The 2026 Texas Republican Party Convention, held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, began with a strong emphasis on unity. However, as the three-day event progressed, cracks in the party’s facade became increasingly visible.
Delegates were greeted with digital posters proclaiming “unity drives victory” a message echoed by speakers who urged attendees to set aside primary season differences and focus on defeating Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections. Governor Greg Abbottspeaking at the conference for the first time since 2018, vowed to “demolish” Democrats but stressed the importance of sticking together to achieve this goal. Former state Sen. Don Huffinesnow the GOP nominee for comptroller, endorsed all Republicans on the ticket and called for crushing “atheists and the leftists.”
Signs of Fracturing Unity
Despite the calls for unity, the convention saw several instances of discord. Delegates ousted their party chair, Abraham Georgein a surprising move that shook up the Texas GOP leadership just months before a critical election. The first sitting texas house leader to address the convention, House Speaker Dustin Burrowswas met with jeers from some delegates, highlighting the internal strife within the party.
Concerns about poor attendance at the convention, despite the presence of top elected officials, added to the sense of disarray. Additionally, long-standing disputes, such as those over tort reform, resurfaced, indicating that some conflicts remain unresolved. Party leaders emphasized the importance of unity to ensure Texas remains a Republican stronghold, especially as Democrats aim to secure a statewide victory for the first time since 1994.
Internal Conflicts and Controversies
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick suggested that U.S. Senator John Cornyn was a “sore loser” after being defeated in his primary runoff by attorney general Ken Paxton. Cornyn, who intends to support the Republican ticket in the fall, retorted that Patrick should be worried about losing in November. Patrick, however, also called for GOP solidarity and warned about the difficulties Republicans might face in maintaining control of the Texas House.
The convention also saw heated exchanges over religious issues. Delegates Amjad MuhtasebSamar Halabiand Tarek Hussein engaged in a tense discussion with Rep. Brent Money of Greenville, who founded the “Sharia-Free Texas Caucus.” The party attempted to remove Muhtaseb and Hussein as delegates due to their ties to the Council on American-Islamic Relationsbut party rules prevented their removal. Abraham Georgethe ousted party chair, advised them to leave the GOP and join the Democratic convention instead.
A Hard Right Agenda
The convention highlighted the party’s hard-right agenda, with a significant focus on anti-Islam sentiment. Delegates emphasized the need to halt the “Islamification” of Texas, with one woman pleading, “This is a crisis, this is an emergency.” The party platform was amended to support various measures against Islam, including teaching that Sharia law is incompatible with the U.S. Constitution and preventing schools and businesses from being required to provide time for prayer multiple times a day.
The platform also reaffirmed conservative Christian values, such as displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools and allowing prayer time for Christian students. Dan Patricka champion of Christian conservative values, embraced the Christian nationalist label, stating, “To me, that means I love God and I love America.”
As the convention concluded, the question of whether the Texas GOP can maintain unity in the face of internal divisions remained unanswered. The party’s hard-right agenda and the emphasis on anti-Islam sentiment underscored the challenges ahead as Republicans prepare for the midterm elections.