TEXAS — The Texas Republican Party's new chairman is getting to work less than a week into the job.

Former state Rep. Matt Rinaldi was elected to the post on Sunday. He replaces Allen West who stepped down to run for governor after a brief 10 months on the job. Rinaldi will complete West's term before running for a full term next year.

In an interview on Capital Tonight Thursday, Rinaldi said his first priorities are to make sure the office is adequately staffed and then get out to fundraising and organizing a victory effort for 2022.

“That’s going to be the most important priority going forward and we want to make sure we have a solid foundation,” he said.

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Like his predecessor, Rinaldi has been critical of Gov. Greg Abbott's response to the coronavirus pandemic, among other issues. He also backed another challenger of Abbott's, former state Sen. Don Huffines, before withdrawing it once he was elected. When asked how he would stay impartial in the race after that, he said it’s simple.

“You do your job. The Republican Party of Texas doesn’t take positions in contested primaries and as the chair I don’t plan on taking positions in statewide contested positions either,” he explained.

The Texas House Democrats' walkout during the current special session has left GOP priorities in jeopardy, and Rinaldi says if the bills don’t pass it will be detrimental in the election.

“Luckily, Gov. Abbott’s taken a strong stance saying he’ll call special session after special session until the Democrats come back. I don’t think there’s an end game for them in this. We will pass our priorities. It’s just a matter of time,” he said.

Click the video link above to watch our full interview with Chairman Rinaldi.