Thomas Purdy

The National Log Cabin Republicans announced Friday that local Dallas chapter President Thomas Purdy would join its Board of Directors.

“Thomas has excelled as president of the Dallas Log Cabin Republicans for the past year, and we welcome his voice representing the heart of Texas and red state America,” the national organization said in a statement.

The national group de-chartered the old Dallas chapter last year and Purdy, who had served on the local board, was installed as president when the new local chapter reformed at the beginning of this year.

Purdy told Instant Tea he’s proud for the opportunity to serve, writing that his role on the national board will consist of setting long-term strategies and sharing the accountability in achieving them.

He wrote that he hopes gaining experience on the board will make “me a smarter, better leader for our members in Dallas and more effective in advancing the issues of equality that we all believe in.”

“While I am very proud to have been asked to serve on Log Cabin Republicans national Board of Directors, the greater source of pride for me is to just be part of an organization that, while not always widely known, has had a tremendous track record of success in the fight for equality for LGBT Americans,” he wrote. “As a national organization, Log Cabin was instrumental in the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell by challenging the policy in court and working for its demise on Capitol Hill.

“On state and local levels, Log Cabin’s Chapters are also at the tip of the spear. LCR New York was part of a coalition of allies that worked to make marriage equality a reality for all citizens of that state. They were the only partisan organization in the coalition able to lobby Republicans as Republicans and make the successful conservative case for the freedom to marry.

“And here in Dallas, our Chapter has made tremendous inroads with the Republican Party and we are making a difference by supporting openly LGBT and pro-equality Republican allies seeking elected office. We do not-and must not ever-rest on our laurels, though. The fight for equality continues and I am thankful to have the opportunity to sit on the Board and, as a result, be able to stand in the ring.”

The full press release is below.

Log Cabin Republicans National Board Continues to Grow

(Washington, DC) – The Log Cabin Republicans have elected Washington, DC communications strategist Sarah Longwell as National Secretary and have added Dallas, TX business consultant Thomas Purdy to the Board of Directors.

“As Log Cabin Republicans positions itself during this critical election cycle we are fortunate to have Sarah and Thomas as leaders of the organization,” said R. Clarke Cooper, Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director. “Sarah has been critical to strengthening Log Cabin’s position in Washington and crafting a strategy to advance our efforts for years to come. Thomas has excelled as president of the Dallas Log Cabin Republicans for the past year, and we welcome his voice representing the heart of Texas and red state America. These are challenging times and our national board of directors is ready to fight and win.”

Longwell is the Vice President of Communications for Berman and Company, a communications firm in Washington, D.C. that aggressively defends free market principles. She has delivered expert testimony before numerous state legislatures, regularly appears in the national media and is quoted in hundreds of news stories each year. Longwell frequently appears on the opinion pages of top tier newspapers including The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Washington Post, and The Los Angeles Times.

Purdy, a graduate of Texas A&M University, has served in various roles in the financial sector and, most recently, within the travel industry as an organizational development consultant. He is currently contracted with one of the nation’s largest airlines supporting change management efforts on company-wide projects and other large-scale initiatives. Purdy has led the Dallas Log Cabin Republicans since 2011, playing a critical role in supporting openly LGBT and pro-equality Republican allies seeking elected office.