Pictured at the Calhoun County Republican Club March meeting, left to right: Russell Cain, Calhoun County Republican Party Chairman; Rita Poimbeauf, President of the Republican Club; and Justice of the Texas Supreme Court, Eva Guzman.
Near the door at the Calhoun County Republican Club meeting, I nervously awaited the arrival of Justice Eva Guzman and her husband, Houston Police Sergeant Antonio Ray Guzman. Although the club has had wonderful speakers who hold roles of importance in our government, we had never been graced with the presence of a Texas Supreme Court Justice before. I had conjured up all kinds of things to worry about.
Soon, the attractive couple entered quietly with genuine smiles and met the members of our club with an air of easy confidence. Gone were my concerns because the Justice before us who could have been stuffy, arrogant or aloof was instead warm, gracious and witty.
She talked only a bit about herself and instead spoke of her family and especially of her admiration for her parents who immigrated from Mexico to make a good life for them and the family they planned to have. Justice Guzman was raised along with six siblings with her parents’ strong family values of faith, family and freedom. It was natural that she grew up Republican and she exuded the wisdom and tenacity as a young attorney that drew notice from Governor Perry who appointed her to fill an unexpired term on the Texas Supreme Court in 2009. It was not long before she had to run for election to hold her place on the court and that was a very foreign idea to her. She looked around at our group and smiled fondly as she recalled aloud how Republican Women groups embraced her and helped her through her first campaign. Then I knew why she traveled over two hours after work to meet with our small group – she respects us for what we do. The feeling is mutual.
In business matters, President Rita Poimbeauf announced that the Calhoun County Republican Club raised funds to award three scholarships to deserving students of Calhoun County.
