, successful, and happy adults. 

Somewhere along the line, the progressive wing of society usurped the role of parents and became the arbitor of what is right or wrong, what is acceptable or not, and  now it decides how people should respond to those who do not conform to society's demands and expectations. Schools were one tool used to accomplish the destruction of the core family, the concept of self regulation and responsiblility, and the definition of successful, happy, and productive. 

Programs that teach that America is responsible for the world's ills and problems, that the American Dream is a racist and unconsionable idea, and that equality and equity are one and the same are bringing about the destruction of this country.  The programs listed above and many others are major factors in the present state of our society. 

Schools should be teaching children how to read and understand words and sentences. How to write so others can read and understand their thoughts and ideas. How to do the math required to function in the world, and how to comprehend the world around them through science. Students need to learn the actual facts of history so as to learn from it, good and bad. Schools are not to replace parents, grandparents, family or churches as teachers of values, traditions, and ethics. 

So, yes, I oppose these programs and others like them whose only purpose is the destruction of our families and our country.  

Ethics

Is there anything in your background of an embarrassing nature that should be explained before your election? Arrests/Convictions? Bankruptcys?

No

At what point should the "right to life" or "personhood" be granted to new human beings (e.g., at conception, sign of heartbeat, 3 months of pregnancy, birth, 5 days old, etc)? What action, if any, will you take to reflect this in law?

LIfe begins at conception and is granted by our Creator. Birth is not an accident, it is a Divine plan and every individual is born for a purpose. 

I support candidates who believe in this principle as demonstrated not only through their words but their voting records as well. i will actively support those who make passing the Pro-life agenda one of their priorities. 

Should the county GOP chair be involved in any other political organizations, including PAC's, while serving a term as the chairman? Why or why not?

Not in my opinion. As stated previously, the County Chair is the Face of the Party and should represent all Republicans. If the chair is associated with only certain groups, PACS, or organizations then distrust and division is the result. So, during his/her tenure as the County Chair, he should remain as neutral as possible and refrain from associating with any outside organization(s).

Immigration

What, if anything, should be done to protect our borders from illegal immigration?

Borders should be closed! A border wall is one measure, but it must be backed up with the manpower who have the authority to enforce the laws of the United States. If the federal government fails in its duty to protect our border, then Texas, as a border state, has the moral obligation to its citizens to protect our state from invasion. Complete an unscalble wall,  monitor with drones and technology, implement a no enter policy, and enforce it. Asylum seekers must go through the establised procedures. Immigrants must follow the laws and not try to enter then follow the law. The government must be more efficient in processing asylum and immigrant seekers. 

It is a touchy subject and an emotional one, but one that must be dealt with. There are no easy answers, no one answer that will solve the problem, but stopping an influx of foreign nationals from crossing our border at will is a must. 

Transportation

Do you support or oppose the referendum passed by both the MoCo GOP Executive Committee and SREC to allow voters, at the statewide level, to decide whether or not they want a particular toll road?

I am not in favor of toll roads, so yes I support the referendum. We pay taxes to provide roads and the maintence of those roads, Tolls are another form of taxation.Taxpayers should have maximum input to how their dollars will be spent and should be able to vote on such major expenditures and on whether a road (or fast rail) is needed in the coummunity. 

Other

What does being a conservative mean to you?

A smaller government that doesn't iinterfere in my life.  More accountability and responsiblity for elected officials. Fiscal responsibility, don't spend my money on frivilous and unneccesary projects/issues. Chad Prather made a statement, "My job as governor is to get government out of your life." That is exactly how I feel. I am, and most citizens are, perfectly capable of taking care of myself and my family, of providing for myself and my family, and for making and carrying out my own decisions. I do not need a government official to tell me how to live.

Conservatism is an idea that upholds the laws of God, recognizes and respects the unique abilities of individuals, and claims the right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.