Houston Rodeo reminds volunteers of non-political stance after some spread 'Let's Go Brandon' message

Sandra Puente usually skims through the daily emails that RodeoHouston officials send to volunteers to prepare for her next shift. But on Tuesday, she was glad she read one particular email from beginning to end. It was a reminder from officials about the nonprofit organization's policy forbidding political and discriminatory practices after receiving complaints of "Let's Go Brandon" messages spread from some volunteers. Puente shared a screenshot of the email message with the Chronicle. "We received complaints from fellow committeemen regarding Show representatives who are wearing 'Let's Go Brandon' and other messages on clothing and lanyards," the message said. "These political messages are not allowed according to our policies."

The phrase "Let's Go Brandon" started when race car driver Brandon Brown won his first NASCAR Xfinity Series race and was being interviewed by NBC reporter Kelli Stavast. In the background, some in the crowd chanted a vulgar anti-Biden message, but Stavast said the crowd was chanting "Let's go, Brandon!" in her broadcast. Although it remains unclear if Stavast misheard the crowd's actual words or if she purposely tried to change the message, the phrase caught wind in conservative right-wing circles and then made its way onto the House Floor from a Florida Republican. uente recalls someone handing out stickers with the divisive message during the Rodeo's Jr. Cook-off Contest held on opening weekend, but didn’t complain because she wasn't sure whether they were a volunteer or a member of the public. However, if she sees it happening again she plans to report it directly to her club chairman. "I’m glad they said something," said Puente, who has volunteered for the last 10 years and is a member of the corral club committee. Even as a local activist in the Democratic party who has worked in politics for candidates and elected officials, Puente said Rodeo is not the time or place for politics.