AUSTIN—Texas Republicans will select a new party leader this month following the resignation of party chairwoman Tina Benkiser, who recently left the post to become a senior adviser to Gov. Rick Perry’s re-election campaign.
Party bylaws require a chairman to remain neutral in primary elections, but the two leading candidates to replace Benkiser are avid Perry supporters. Perry, the longest serving governor in Texas history, faces a primary challenge from Republican U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.
Announced candidates so far include Cathie Adams, head of the conservative Eagle Forum and a member of the Republican National Committee, and GOP activist Melinda Fredricks. Both are Perry backers. Also running for the unpaid post is El Paso native Mary-Yoly Moore.
Moore said Thursday she was “leaning toward” Perry but hadn’t decided for sure yet.
The election will be held at a special meeting of the State Republican Executive Committee on Oct. 24. Republican Party of Texas spokesman Bryan Preston said the eventual winner must refrain from any endorsements or advocacy during next year’s GOP primary races, including the race governor.
“The chairman presides over a party that is bound to be neutral in primary races. The party can’t take a side, so the chairman would have to abide by that,” Preston said. “They couldn’t go out and advocate.”
Fredricks has pledged to serve only as interim chairman through June 2010, when Republicans will select a permanent leader at their state party convention.
Party bylaws require a chairman to remain neutral in primary elections, but the two leading candidates to replace Benkiser are avid Perry supporters. Perry, the longest serving governor in Texas history, faces a primary challenge from Republican U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.
Announced candidates so far include Cathie Adams, head of the conservative Eagle Forum and a member of the Republican National Committee, and GOP activist Melinda Fredricks. Both are Perry backers. Also running for the unpaid post is El Paso native Mary-Yoly Moore.
Moore said Thursday she was “leaning toward” Perry but hadn’t decided for sure yet.
The election will be held at a special meeting of the State Republican Executive Committee on Oct. 24. Republican Party of Texas spokesman Bryan Preston said the eventual winner must refrain from any endorsements or advocacy during next year’s GOP primary races, including the race governor.
“The chairman presides over a party that is bound to be neutral in primary races. The party can’t take a side, so the chairman would have to abide by that,” Preston said. “They couldn’t go out and advocate.”
Fredricks has pledged to serve only as interim chairman through June 2010, when Republicans will select a permanent leader at their state party convention.