Sharing with you some of my concerns for the future of the Republican Party of Texas
By Tom Mechler
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas As many of you are aware I had the incredible honor of serving as
the Republican Party of Texas (RPT) State Chair the largest state Republican organization in the country. I was elected by
the State Republican Executive Committee (SREC) on March 7th 2015 to fulfill former RPT Chair Steve Munisteris unexpired term having previously served under Steve as RPT Treasurer for over 4-1/2 years.
I was re-elected by the delegates at the Texas State Republican Convention in 2016.
To my many past supporters I want to take the opportunity to explain my involvement in the Republican Party over 34 years my love for this great party and what led me to resign one year ago.
Like so many of those involved in our party I started as a volunteer stuffing envelopes on a local campaign. I would go on to serve in a variety of roles; Precinct Chair Vice Chair of the District GOP Party District Chair County GOP Chair for two different counties and as a member of the SREC.
Like many of you I have invested thousands of hours of my life in this party. Without a doubt it has been a labor of love and a belief that the RPT stands for something honorable and is a tool to make the lives of Texans better by ensuring that Republicans are elected to public office.
Stepping down as the State Chair was one of the most difficult decisions Ive ever had to make. The RPT was thriving. We had:
- We were working closely with the County Chairs & RPT Auxiliaries
- We had a Strong & Productive Relationship with our Statewide Elected Officials
- An incredible Minority Engagement Program was bearing tremendous fruit in those Communities
- The RPT Employees were amazing
- During my State Chair tenure our team raised $7.9 million
- We had $595000 in Unrestricted Funds in the Partys Coffers (Cash on Hand that does not include Convention Victory CRC or Primary Funds)
My supporters have asked why I chose to resign in the midst of so much success.
The short answer is that despite the successes at RPT many of the most important things in my life were reeling from the strain of 26 months of being the full-time volunteer State Chair.
- My business had begun struggling and was at risk of failing.
- My marriage was in shambles due to the stress of the job and significant time away from home.
- And my adult children & precious grandchildren were beginning to feel like they hardly knew me anymore.
Simply my business and family relationships could no longer sustain the demands of the position.
A year later my business is once again thriving my marriage has been restored and my grandchildren know me. For this I am deeply thankful.
Im not running for any position but I care deeply about the future of the Republican Party. That is why I plan to
attend the State Convention and engage in the upcoming State Chair race sharing with all of you some of my concerns for the future ofÂ
the Republican Party of Texas.
But for now my wife Becky and I want to thank all of you for what you have done for us over all the years and we look forward to seeing you in San Antonio.
Tom Mechler served as chairman of the Republican Party of Texas from March 2015 to May 2017. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University and an MBA from the Wharton Business School in Finance.
