An Interview With RPT Chairman Matt Rinaldi
The Republican Party’s policy role, the danger of allowing a government and candidate-led takeover of the party, closing the Primary so Democrats are unable to choose our Republican candidates, and what we need to do in the future.
May 10, 2024
We strongly recommend all voters watch this video, especially those who were elected as delegates and alternates to the upcoming Texas GOP Convention.
The entire video is worth your time to watch in full. Here are a few highlights:
Who Defines the Party?
Chairman Rinaldi explains the danger of allowing a government and candidate-led takeover of the Republican Party of Texas:
“Who sets the principles that define what a political party is? Is it the candidates or is it the party? The political party focuses generally on actual principles and values like you find in the platform. When the candidates set those principles, it’s either based on monied interests, special interest groups that fund their campaigns, or just personal issues between candidates where you have these campaigns now that focus not on policy but just personal attacks or personalities.”
The Importance of Closed Primaries
The video explains that closed Primaries would prevent Democrat voters from voting in Republican Primaries to choose the most left-leaning candidates to go up against their Democrat candidates in the General Election. This is an issue that must be fought by the Republican Party of Texas, making the election of our new Party Chairman of paramount importance at the upcoming Texas GOP Convention.
Candidates Mike Garcia and Abraham George have both stated they are in favor of closed Primaries. At this point, the other three candidates have not said that they would support closed Primaries. “To me, if I’m a convention delegate, that’s a deal breaker if you won’t come out in favor of that,” said Chairman Rinaldi.
The Influence of Liberal and Moderate Republican Donors
Chairman Rinaldi also explains how liberal and moderate Republican donors try to control the Republican Party of Texas by pressuring the chairman to do what they demand or they will withhold funds.
“If the party isn’t willing to use its leverage when someone like Speaker Phelan goes to war with the party and Republican voters, they’re going to get walked over,” he said. “So now, we’ve shown we’re willing to use that leverage. In the future, hopefully the next Speaker engages us on legislation, on policy, on the details of that policy, and we work through it just like we did with Tom [Oliverson] on his bill to ban child gender modification, which was a GOP priority, and as we have been doing with Dan Patrick for so long.”
The Importance of the Detailed Party Platform
“People don’t understand how extraordinary it is that the Republican Party of Texas is supporting principles in the Party Platform,” Chairman Rinaldi later explains. “This isn’t done in other states and many states are beginning to use Texas as a model.”
Look for buzzwords from those at the State Convention who say, “We have to go back to basics,” or “We have to get back to winning elections” or “We don’t need a detailed Party Platform” or “We need to all get along.” We’re winning elections for the grassroots, as was shown in the most recent Primary. These buzzwords are a sign that the person doesn’t want to empower the grassroots but wants to cater to special interests.
Get Involved
The party doesn’t work without We the People. If you are an elected delegate or alternate to the upcoming Texas GOP Convention, please watch this video to prepare for and understand the importance of your votes at the convention.
Montgomery County Republicans, please help your local party remain focused on the people by getting involved in defending our freedoms!