Texas GOP Chair Matt Rinaldi Not Seeking Reelection

Texas GOP chairman Matt Rinaldi (left) presides over procedures at the Republican Party of Texas Convention in Houston, Texas, on June 18, 2022. Darlene McCormick Sanchez/The Epoch Times

Republican Party of Texas Chair Matt Rinaldi, whose term expires in May, announced he will not seek reelection.

“After almost three years serving as Chairman, traveling the state, and spending many long nights on the road, it is time for me to focus on my obligations as a husband to my wife, Corley, and as a father to my six-year-old son, Rush,” he said in a statement on Friday. “They have both been supportive and very patient with me as I worked to create a better future for Texas.”

Mr. Rinaldi has served as Texas GOP party chair since 2021. He was elected to replace former chair Allen West, who resigned to launch an unsuccessful primary challenge against Gov. Greg Abbott. In 2022, the party reelected Mr. Rinaldi to a full term.

Mixed Reactions

His announcement, which comes as the Texas GOP continues its internal battle between the more conservative and moderate members of the party, got mixed reactions from Republicans.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton described Mr. Rinaldi as a “tremendous chair,” and state Rep. Nate Schatzline thanked him “for helping reform the party,” adding, “You will be difficult to replace.”

State Rep. Jeff Leach said he wished Mr. Rinaldi “all the best” but called his departure an opportunity to bring Republicans together.

“While I wish Matt all the best, make no mistake that this is a great opportunity, and welcomed opportunity for us to elevate and elect a leader who will be laser-focused on uniting all Republicans around our shared mission of defeating liberals up and down the ballot in every corner of the state,” Mr. Leach told The Texas Tribune.

Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa also took the announcement as an opportunity to lash out against Mr. Rinaldi’s support for former President Donald Trump, who recently clinched the Republican Party nomination for the 2024 presidential election.

“Matt Rinaldi’s legacy reflects the devolution of the Republican Party of Texas—plunging into the depths of MAGA extremism with no room for moderation or compromise,” said Mr. Hinojosa in a statement.

“Throughout his term, Rinaldi deepened his 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 productive healthcare decisions for Texans,” he continued. “We say to Matt Rinaldi, Good riddance.”

Mr. Rinaldi served in the state House from 2015 to 2019 and has been a closely aligned supporter of some of the state’s most powerful Republicans, including Mr. Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and Mr. Paxton.

He has been an outspoken critic of Republican House Speaker Dade Phelan, who has appointed Democrats to lead legislative committees, led the impeachment against Mr. Paxton, and failed to send a school choice bill to Mr. Abbott’s desk.

Ahead of the Texas primary, Mr. Rinaldi united with state leaders in backing Mr. Phelan’s challenger, David Covey. Mr. Phelan and Mr. Covey, separated by a narrow 131 votes in the March 5 primary, are headed to a runoff in May.

“Together, we have made the Republican Party of Texas and its millions of grassroots members more than just a cheerleading society for anyone with an ‘R’ next to their name,” Mr. Rinaldi said. “We made it an important and influential center of power for the grassroots politics in Texas.”

Vows to Help Find Successor

Mr. Rinaldi also vowed to help the party find his successor.

“As I continue to serve the remainder of my term, I will see to it that we elect a successor that will continue to make ours a party that serves grassroots Republicans, speaks clearly on policy matters, and while working with our GOP office holders, isn’t afraid to hold them accountable when necessary,” he said.

Later the same day, Abraham George announced he would run for the position being vacated by Mr. Rinaldi.

“I’m excited to announce my candidacy for @TexasGOP Chair,” Mr. George wrote on X. “As a former SREC member and County Chair, I’m ready to deliver on what our Party needs. I have a proven track record of raising funds and organizing the grassroots behind a unified message and agenda.”

The former Collin County Chair was defeated by incumbent Rep. Candy Noble by 5 percentage points in the March primary.

Mr. Rinaldi and Mr. Paxton, along with a number of other grassroots Republicans, lined up their endorsements for Mr. George shortly after his announcement.

“Today, I fully endorse Abraham George for State Party Chairman,” Mr. Paxton wrote on X. “Abraham is a principled conservative who served well as [an] SREC member and chairman of the Collin GOP. @abrahamgeorge was a strong fundraiser while uniting the Party behind our shared values. @MattRinaldiTX was a tremendous chair, and I trust Abraham George to live up to the standard Matt set for the @TexasGOP.”

Texas GOP Vice Chair Dana Myers is also running for the spot to lead the party.

The new party chair will be selected at the 2024 State Convention, which is set for May 23–25 in San Antonio.