Rotary Club of Mineral Wells' second meeting of the year Wednesday had a great turnout, a delicious lunch and a special visitor in guest speaker Dr. Glenn Rogers, who after Nov. 3 will have the title of state representative-elect.
 
Out-funded and facing a huge political battle against Empower Texans-figurehead Jon Francis, Rogers finished second to Francis by about 700 votes in the eight-county District 60 race in the March Republican primary to advance to a COVID-delayed runoff.
 
Rogers may have been out-spent more than 2-1 by the Cisco billionaires and millionaires who pumped some $1.5 million into the Francis campaign, but he was not outworked and it paid off in July when Rogers won the high-profile race by nearly the same 700 votes. Palo Pinto County's strong turnout and support helped carry the fifth-generation Palo Pinto Countian to the win.
 
“We can't be bought,” was Rogers' response to a question asking him what he took away from the hard-fought campaign that initially included Granbury attorney Kellye Sorrelle and former Mineral Wells mayor Christopher Perricone.

With Strawn's Jeff Hinkson leading his first political campaign and logistics and publicity support from Cayler Banks and Judson Meeks, both of Mineral Wells, Rogers won and will become the first person from Palo Pinto County to hold a legislative seat since 1981 when Mineral Wells native Tom Creighton ended his 20-year career serving as a state senator.

Rogers on Wednesday recapped the race, giving thanks to others who helped and prayed. He discussed some issues he hopes to address when he takes his legislative seat in January, and wonders what the session will be and look like with the pandemic still in play. Rogers said being a freshman legislator will help in the aspect that he won't be the only one trying to figure his way around whatever restrictions and guidelines are put in place.

We thank Dr. Rogers for coming and speaking to the club, with about 25 people attending Wednesday's meeting in Southside Church of Christ's spacious fellowship featuring lunch once again catered by Sadie Oshi Harrison of Sadie's Eats.

We look forward to next week's guest speaker Rhett Warren to update us on all of the trails he has been working, and they are many. We meet at noon, and the lunch menu options will come out Friday. Rotary Club meetings are for members, invited guests and prospective members.