Miller demands GOP chair resign after Texas losses

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller issued a formal call on Friday for Republican Party of Texas Chair D’Rinda Randall to step down following the party's midterm defeat.

The midterm results marked a shift in state power. Democratic candidates won every statewide race on the ballot. They secured control of the Texas House of Representatives and the State Board of Education, ending decades of Republican majorities in those bodies.

Miller, who is leaving office, released his statement on Friday, November 6. He described the election outcome as a political catastrophe. He said he repeatedly warned Randall about voter frustration. He cited rising property taxes, soaring insurance premiums, and high gas prices as key issues. He argued that party leadership ignored these warnings. He said Randall issued only a weak statement that accepted no responsibility for the failure. Miller noted that the party lost the Governor's Mansion, every statewide executive office, and the state House.

The timeline of Miller's concerns spans months. He claims he spoke directly to Randall about specific grievances from farmers, ranchers, veterans, and small business owners. He said he urged her to have candidates address the impact of data centers on rural communities. He also flagged outrage over Flock cameras and fears of government surveillance. Miller stated that Randall argued the data center issue was less important than the social issues she prioritized. He maintained that these topics should have been central to the conservative message.

Randall responded to the election results on the night of November 3. In that statement, she congratulated winning Republican candidates and acknowledged the difficult losses. She said the party would reflect honestly and learn from its setbacks. She stated that the party would accept the results and begin rebuilding the next day. Miller criticized that message on Friday, saying it did not accept responsibility for the party's failure.

Miller lost the Republican primary in March to Nate Sheets. Democratic candidate Clayton Tucker defeated Sheets by about five percentage points in the November 3 general election. Tucker will become the first Democrat to hold the agriculture commissioner role in nearly four decades. Miller said he would work with Tucker and his team to ensure a smooth transition. He said the commitment to Texas agriculture must come first regardless of party affiliation.