AUSTIN, Texas – To close out a year of utter chaos within the Republican Party of Texas (RPT), the Texas State Republican Executive Committee (SREC)  failed to pass a resolution aimed at abolishing ties with organizations or individuals with anti-semitic, pro-Nazi and Holocaust denial ideologies. This weekend’s failure to pass the resolution was sponsored by the Wilks brother’s Defend Texas Liberty PAC – one of the RPT’s largest donors. RPT Chair Matt Rinaldi has been outspoken about his relationship with the PAC, and SREC members who moved to strike the language below also have troubling ties to the Wilks family.

In short, a pair of billionaire MAGA Nazi-sympathizers have purchased the Republican Party of Texas in exchange for implementing an extremist agenda. This should not be taken lightly. 

Texas is the most diverse state in the country – and Texas Democrats won’t rest until every community is represented by leaders that embrace empathy, inclusion and fairness rather than angry Nazi-sympathizers with a ruling MAGA fist. And while the SREC spent their weekend courting Holocaust deniers, the Texas State Democratic Committee voted for a resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all hostages while also reaffirming our commitment to rooting out anti-semitism and Islamophobia in our communities, condemning Hamas and supporting President Biden’s efforts to bring peaceful resolutions to conflict in Gaza.

Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“White supremacy fuels the beating heart of the Republican Party of Texas, and this weekend's SREC vote confirms exactly that. Even after RPT leadership was exposed for their ties to Nick Fuentes, MAGA Republican extremists continued to pass legislation that actively places Black and Brown Texans in danger. It’s beyond reckless for a Party that so casually accepts racists, anti-semitics and Holocaust deniers to even sit on their executive board, or run for precinct chair – let alone govern 30 million people. There is no place for hate in Texas, and the current RPT leadership has set a place at the head of their table for it. I am calling on the Republican Party of Texas Chairman Matt Rinaldi and every elected official or SREC member that agrees with this vile white supremacist ideology to resign immediately. Additionally, I am calling on the Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel to open a full investigation into the RPT’s ties with anti-semites, Nazi sympathizers and Holocaust deniers as Texans’ safety is jeopardized by these actions.

“The difference between the two parties could not be more stark – and I’m proud of the measures that Texas Democrats are taking to make neighborhoods here and abroad more safe. Unfortunately, the Republican Party of Texas cannot say the same.” 

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