Montgomery County Chairman Bryan Christ Wins Award

Commentary: Reagan Reed

In recognition of his outstanding service to the GOP, Montgomery County Republican Party Chairman Bryan Christ was given the Chairman’s Award by the Texas Republican County Chairmen’s Association at a recent meeting.

The “Warrior” award commends Christ for, “Standing in the breach and winning battles with courage, civility, and grace.” Governor Greg Abbott was present at the meeting.

“Proud of Bryan Christ for getting the Chairman’s Award for the State of Texas by the Texas Republican County Chair Association! Great end to his birthday,” Christ’s wife Kristin, a local political consultant, posted on Facebook.

“Congratulations, Bryan! You certainly deserve the honor,” commented Precinct 72 Chair Ann Kate.

“Congratulations,” wrote Merry Wise. “You two are a great young couple making a huge difference for the better in our world.”

Christ has faced a tumultuous tenure since succeeding longtime Chairman Dr. Wally Wilkerson. In recent years the party has been riven by factional warfare over bylaws and bank accounts. Even in the most contentious meetings, Christ never loses his calm.

Have I agreed with every decision he’s made as chairman? No. But it’s a tough job, and right now I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. I believe Christ is fundamentally a good man doing this genuinely for the right reasons, and has conducted himself with dignity and humility. I also believe many of the criticisms of him have been unfair.

Congratulations, Chairman Christ, and thank you for your service to our community and to the Republican Party. In light of this award, I’m reminded of the famous quote from Theodore Roosevelt:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”