State Conventions Wrap-Up

by   T. C. Pinckney                                                                                                                                  Vol. III, No. 8, December 1990

Following is a summary of the results of other state conventions.

NC: Reelected their slate of moderate officers without opposition. The Budget Committee proposed a budget with two tracks much like the Virginia Plan, but the convention defeated it. The original budget contained $35,000 for the Baptist Joint Committee (BJC), but that item was eliminated.

SC: The conservative candidate for president won by about 200 votes out of almost 5,000 cast. This culminates several years of gradually increasing conservative strength. Designation of funds, rather than sending them to the Cooperative Program, was overwhelmingly defeated. Money for the BJC was also defeated. Funds for Furman University were escrowed in view of Furman's attempt to sever the state convention's control.

GA: Conservatives suffered a defeat in losing the presidency by 151 votes. Conservatives elected the first and third VPs, moderates the second and fourth VPs. Conservatives gained 15 places on the state executive committee.

LA: Conservatives swept Louisiana where they had won the presidency last year by just four votes. A strong pro-life resolution was passed.

AL: A theologically conservative middle-of-the-roader beat the conservative nominee by some 174 votes. A strong resolution supporting the CP was passed. Conservative pastor Rick Cagle was elected president of the Pastor's Conference.

TX: Baylor University has attempted to separate from state control. Convention voted to escrow the $6,000,000 a year Baylor receives from the state. Baylor supporters tried Wednesday afternoon to pass a supportive resolution: after initially passing by 173 votes, it was determined that one of the key points made against escrowing was incorrect, and on a revote the resolution failed 1966 to 1995.

MD: Conservatives soundly defeated 70% to 30%.

IN: Conservatives swept the convention.

KY: Money for the BJC was eliminated from the budget, but conservatives lost the presidential race 39% to 61% ... but that is perhaps the best conservatives have done there to date.

TN: Voted overwhelmingly against BJC funds. Moderates won all officers, the presidency by 652:490. A strong pro-life resolution passed. A conservative was elected Pastor's Conference president.

FL: Conservative Guy Sanders is the new president.

MS: Conservative reelected.

MO: An amendment to add $15,000 for the Baptist Joint Committee was defeated 711 to 500 on a ballot vote.

In summary: Conservatives are presidents of SC, FL, LA, OK, MS, CO, IN, and WV. Moderates hold GA, NC, VA, KY, TN, and MD. We find middle-of-the-roaders in AL, AR, MO, and TX. This is the best conservatives have done at the state level to date, though obviously we have quite a ways to go yet.