Texas Republican Party Chairman Texas Allen West announced Friday he would be resigning from his leading role in the state party.
West, a right-wing Republican who was elected to the position only last year, did not say where he was going next.
“Lt. Col. Allen West will take this opportunity to prayerfully reflect on a new chapter in his already distinguished career,” a statement read. “We know that wherever he goes next, he will continue to be a bulwark against progressive socialism and a champion for the principles of Texas and our American Republic.”
One easy guess is to take on Gov. Greg Abbott in the 2022 Republican primary.
As chairman of the Texas GOP, West spent his days pushing a Tea Party-style agenda and slinging mud to the right of fellow Republicans, particularly Abbott. Most notably, he sued the governor for extending the state’s early voting period and joined a protest against him over COVID-19 restrictions.
But considering his resignation comes two days after Donald Trump endorsed Abbott in his race against Sen. Don Huffines of Dallas (Abbot’s only major primary challenger so far) it’s not certain West will hop into the race.
Whatever statewide elected endeavors he pursues, West will have to answer for his one-term stint as a Florida congressman where he accomplished little, as well as disturbing military past where he tortured an Iraqi police officer during an interrogation.
Fernando covers Texas politics and government at the Texas Signal. Before joining the Signal, Fernando spent two years at the Houston Chronicle and previously interned at Houston’s NPR station News 88.7. He is a graduate of the University of Houston, Jack J. Valenti School of Communication, and enjoys reading, highlighting things, and arguing on social media. You can follow him on Twitter at @fernramirez93 or email at fernando@texassignalarchive.com
