Sparks Fly at GOP Primary Candidates Debate

By Gloria Way

   The Chambers County GOP held its second 2026 GOP Primary Candidates Forum last Thursday evening at the Winnie Stowell Community Building in Winnie. Over 100 people attended. Many were there to support their favorite candidate while others were undecided and wanted to hear from the candidates to determine how they will vote on March 3^rd.

  Shiloh Platts from Jefferson County was the evening’s moderator. Platts did an excellent job keeping the debate flowing.

  A highlight of the evening was the debate between incumbent State Representative(D-23), Terri Leo Wilson and challenger Nathan Watkins. Wilson missed last week’s debate in Mont Belvieu due to the birth of a grandchild, so this was the first time both Wilson and Watkins shared the stage.

  Leo Wilson highlighted the fact that she has been rated one of the most conservatives in the Texas State House. “I have voted for property tax relief, border security. I have been endorsed by the National Federation of Independent Businesses. My record is one of promoting tax relief, public safety, and education reform,” she added.

  Wilson touts her endorsements from President Donald Trump, Texas Governor Greg Abott, and US Senator Ted Cruz. “I am the only candidate with a record of real results. I am pro-family, pro-2^nd amendment, pro-limited government, pro-fiscal responsibility.” “You know me. I have been here. I did not just show up in the Republican party two months ago,” she emphasized. “I stand on a lifetime of experience and leadership in advancing the policies contained in the Republican party platform.”

  Watkins emphasized his military background and how this experience made him “goal oriented”. “Nathan brings the courage and discipline to cut property taxes, cap appraisal hikes, and cut waste in Austin,” states his website. “Nathan is the only candidate in the race that is committed and capable of fulfilling President Trump’s agenda in Texas. Our current leadership has proven time and again to not be up to the task.” “I am focused solely on moving ahead. My military training taught me to always focus on the goal,” he said. Watkins also talked about his 10 years as city manager for the City of Mont Belvieu. “We turned Mont Belvieu into a city in the last years. As city manager, I negotiated billion-dollar deals with industry coming into our city, and we managed the growth.”

  Controversy surrounds the campaign with a group called Texas Defense PAC. Television ads, internet ads, and mailers have been distributed with the most uncomplimentary pictures of Leo Wilson and declaring Leo Wilson’s record “puts public safety, reliability, and affordability at risk”. Leo Wilson says the claims are “outright lies” while Watkins says his campaign has nothing to do with Texas Defense PAC.

  So, what is the Texas Defense PAC? It is a group that has contributions of about $9.2 million with $9.1 million coming from the Las Vegas Sands Corporation (Dr. Miriam Adelson). The Las Vegas Sands Corporation owns the Venetian Casino Resort in Las Vegas and four casino/resorts in Macao, China, and one casino/resort in Singapore.

  The Texas Defense Pac is a casino lobby that is escalating its spending blitz ahead of the 2026 Texas Republican primaries, with mailers landing in districts across the state as gambling interests push to reshape the Texas legislature. The Leo Wilson – Watkins race has been targeted by Texas Defense PAC.

  Questions have arisen about Watkins association with Barbers Hill Independent School District. Watkins is on the board of directors of the Barbers Hill ISD Education Foundation, which is the largest education foundation in the country. The foundation boasts over $175 million in assets. Watkins is currently the vice president of Americus Holdings which is a Texas based development firm specializing in public private partnerships. The education foundation has entered into a partnership with American Holdings to develop a luxury apartment complex in Mont Belvieu and the foundation has purchased land valued at $6 million from Americus Holdings for the apartment complex. Some citizens see Watkins’ position on the foundation board as a conflict of interest. And, Greg Poole, the head of the BHISD Education Foundation donated $25,000 to Watkins campaign.

  The final 2026 GOP Primary Candidates forum will be held on Tuesday evening, February 10^th at the community building in White’s Park. The doors open at 6pm and the debate begins at 6:30pm. The forum is sponsored by the Anahuac Area Chamber of Commerce. The Seabreeze Beacon will be live streaming the form on our Facebook page.