Abraham George, chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, was ousted by Vice Chairwoman D’rinda Randall at the state’s GOP convention on Friday.
The leadership change dealt a blow to Republicans allied with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who won the Republican primary runoff for the Senate last month.
Notably, Paxton backed the Indian-American businessman when he ran for the Texas House in 2024. George was ultimately defeated in the Republican primary election for that race, but he retained Paxton’s support as he pivoted to the Texas GOP leadership role.
Paxton endorsed the incumbent chairman again ahead of the delegate vote at the Texas Republican Party Convention, but it proved futile. Randall was the overwhelming favorite, according to the vote tally.
Randall chose David Covey, a right-wing activist who served on the state party’s governing board and lost to Texas Republican state Rep. Dade Phelan in 2024, as her pick for vice chairman. Covey previously ran for party chairman in 2021, but he was bested by former Texas Republican state Rep. Matt Rinaldi.
George, whose two-year term has come to a close, conceded the race to his successor and her running mate.
“While this race has come to an end, our mission continues,” George said on X. “Now is the time to come together, unite behind our Republican nominees, support the entire Republican ticket in November, advance our legislative priorities in the next session, and continue standing firmly for the conservative principles outlined in our platform.”
“I am grateful to everyone who supported our campaign,” he added, “and I remain committed to serving our party and fighting for the values that make Texas strong.”
The Washington Examiner contacted Paxton’s campaign for comment on George’s defeat in the reelection.
As the midterm elections began this year, George worked with Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) on party unity. Abbott remained neutral in the Texas GOP chairman race.
Paxton and Abbott both attended the Texas Republican activists’ convention, but Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) skipped the event after he lost to Paxton in the Senate race on May 26. Paxton is set to face Texas Democratic state Rep. James Talarico for Cornyn’s seat in November.
Matt Mackowiak, a longtime Texas GOP operative who worked on Cornyn’s reelection campaign, said George was served “a historic landslide loss for a state chair incumbent.”
Randall and Covey prepare to assume their respective roles as the 2026 election cycle progresses. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, who is the first sitting speaker to address the convention, congratulated the two on their nominations and thanked George for his leadership over the past two years.
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“Texas Republicans are energized and ready for the work ahead,” Burrows wrote on social media. “As we prepare for November and beyond, I look forward to working together to strengthen our party and advance the conservative principles Texans value.”
“I also want to thank Chairman [George] on his service to the Republican Party and the State of Texas,” he continued. “His dedication and leadership have helped advance the conservative movement across Texas, and I am grateful for his contributions.”