Challenger Angela Paxton Pitched for Post
Beats State Chair Who Husband Supported
Capitol Inside
June 12, 2026
HOUSTON - In the first major test of Ken Paxton's clout as the U.S. Senate nominee in Texas, delegates at the Texas GOP Convention rejected state Chair Abraham George's bid for a new term on Friday when D'rinda Randall appeared poised to take the leadership post instead.
Russell - a Waxahachie resident who's served under George as the state party's vice-chair - emerged as the heir apparent to the state party organization's top job after George's elimination during caucus votes on the chair's race.
Paxton, the state attorney general, had been backing George, who the Republicans' Senate contender recommended again on Friday in a social media post. Paxton seized the nomination when he knocked U.S. Senate John Cornyn out in a primary runoff late last month.
But the Senate contender's estranged wife - State Senator Angela Paxton of McKinney - endorsed Randall on Friday morning. The Texas AG's spouse filed for divorce last year on biblical grounds stemming from alleged affairs. The couple reportedly reached a deal on a settlement in the past week or so.
Paxton the senator made a pitch for Randall at the Senate District 8 caucus meeting today.
Republicans at the convention selected Randall's running mate David Covey for the vice-chair's position. Covey is a southeast Texas Republican who challenged then-House Speaker Dade Phelan in his home district where the challenger was eliminated in a primary runoff in 2024.
Covey had Ken Paxton, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and President Donald Trump in his corner for the unsuccessful House bid.
George withdrew from the chair's race and endorsed Randall for the post as a long day of speeches was starting to get under way.
more to come ...
| 
