Join East Texans for Liberty for a special evening as we celebrate the people who serve, lead, and make a difference in our East Texas communities.

STARS OF TEXAS GALA 2026

Honoring Excellence Across East Texas
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Gilmer Civic Center

• VIP Red Carpet Reception — 5:30 PM
• Dinner & Program — 6:30 PM

This year’s Gala will feature State Representative and House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Cody Harris as our keynote speaker, along with the presentation of the 2026 Stars of Texas Awards honoring exceptional East Texans.

Guests will enjoy an elegant evening featuring:

• Red Carpet
• VIP Reception with champagne & hors d’oeuvres
• Prime Rib Dinner
• Cash Bar
• Stars of Texas Awards
• Keynote Address
• Live Auction benefiting East Texans for Liberty

From community servants and public officials to rising leaders and dedicated volunteers, this evening recognizes the people whose commitment helps make East Texas such a special place to call home.

Tickets and sponsorships are available now with Early Bird prices through September 10 or Venmo us at @Stacy-McMahan-1
DUE TO HIGH DEMAND, WE HAVE EXTENDED EARLY BIRD PRICING THROUGH SEPTEMBER 10!

Come celebrate with us for an unforgettable evening of fellowship, recognition, and East Texas pride.

Mark your calendars for our October 13 meeting as East Texans for Liberty welcomes representatives from the Texas Public Policy Foundation for an informative presentation on Islamist radicals and what Texas can do to push back.

The Texas Public Policy Foundation is a Texas-based public policy research organization that provides legal research, policy analysis, and legislative expertise to help lawmakers address important issues affecting our state.

This presentation will explore how Islamist radicals seek to subvert Texas laws, weaken institutions, and the legal framework in place to protect the constitutional rights and freedoms of Texans.

We hope you’ll join us for this timely and educational discussion.

East Texans for Liberty is pleased to welcome you to our November 10th program featuring Kason Huddleston.

Kason was proudly endorsed by East Texans for Liberty during the Republican primary, and we continue to support him as he faces the Democrat in this November’s general election.

Many people ask, “What does a member of the Texas State Board of Education actually do?” We thought we’d provide a little background.

Members of the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) are elected officials responsible for setting statewide education policy for Texas public schools. Their role is to establish policy—not to manage the day-to-day operations of schools.

Among their primary responsibilities, SBOE members:

*  Adopt the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) curriculum standards.
*  Approve instructional materials for Texas classrooms.
*  Establish graduation requirements.
*  Oversee the Permanent School Fund.
*  Review charter school proposals.
*  Adopt education rules and long-range plans.
*  Hold public meetings and hear input from Texans.

In short, the State Board of Education helps determine what is taught, which instructional materials are approved, what students must learn to graduate, and how the Permanent School Fund is managed. 

Join us on Tuesday, November 10, at 6:30 p.m. for what we believe will be an informative and engaging evening with Kason Huddleston, who we are confident will be your next State Board of Education member.

Bring your questions and join us for an entertaining, informative discussion about the future of education in Texas.

Join us as we wrap up an incredible 2026 with our East Texans for Liberty Christmas Party on Tuesday, December 8, at 6:30 p.m.

This year’s celebration will not include a gift exchange. Instead, we’re inviting everyone to bring a favorite dish, side, or dessert to share as we enjoy a potluck-style meal and fellowship before the Christmas holidays.

Tuesday, December 8
6:30 p.m.
Halo Building
6761 State Highway 154 West
Gilmer, Texas

We hope you’ll join us as we celebrate the season, enjoy great food, and close out another wonderful year together. Merry Christmas!