After stepping into the role of chairman of the Republican Party of Texas in 2021 and being unanimously re-elected in 2022, Matt Rinaldi has announced he will not seek another term.
In his announcement, Rinaldi said he is stepping away to focus on being a husband and father.
He said he initially ran for the chairmanship to grow the Texas GOP and its influence, and to raise the “voice of grassroots Republicans.”
“I am happy to report we were successful on all accounts,” Rinaldi writes.
“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. 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. We made it an important and influential center of power for the grassroots in Texas politics.”
Rinaldi also served as a member of the Texas House between 2015 and 2019, representing House District 115.
There are currently four individuals now in the running to take the helm of the Texas GOP: RPT Vice Chair Dana Myers, former Collin County GOP chair Abraham George, Weston Martinez, and Ben Armenta.
Myers made her announcement back in January to initially challenge Rinaldi’s chairmanship, saying it is “time for a positive change.”
George ran unsuccessfully this year against Rep. Candy Noble (R-Lucas) in the Republican primary to represent House District 89.
Rinaldi endorsed George as his successor minutes after he announced he would not seek re-election, saying, “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.”
Attorney General Ken Paxton also endorsed George’s run for Texas GOP chairman.
Martinez was the Texas Real Estate Commissioner from 2010 to 2017 and previously ran in the 2022 Republican primary for Texas land commissioner.
Armenta is a businessman from Houston and also previously ran for land commissioner in 2022.
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