By J.J. Smith. A two-time Rockwall County Republican Women’s Club president, who has served as a delegate to the last three Texas State Republican conventions, is seeking to become the new Chairman of the Rockwall County Republican Party.

Brenda Zielke, who has worked as the administrative manager of a cancer research center at UT Southwestern Medical Center for the past 14 years, hopes to replace outgoing Chairman and Fate Mayor Bill Broderick, who is stepping down.

She has competition in the March 2 primary election from Rowlett resident Paul Wilson, who currently serves on the Rockwall County Republican Party Executive Committee as a Precinct Chairman.

Zielke, who has been deeply involved since 2004 in Republican politics on the County, State and national level with her realtor husband, Howard, said she wants to reach out to every precinct within Rockwall County “to let constituents know they have a Republican Party that needs their participation, and in turn, will help equip them to be informed voters.”

“The Rockwall GOP should serve as the gateway of opportunity for all Republicans within Rockwall County to make a collective difference in the outcomes of every election. We want our voters to feel confident that when they go to cast their vote they have enough information to confidently make the right choices on the ballot.”

“What better way to provide this, than through the exceptional programs offered by the clubs within the Rockwall County GOP,” she said, referring to the Rockwall County Young Republicans, Women’s Club, Men’s Club and Lunch Bunch.

“I view it a responsibility and privilege of the Rockwall GOP to educate about the political process. Many within our ranks have never participated in the party system. Greater understanding of the process should yield greater participation in order for us to increase our presence at the polls and to develop talented grass roots leaders that will help get out the vote.”

A member of the National Federation of Republican Women and Texas Federation of Republican Women, Zielke was appointed as a National Elector in the 2008 Presidential election, casting a vote for GOP candidates John McCain and Sarah Palin in the National Electoral College representing Ralph Hall’s Congressional District.

Just appointed as the Women’s Club President for the second time, she first served in 2008. During that year she said “the club experienced record growth in membership, fund raising, and impact in the community through its scholarship program and special events.”

She is also the webmaster and designer for the County GOP and Women’s Club websites, plus program committee chair of the 2010 Reagan Day Dinner, coming Feb. 13 at the Hilton Bella Harbor Hotel in Rockwall.

Zielke said her motto is “a team approach leads to positive results.”  She said she surrounds herself with exceptional talent to achieve mutual political goals.

“It does, indeed, take a lot of talented people to run an effective GOP county party, extending from the County Chair, Precinct Chairs, and teams of Volunteers dedicated to serve,” she said.

“There are many experienced Republican leaders in Rockwall, but we need more!  A dynamic grass roots effort makes the difference.”

Zielke said she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, graduating summa cum laude, from Northwood University.

The Zielkes have two children, two grandsons and have lived in Rockwall for over 30 years. She said their family is “very focused on work, school, church, music, and outdoor sport activities.”

Their family owns a farm in Missouri, plus an Off-Road Park for families in Fannin County called Bois D”Arc Trails.