With the biennial Republican Party of Texas convention less than two months away, two women are campaigning to represent the state within the Republican National Committee.
Debbie Georgatos and Kit Whitehill, the two declared candidates in the race for RNC committeewoman, each shared her vision for leading the party at a forum Monday night hosted by the Dallas County Council of Republican Women.
Debbie Georgatos is the host of the conservative talk show America, Can We Talk? and is also an author and public speaker on the importance of participating in politics to preserve freedom. She’s been active in grassroots Republican politics since moving to Texas in 2000, serving as president of Park Cities Republican Women and vice chair of the Dallas County GOP.
Kit Whitehill is a longtime Republican activist at the local and state level. She founded the Coppell Republican Women’s Club, served as secretary of the Dallas County GOP, and is the immediate past president of the Texas Federation of Republican Women.
Georgatos told forum attendees she is running “to help save America” and will “bring new energy and passion with substance and depth on the issues.”
“We need a fresh voice on the RNC representing a broad swath of Republicans in Texas,” she said.
Whitehill said she is running to continue helping Republicans attract more voters and elect more officeholders.
“The RNC needs to grow the party and get more Republicans elected up and down the ballot,” she said. “That’s so much of what I did in my role in TFRW.”
Whitehill said the primary purpose of the RNC is to act as a liaison between state parties and the national party.
“Our RNC members represent each and every voter in Texas and need to communicate back to the voters and listen to their concerns and priorities,” she said.
She noted that the RNC also plans the party’s national convention during presidential election years and that the 2028 convention is going to be in Houston.
“I have a lot of convention-planning experience as a past TFRW Convention chair,” she said. “That experience would be very beneficial and a project I would love to be involved in.”
Georgatos said the purpose of the RNC is to “help the American people understand that the Republican Party is the only party that is standing up for what our founding fathers tried to create.”
“We need to spread what Republicans are about … inspire people to understand who we are, reignite their love for America … invite people into our party,” she said.
She added that fundraising is another key RNC role.
“The money will follow the message,” she said.
“This is a new day for the RNC,” said Georgatos when asked about the recent staffing changes at the RNC made by former President Donald Trump, who is the party’s presumptive nominee.
“We’re not here to rub elbows at fancy parties or fly around in fancy jets. We’re here to fight—to register voters, win elections, help candidates who need help from the RNC,” she said.
“Election integrity is vital,” she added. “We have a huge problem, and the RNC can play a role in fixing it.”
Whitehill praised Trump’s selection of his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, as RNC co-chair.
“Lara is a fabulous spokesperson and fundraiser who is bringing in energy and money,” she said, adding that the RNC needs to “do everything we can to get our Republicans elected.”
Both candidates were asked what they would do as RNC committeewoman to engage with Texas grassroots activists and organizations to ensure their voices are heard at the national level.
“This is what I’ve been doing the last four years of my life, with TFRW and other organizations,” said Whitehill. “My plan is to make it known that I am available and want to talk with people.”
Georgatos said her “normal activity” has been to be involved in many different groups, including Republican clubs, Tea Party groups, and other grassroots organizations. “People form clubs outside the Republican Party because they don’t feel their voices are heard by the party.”
When asked about border security, Georgatos called it the “single winning issue for the Republican Party,” because “everyone can see the the left means to flood the border and destroy the country. There’s no other explanation for what they’re doing.”
“We’ve got to get our Republicans elected to push whatever we decide to do for the border. Otherwise, the Democrats are going to continue to take over our country,” said Whitehill.
Whitehill said her top priority as RNC committeewoman would be to grow the party.
“We do that by getting out a heartfelt message about Republicans and why we’re better,” she said.
“We need the independents. With infighting, we’re not reaching them,” she added. “We need to message to Americans, get Republicans elected, then focus on our issues.”
Georgatos said she would prioritize messaging that emphasizes “how radical the Left is.”
“If you express ideas in the right way that actually means something, then you will get Republicans elected because you get voters excited about them,” she said.
Delegates attending the 2024 RPT convention in May will elect an RNC committeewoman and an RNC committeeman, along with state party leaders.
Current RNC Committeewoman Toni Anne Dashiel is not running for re-election. Galveston County Commissioner Dr. Robin Armstrong is the current RNC committeeman.
Declared candidates for Texas GOP chair include Dana Myers, Ben Armenta, Weston Martinez, and Abraham George.
Myers, who is the state party’s current vice chair, announced at a TFRW event in January that she would challenge Chairman Matt Rinaldi. But earlier this month Rinaldi announced he was not running for re-election and endorsed George.
Announced vice chair candidates include Troy Jackson and Alexandra Schilling. The RPT chair and vice chair positions must be held by one man and one woman.
The Republican Party of Texas convention will be held May 23-25 in San Antonio.
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