Matt Rinaldi will step down as Texas GOP chairman
Someone new will have to take the reins at the Republican Party of Texas after its current chairman announced Friday he'll step down from the post.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Someone new will have to take the reins at the Republican Party of Texas after its current chairman announced Friday he'll step down from the post.
Matt Rinaldi put out a statement on X sharing that he will not seek another term as chairman of the state party. The former state representative from Irving became the party's leader in July 2021 after Allen West resigned as chairman and unsuccessfully challenged Gov. Greg Abbott in the Republican gubernatorial primary in 2022.
"I will be forever grateful for the honor of serving the millions of Texas Republicans working to preserve a society that values faith, family, and liberty," Rinaldi said. "Together, we have made the Republican Party of Texas and its millions of grassroots members more than just a cheerleading section for anyone with an 'R' next to their name."
Regarding his future plans, Rinaldi wrote in his letter that he would like to focus on spending more time with his wife and six-year-old son.
He also said his successor will be chosen at the upcoming Republican State Convention, which will begin on May 23 in San Antonio.
Rinaldi announced Friday afternoon he's endorsing Abraham George to succeed him. George, who unsuccessfully challenged Texas Rep. Candy Noble in the GOP primary earlier this month, previously served as the Collin County GOP chair.
"I have a proven track record of raising funds and organizing the grassroots behind a unified message and agenda. Let's get to work," George wrote on X.
Rinaldi said of George, "He has a proven track record of fundraising and leadership as Collin County GOP Chair and will keep our state party one that wins elections, serves grassroots Republicans first, and leads on policy."
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also shared his preference in the race, posting on X that he's backing George to become the next chairman.
Another candidate for the party chairman is Dr. Dana Myers, who's a medical business consultant in Houston for a health law firm. She said in January she planned to challenge Rinaldi. She currently serves as the state party's vice chair.
Her campaign website for the chairman position said, "Dr. Dana Myers is running to be your next Republican Party of Texas Chair to strengthen our party, to unite in purpose the statewide grassroots and Republican organizations, and to build a lasting statewide infrastructure while growing membership."
In a post on X at the end of January, Myers criticized Rinaldi for not endorsing former President Donald Trump sooner.
"What’s truly disappointing is Matt’s focus on party division & willingness to ignore the grassroots," she wrote on X. "It’s time for a change!"
The Texas Tribune previously reported Myers had also been critical of the party’s ties to Defend Texas Liberty PAC, an embattled hard-right group that’s been tied to white supremacists.
Gilberto Hinojosa, the chair of the Texas Democratic Party, shared a statement Friday evening about Rinaldi stepping down.
"Matt Rinaldi’s legacy reflects the devolution of the Republican Party of Texas – plunging the party into the depths of MAGA extremism with no room for moderation or compromise," Hinojosa wrote. "Throughout his term, Rinaldi deepened ties with Nazi sympathizers, supported expelled Rep. Bryan Slaton, and championed Ken Paxton’s crimes – all while leading the charge to defund public education, curtail voting rights, and restrict reproductive healthcare decisions for Texans. Now, Matt Rinaldi can cozy up to Farris Wilks and Nick Fuentes without facing public scrutiny. We say to Matt Rinaldi: Good riddance."