Party Endorsements
Here in Texas we have (at least) two major problems at the polls.
There are “non-partisan” local elections.
Primaries are open.
Party endorsements, while a valuable tool, can also be misused. They offer a clear way to identify the most solid Constitutional Conservative candidate in a race, allowing us to unite our voting power in case of Democrats participating in the “wrong” primary. However, it's important to be aware of the potential for misuse.
The chief issue with Party Endorsements arises when there are only great choices in a race. It is my firm and unapologetic position that the Party abstains from making an endorsement where a race presents just this kind of dilemma. The party, as a whole, is far too disconnected from local politics in any area to make reasonable judgment calls about which conservative would be better for a particular local election; let the local Republicans tend to their own.
The party must refrain from interfering in local politics unless party members, precinct chairs, and delegates raise concerns about an elected official diverging from the Party's practices, policies, and principles. The Party's role is to bolster and amplify the people's voice, not to influence their selection. This selection, I believe strongly and wholeheartedly, that the people are better equipped to make than the Party.