A federal judge has ruled the city of Houston must allow the Texas state Republican Party the opportunity to hold an in-person convention at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
The state GOP sued the city after Mayor Sylvester Turner canceled the convention last week over coronvirus concerns. The party is claiming breach of contract and seeking more than a million dollars if the event doesn't proceed. Turner says pandemic concerns prompted the cancellation, but the GOP points out he allowed large protests without interference.
A judge had earlier denied a restraining order, forcing the GOP to begin their convention virtually and not in-person. Judge Lynn Hughes, of the Southern District of Texas, ruled Friday afternoon the event could be held in-person, but party officials determined it would be best to continue to hold the convention online.
“We applaud Judge Hughes for affirming the position the RPT took in our original lawsuit, making clear that Mayor Turner cannot use pretext to infringe our right to in-person Convention. “I hope this ruling sets a precedent for other state and local Republican parties and organizations who come against a bully Democrat mayor’s malicious shutdown," said Texas Republican Party Chairman James Dickey.