WHEREAS, the Republican Party of Texas lost our beloved colleague and dear friend Elizabeth Grace Petersen on September 26, 2023; and
WHEREAS, Grace was a daughter of God with a deep faith for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, served in leadership in her church’s women’s Bible study and training, youth department, and technology team, and was always willing to pray with anyone in need; and
WHEREAS, Grace was the mother to four beautiful children and a son-in-law who were the light of her life – Faith and her husband Wesley, Elijah, Hope, and Noah – whom she proudly homeschooled and educated in Christian, Conservative, American principles and whom she included in campaign activities and the legislative process; and
WHEREAS, Grace was a tireless conservative activist in the Republican Party, dedicated to her conservative values of life, family, and freedom; and
WHEREAS, Grace honorably served as the elected member of the State Republican Executive Committee (SREC) from Senate District 20 from 2020 until her passing; and
WHEREAS, while on the SREC, Grace shared her talents with the Convention Planning Committee as its Vice Chair, with the Rules Committee, and with the Election Integrity Committee; and
WHEREAS, Grace was a delegate to the Republican Party of Texas Conventions in 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022, served on the State Convention Rules Committee in 2022, and was the Chair of the Senate District 20 Caucus in 2020; and
WHEREAS, Grace managed and volunteered on multiple campaigns at the local, state, and national levels, served as outreach coordinator for Dinesh D’Souza’s documentary film in 2016, and worked in numerous roles in the Mighty American Strike Force and Mighty Texas Strike Force in trips to New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Georgia, and throughout the Lone Star State; and
WHEREAS, Grace served as a valuable and respected member of three clubs in the Texas Federation of Republican Women: as the membership chair of the Midland County Republican Women, as a founding member of Alice King Republican Women, and as an active member of Nueces County Republican Women; and
WHEREAS, Grace ran for County Commissioner in Midland County in 2016, was a member of the Midland Young Republicans, and then upon moving to South Texas, became active in the Jim Wells County Republican Party, lending her skills as its Treasurer, and served as Vice President of the South Texas Young Republicans; and
WHEREAS, Grace possessed a remarkable ability to inspire and lead by example, and lived her life by the principles of abundant kindness, sincere compassion, and selfless service; and
WHEREAS, Grace was a fierce friend with a deep faith, and her devotion to be a godly woman was displayed in everything she did; and
WHEREAS, Grace was soft and kind, yet fierce as a lion when standing up for her beliefs, with a pioneering spirit and loving personality that will continue to inspire and encourage her children and those who were close to her for many years to come; now
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the State Republican Executive Committee recognizes the significant contributions of Elizabeth Grace Petersen to the Republican Party of Texas and to our country as a whole; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Republican Party of Texas expresses our deepest condolences to Elizabeth Grace Petersen’s children and entire family, to her dear friends throughout Texas, and to the countless people who were privileged to know, learn from, and be motivated by Grace in this life: may the Lord bless her children and keep them in the strong faith of their mother; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that Grace’s absence will be felt acutely at our upcoming meetings and conventions: we would be proud to welcome her children if they ever choose to follow in their mother’s footsteps and participate in any aspect of the Republican Party of Texas.
