HOUSTON – Texas Republican Party Chairman Abraham George conceded defeat Friday in his bid for a second term, paving the way for the party’s vice chairwoman, D’Rinda Randall, to lead the party.
George, of Plano, spent the past two years supporting efforts to require Republican Party registration to vote in primaries and censure GOP officeholders who strayed from the party’s legislative priorities.
In a statement on social media, George said he would continue to stand “firmly for the conservative principles outlined in our platform” and urged Republicans to rally behind the party’s nominees.
“Now is the time to come together,” he said.
George’s supporters included Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican Senate nominee.
Attendance at the convention was sparse as Houston hosted FIFA World Cup matches, and at least one executive committee member complained about a party budget shortfall.
Randall, of Waxahachie, takes over as Republicans seek to maintain their dominance in Texas with Paxton and Gov. Greg Abbott atop the ticket, even as Democrats hope to make the state more competitive.