AUSTIN, Texas — The Travis County Republican Party (TCRP) will soon be under new leadership.
Party chair Matt Mackowiak announced Monday that he would be stepping down immediately from his leadership position.
Mackowiak has been a member of the Travis County GOP for more than 10 years. From 2012 to 2017, he served as a precinct chair and then vice chair. He then became the party’s chair, serving in that role for over seven years.
“This past weekend my wife Amy and I decided that our most important goals are starting a family and creating financial security,” Mackowiak said. “These wonderful opportunities deserve my complete focus…I believe it is a good time for a transition to new leadership at TCRP.”
As party chair, Mackowiak raised $1.75 million during his tenure, increasing the party’s budget from $40,000 to $300,000. He has also heralded for gains made among Republicans in Central Texas despite Travis County being heavily Democratic.
What’s next for the TCRP?
Mackowiak recommended a new chair be elected during the party’s meeting on March 11.
According to Mackowiak, calling the election as quickly as possible would give candidates for the position time to campaign and meet with members of the party’s executive committee, who would select the next chair.
Mackowiak’s other ventures
Mackowiak is also known as one of the co-founders of the Save Austin Now PAC, a nonpartisan organization focused on the standard of living issues in Austin.
More recently, Mackowiak co-founded the Austin Baseball Commission to bring a Major League Baseball franchise to Austin. The league is expected to add two expansion franchises by 2029. So far, Mackowiak’s commission has examined Hays, Travis and Williamson counties as potential options for its bid.