Former U.S. Rep. Allen West/Photo by U.S. House of Representatives

Former Texas Republican Party Chairman Allen West launched his campaign to be the next leader of the Dallas County GOP on Thursday.

West filed to run for Dallas County Republican chair on Thursday, challenging incumbent Jennifer Stoddard-Hajdu. Thus far, only West and Stoddard-Hajdu are running for the office in the March 5, 2024, Republican primary election.

A former Florida congressman, West was elected as chairman of the Republican Party of Texas in 2020, defeating incumbent James Dickey. West resigned as party chairman in 2021, launching a bid to challenge Gov. Greg Abbott in the primary election. West placed second in the primary election and was replaced as RPT chair by former State Rep. Matt Rinaldi.

In a statement, Stoddard-Hajdu criticized West and questioned why he was joining the race.

“I am not really sure why Mr. West wants to run for Dallas GOP Chair,” Stoddard-Hajdu said in a statement (via Patrick Svitek). “He did not serve his entire term as State Party Chair, leaving early despite promises not to, to run a failed gubernatorial bid.”

Thus far, West has made no posts to social media regarding his candidacy for the office.