TX GOP Chair Allen West Resigns; Now He's Eying Gov. Abbott's Job

DALLAS, TX —Texas GOP Chairman Allen West has resigned his post after less than 11 months on the job.

West says he is now seriously weighing whether he can outflank Greg Abbott to claim residence in the governor's mansion next year.

Running to the right of one of the most conservative governors in America is no small task, and requires a lot of Rocky Mountain Oyster material to undertake, considering Abbott has already been endorsed by the party's leader-in-exile, former president Donald Trump.

But then again, if you're going to try to run to the right of someone, where better than in Texas?

On Friday morning, West delivered what he termed an irrevocable resignation," coupled with a short farewell statement."It has been my distinct honor to serve as Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas," said West. "I pray Godspeed for this governing body,"

West intends to remain at his post until July 11, when the party names his replacement.

In the interim, the retired Army lieutenant colonel and one-term Florida congressman, told a WBAP radio audience that he is mulling over whether to challenge Greg Abbott for the Texas governorship or take on Dallas congressman Colin Allred.

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In his words, West now intends to"take this opportunity to prayerfully reflect on a new chapter" in his rise to national prominence as a conservative.

Clearly West is looking not only inwardly, but down the political road — perhaps at a Republican Party no longer beholden to Donald Trump. (The former president, who visits Dallas next month to address CPAC, gifted Abbott his "complete and total endorsement" for reelection earlier this week.)

“I serve God, country and Texas," said West, "so that does not affect me whatsoever.”

While the governor's opponents on the left (Beto O'Rourke and Matthew McConaughey in particular) are still sending up trial balloons, putting fingers in the air and reading tea leaves, Abbott's rivals on the right already smell blood in the water.

Many expect to find him vulnerable next spring when the party holds its gubernatorial primary. What wounded him? Mask mandates and shuttering the economy to save lives. Although Abbott was one of the most reluctant to do so — and one of the first to lift restrictions before the CDC said it was safe — many conservatives resent that he took the advice of health care professionals in the first place.

As for West, he'll be spending his time over the coming weeks in a way entirely familiar to the current governor: In thoughts and prayers.

Just days ago, he made it clear to The Dallas Morning News that no one is going to rush him.
“I’ll get to politics when the time comes.”

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