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Delegates to the Republican Party of Texas state convention in San Antonio next week will encounter a crowded field of candidates vying to replace retiring State Chairman Matt Rinaldi.
Thus far, six candidates have launched campaigns to replace Rinaldi as state chair, with more candidates possibly expected by the time the convention votes next Friday. The field had stuck firm at five candidates, but grew on Friday, as Travis County native Matt Mackowiak joined the race for party chair.
The candidates for state party chair presently are:
Dr. Dana Myers, a doctor and the incumbent vice chair of the Republican Party of Texas, from Houston
Weston Martinez, a businessman and former Texas Real Estate Commissioner, from San Antonio
Abraham George, a businessman and former Collin County Republican Party chairman, from Wylie
Ben Armenta, an entrepreneur, from Katy
Mike Garcia, an attorney and legislative expert, from Austin
Matt Mackowiak, a political consultant and incumbent Travis County Republican Party chairman, from Austin
Under the state party rules, the chair of the state party may be of any gender. However, the vice chair of the party — who will also be elected at the state convention — must be of the opposite gender from the state chair. A number of men and women have also launched campaigns for vice chair, but the final field for this race will largely depend on who wins the state chair race.
Whoever wins the election will replace Rinaldi after their election and will serve a two-year term, overseeing the operations of the Republican Party of Texas and leading meetings of the State Republican Executive Committee.