Texas Republican Executive Committee Picks Dickey as Chairman by One Vote

TEXAS -- Members of the State Republican Executive Committee narrowly chose Travis County GOP Chairman James Dickey over Houston businessman Rick Figueroa to lead the Texas Republican Party during a meeting in Austin.  Dickey received 32 votes Saturday to Figueroa’s 31. 

Dickey said in a statement, “I am truly honored to have been elected by the State Republican Executive Committee today as your new Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas.  Now that the election is over, I am asking SREC members and Texas Republicans to join me in unifying our Party and rally behind our conservative principles. “

Dickey will finish the term Tom Mechler of Amarillo was serving. Mechler stepped down last month for personal reasons.  His term ends during the 2018 Republican Party of Texas Convention, where delegates will elect a new chairman.  Dickey is expected to run for chairman during the convention's election.

Dickey says unifying Texas Republicans is a priority, “I thank Rick Figueroa for his efforts to help the party and I look forward to working with him to unify and grow the party. The work continues immediately to Keep Texas Red and prepare for a successful midterm election in 2018.”

Outgoing Chairman Mechler said in his resignation letter that unifying the party which holds every statewide elected office in Texas is the key to success, “The party needs to work harder than ever to come together.  A party that is fractured by anger and backbiting is a party that will not succeed.” 

Tom Green County Republican Party Chairman Jeff Betty expects an easy transition.  In an interview last month, Betty told LIVE! that the timing for a change in leadership was right, “This is probably the best time for Mechler to step down.”  Betty said, “The Party is so strong and the transition will be very smooth.”