The Retiring Head of the Texas GOP Inflamed a Party Civil War That Will Outlive His Tenure

Most successful political leaders try to expand their party’s appeal. Across the country, many Republicans have concluded that nominating extreme far-right candidates gets in the way of that goal. But in Texas, where the Republican Party has maintained a thirty-year dominance of statewide races, the party, under the direction of chairman Matt Rinaldi, has concluded that its best path forward is continuing to march further rightward. Nearly a dozen candidates backed by members of the far right prevailed in the March primary over conservative incumbents, with many others forcing their opponents into runoffs, validating the chairman’s plan. Soon, however, Rinaldi won’t helm the Texas GOP. On Friday, the surly Dallas lawyer abruptly announced that he would not seek reelection, ending his three-year tenure as chairman. Delegates…

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