Abraham George (politician)
Abraham George | |
|---|---|
| Chair of the Texas Republican Party | |
| Assumed office May 24, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Matt Rinaldi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 19, 1979 Kerala, India |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Jeena |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of North Texas (MBA) |
| Website | Campaign website |
Abraham George (born October 19, 1979)[1][2] is an Indian-born American businessman and politician from Parker, Texas and the chairman of the Republican Party of Texas since May 2024.[3][4][5]
Early life and education
[edit]Born in Kerala, India, George moved to the United States at the age of 16 with his family in 1996.[1][6] He became a U.S. citizen in 2001.[2] George earned his MBA from the University of North Texas.
George started a software firm in 2012 that specialized in healthcare management.[7]
Political career
[edit]George was elected to the state Republican executive committee to represent Senate District 8 in 2020, then elected chair of the Collin County GOP by the executive committee in October 2021, and won re-election in March 2022.[8] As chairman, he criticized the impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton as a waste of time and resources that took Republican House members away from priorities such as the border and economy.[9][6] He also criticized the prosecution of Paxton's impeachment, stating that the evidence that the prosecutors presented did not support a guilty verdict in the impeachment.[10]
In October 2023, he resigned to run in the Republican primary for Texas's 89th house district, challenging incumbent representative Candy Noble, where he was defeated.[11]
He was elected chairman at the Texas Republican convention in San Antonio on May 24, 2024.[3] George faced six other candidates. On the convention floor, George defeated outgoing party vice-chair Dana Myers[4][12] and former Texas Real Estate Commissioner Weston Martinez.[4][12] In the final round of voting, George defeated Myers, 54% to 46%.[12] George was endorsed by the outgoing chairman Matt Rinaldi[4][13] and Ken Paxton,.[5]
Political positions
[edit]George opposes Democrats being appointed to committee chair positions in the Texas House by a Republican Speaker, believing that the practice takes away the power of the House from the Republicans and gives it to the Democrats.[14]
George supports school choice.[15]
Personal life
[edit]George and his wife, Jeena, a registered nurse, live in Parker, Texas, with their two children, both of whom attend the Plano Independent School District.[16][17]
Election results
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Candy Noble (incumbent) | 9,579 | 52.60% | |
| Republican | Abraham George | 8,632 | 47.40% | |
| Total votes | 18,211 | 100.00% | ||
References
[edit]- ^ a b Meet Abraham George, Abraham George for State Chairman. Access Date: May 25, 2024.
- ^ a b Ballotpedia survey responses, Ballotpedia, Access Date: May 25, 2024.
- ^ a b Jeffers, Gromer. Texas Republican convention approves closed primary, selects new leader, Dallas Morning News, May 24, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Downey, Renzo; Downen, Robert (24 May 2024). "Far-right favorite Abraham George elected to lead Texas GOP". Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024.
- ^ a b Johnson, Brad. Abraham George Elected Next Texas GOP Chair Ahead of 2024 General, Closed Primary Rule Established, The Texan, May 24, 2024.
- ^ a b Lewis, Curt. Collin County GOP Chairman steps down to run for Texas House seat, KRLD AM Radio Dallas, October 9, 2023.
- ^ "Abraham George", Club for Growth Foundation. Access Date: June 1, 2024.
- ^ Meet Abraham George, Abraham George Campaign. Access Date: May 27, 2024.
- ^ Love, Caroline. Collin County GOP chair calls Paxton impeachment acquittal a ‘triumph’, KERA-TV, Dallas, Texas, North Texas Public Broadcasting, Inc., September 16, 2023.
- ^ Miles, J.D. "Collin County GOP leader believes evidence presented in Ken Paxton trial doesn't support impeachment", CBS News, September 15, 2023.
- ^ Hamilton, Shelbie. Candy Noble wins Republican primary race for State House District 89 seat, Community Impact, March 5, 2024.
- ^ a b c Waltens, Brandon. Abraham George Elected Chair of Texas GOP, Texas Scorecard, May 24, 2024.
- ^ Downen, Robert (March 27, 2024). "Race to succeed Texas GOP chair Matt Rinaldi has become referendum on his tenure". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Republican House Candidates Spar Over Democrat Committee Chairs, Texas Scorecard, January 29, 2024
- ^ ‘Personal, political drama haunt Collin County's Abraham George in battle for state GOP chair, KERA, March 25, 2024.
- ^ Meet Abraham George, abrahamgeorge.com. Access Date: June 1, 2024.
- ^ https://clubforgrowthfoundation.org/fellow/abraham-george/