SREC Can't Appoint Mechler Repub Chairman

Amarillo businessman Tom Mechler (pictured) has been campaigning for the chairmanship of the Texas Republican Party for several months now. He had blamed previous chairman Tina Benkiser of being ineffective and costing the party several seats in the Texas House. When Benkiser resigned this week, Mechler had hoped he would be appointed to replace her.

But it now looks like that can't happen. It turns out that if the State Republican Executive Committee (SREC) was to appoint Mechler, it would be breaking state law. According to the Amarillo Globe News, state law requires that the state party chairman and vice-chairman must be of different sexes.

Since the party vice-chairman is a man, that means the chairmanship must go to a woman (although I assume it would be possible for the SREC to elevate the vice-chairman and appoint a woman to replace him). Either way, the law would prohibit Mechler from assuming a state leadership position in the party, at least until the party convention in June 2010.

So far, the names of two women have been mentioned as possible replacements. Former SREC member Melinda Fredricks has said she would accept the job only as a temporary replacent, and would not run for the position at the next convention. Texas Eagle Forum president Cathie Adams has also expressed interest in becoming the party chair.

Mechler says he will still run for the party chairmanship at the June convention.