June 24, 2015 5:00 PM

After 20 years working together, Blakemore and Hotze split up

All on good terms, it seems; Hotze and Blakemore wish each other the best; Jeff Yates to direct the Conservative Republicans of Texas

The political action committee funded by firebrand social conservative and top gay marriage foe Dr. Steve Hotze will no longer be run by veteran Houston GOP strategist Allen Blakemore, it was announced on Wednesday.

The Conservative Republicans of Texas PAC will now be under the direction of Jeff Yates, who served as Executive Director of the Harris County Republican Party for about six years. More recently, Yates has been the president of his own political consulting firm, The Yates Company.

“For the past 19 years, Allen Blakemore has directed the growth and the rise in influence of CRT as the pre-eminent Republican PAC in Texas,” Hotze said. “The impact of what he has helped CRT achieve will continue to be felt for years to come. Allen Blakemore has been a trusted friend and ally. My prayer is for his continued success in all his future endeavors.”

By Scott Braddock