The Tea Party played a big role in this year's national and state elections. Now, one Texas lawmaker hopes to strengthen the loosely structured group's voice at the Texas Capitol. In a release today, Tea Party caucus chair Sen. Dan Patrick (R-Houston) announced the first 49 members of the caucus. Sen. Patrick said he wants the caucus to keep the power the party showed at the polls going during the 2011 legislative session.
"The Tea Party movement is the most important political movement of our life time. The voice of this group must be heard like never before inside the walls of the capitol. This last election proved that real political power is not found in Austin. It's found in the homes, farms, and businesses across our great state."
Only one Central Texas lawmaker has joined the caucus so far: Republican Representative-elect Jason Isaac of Hays County.
