HOUSTON—Thousands of Tea Party supporters who rallied Saturday at Sam Houston Race Park say their focus was on the voters - not the candidates - in the upcoming election.
"It’s grassroots people speaking their minds and relieving their frustrations." said Tea Party supporter Bill Hughes.
The Tea Party is a grassroots movement involving different people from different political backgrounds who are looking for less government involvement and lower taxes.
"You don’t have to belong to a party to belong to the Tea Party," said Hughes.
James Ives, president of the Fort Bend County Tea Party Society, and his wife Melissa attended the rally Saturday to reach out to voters.
"Today is about a reminder that we as Americans are privileged to have the right to vote." Melissa Ives said.
They encouraged anyone from any political party to simply vote.
They said they’re not politically aligned with any gubernatorial candidates in this year’s election.
However, State Representative Debbie Riddle, a staunch supporter of gun rights and border protection, was well received by the crowd.
The support was not because Riddles a Republican, but because the Tea Party movement is about protecting the laws of the U.S. Constitution.
"We’re going to have to teach the children today you have to get involved, its critical," said James Ives. "The whole system was designed for the people to be involved and if we’re not, special interests will naturally take over."
