Randall County Republicans elected Kelly Giles as the county’s new party chair on Tuesday night.

During a meeting at the Republican Party offices in Randall County, precinct chairs voted to elect Giles as the new county chairman. Giles, a rancher from the Canyon area, defeated Cathy Welch, another precinct chair, for the position.

Precinct chairs voted during a closed session to elect Giles after Giles and Welch were the only two candidates nominated for the position. After exiting closed session, Giles was handed the county party’s gavel and outlined his plans for the county party. Giles also requested the keys to the office from Vice Chair Travis Hayes.

With Giles’ election, he will serve as county chair until the current term ends next spring. Giles will be eligible to run for a full term as county chair in the Republican primary election scheduled for next March.