Political Action - Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why is CLEAT so political compared to other law enforcement groups?

A. CLEAT is political because that is where it all starts. Whether you like it or not, its politics that determines your training, licensing, retirement, and legal rights. CLEAT has grown increasingly political over the years because it is politics and government that decide whether or not you can join an association or have an attorney represent you. CLEAT was the one of the first law enforcement organizations in America to hire a political professional to represent your interests in the Capitol, during the campaign season as well as on the ground during local referendums and elections.

Q. How do I get involved?

A. CLEAT wants you to join your local association if there is one available and work through your local organization to become involved in politics. However, you are always welcome to call us, come to Austin for a visit and work with us in the Capitol.

Q. How does CLEAT decide what goes into its legislative agenda?

A. CLEAT is run as a democracy in this regard. We look first to our local affiliates for issues that matter to the rank and file. Next, we are available at our annual convention during seminars and Q&A sessions for members to bring us ideas. In even-numbered years CLEAT Political & Legislative Director Charley Wilkison holds a pre-legislative session workshop where all local associations and all members are invited to participate in a round table, brainstorming session to present ideas for possible pieces of legislation. In odd-numbered legislative years CLEAT hosts a one-day Legislative Lobby Blitz and an evening reception for legislators and members. This is another tool for us to gain more insight into what members need and want from the legislative session. Finally, Charley makes himself available to all members for input and ideas by phone or e-mail, Charley.Wilkison@cleat.net

Q. How do the endorsements work?

A. Political leaders love our endorsement. Next to babies, law enforcement officers are one of the most sought after political endorsements in Texas. We work hard to make sure that the CLEAT endorsement actually means something and that it comes honestly and fairly to those who deserve it without any question about the integrity of the endorsement.

CLEAT is a Bipartisan organization and we first turn to our local associations for legislative endorsements. CLEAT encourages local involvement in politics. In as many cases as possible we endorse alongside our local associations. Since we do lobby the legislature and are in the Capitol working with legislators we will share any problems that might develop around a particular member of the legislature with the local from his or her geographic region. CLEAT generally endorses incumbents unless there is a problem with a voting record or a political problem. Finally, we look at the candidate, the issues, the district and try to make a determination about whether the candidates are electable. CLEAT prides itself on communication with its locals so that everyone is on the same page, politically speaking.

Q. What role does CLEAT PAC play in the overall political strategy?

A. CLEAT PAC goes hand in hand with the endorsement process. Because we represent an occupation that will never have millions of PAC dollars to contribute to political campaigns CLEAT PAC is vital to our success because the PAC dollars that you contribute individually or through your local go to help win elections in parts of the state where there often is not a viable association with dollars to contribute. As CLEAT endorses candidates carefully, we contribute PAC contributions even more carefully to make our hard earned contributions stretch as far as possible and make a difference in races and campaigns that have the potential to impact your professional life.