Matt Rinaldi

Rinaldi was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He graduated from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, at which he drew national attention for his successful effort to have the Pledge of Allegiance recited prior to meetings of the student government association.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1994/10/27/battle-over-pledge-of-allegiance-cleaves-a-campus/595e6ef6-21dd-46bf-b056-3799bc96a4bb/ |title=Battle over Pledge of Allegiance Cleaves a Campus |last=Strauss |first=Valerie |date=October 27, 1994 |newspaper=Washington Post |accessdate=May 29, 2017}} He graduated in 2001 with a Juris Doctor degree from Boston University School of Law.{{cite web|title=About Matt Rinaldi|url=http://mattrinaldi.com/about-matt/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210024428/http://mattrinaldi.com/about-matt/|archive-date=December 10, 2014|publisher=mattrinaldi.com|accessdate=December 10, 2014}}

After law school, Rinaldi became a litigation associate with the Dallas office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. Rinaldi spent the next two decades working at different law firms but never made partner and never worked at any law firm for more than five years.{{cite web | last=Hooks | first=Christopher | title=Sinners in the Hands of an Angry GOP | website=Texas Monthly | date=November 6, 2023 | url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/matt-rinaldi-texas-gop/ | access-date=May 28, 2024}} After working at various Dallas law firm, Rinaldi worked part-time with various gigs until he began to work for a billionaire political donor.

In 2012, Rinaldi placed third of five candidates in the Republican primary election for the 115th district of the Texas House of Representatives; the seat was open following the retirement of veteran legislator Jim Jackson.{{cite web|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2011/07/13/jim-jackson-fixture-in-dallas-county-politics-to-retire|title=Jim Jackson, fixture in Dallas County politics, to retire, July 13, 2011 |date=July 13, 2011 }} Of the top two vote-getters, Bennett Ratliff would win the Republican nomination in a run-off over Steve Nguyen, then go on to win the seat in November 2012.

On March 4, 2014, Rinaldi challenged incumbent Ratliff in the Texas Republican primary for the seat again, this time successfully; Rinaldi earned 4,167 votes (50.6 percent) to Ratliff's 4,075 votes (49.4 percent).{{cite web|url=http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe |title=Republican runoff primary returns (House District 115), March 4, 2014 |publisher=Texas Secretary of State |accessdate=July 10, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109062336/http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe |archivedate=January 9, 2014 }}

During the 84th Texas Legislature, Rinaldi was appointed to the Agriculture & Livestock committee and the Business & Industry committee. He joint- and co-authored successful pieces of legislation that were signed into law, including HB 11{{cite web|title = Texas Legislature Online - 84(R) History for HB 11|url = http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB11|website = www.capitol.state.tx.us|accessdate = September 21, 2015}} (authorizing additional troopers for border security and strengthening smuggling laws) and HB 283{{cite web|title = Texas Legislature Online - 84(R) History for HB 283|url = http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB283|website = www.capitol.state.tx.us|accessdate = September 21, 2015}} (increasing government transparency by requiring certain governmental bodies to make audio and video recordings of open meetings available online).

Rinaldi filed bills intended to eliminate or minimize the effects of the Robin Hood plan on Texas public school districts with HB 945{{cite web|title = Texas Legislature Online - 84(R) History for HB 945|url = http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB945|website = www.capitol.state.tx.us|accessdate = September 23, 2015}} and HB 1411.{{cite web|title = Texas Legislature Online - 84(R) History for HB 1411|url = http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB1411|website = www.capitol.state.tx.us|accessdate = September 23, 2015}}

Rinaldi co-authored legislation that would repeal in-state tuition and end welfare benefits for undocumented immigrants{{cite web|title = Texas Legislature Online - 84(R) History for HB 306|url = http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB306|website = www.capitol.state.tx.us|accessdate = September 23, 2015}} as well as penalize businesses that knowingly hire undocumented immigrants.{{cite web|title = Texas Legislature Online - 84(R) History for HB 183|url = http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB183|website = www.capitol.state.tx.us|accessdate = September 23, 2015}}{{cite web|title = Texas Legislature Online - 84(R) History for SB 374|url = http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=SB374|website = www.capitol.state.tx.us|accessdate = September 23, 2015}}

Rinaldi was rated the most conservative member of the Texas House by a Rice University study that "[drew] on the 1,138 non-lopsided roll call votes taken during the 2015 regular session."{{cite web|title = The 2015 Texas House, from left to right|first = Mark P. | last = Jones|url = http://www.tribtalk.org/2015/07/07/the-2015-texas-house-from-left-to-right/|website = TribTalk|accessdate = September 21, 2015|date=July 7, 2015}}

In the Republican primary held on March 1, 2016, Rinaldi and Ratliff would face off a third time,{{cite web|last1=Smith | first1=Morgan | date=February 12, 2016 | url=https://www.texastribune.org/2016/02/12/two-old-rivals-fight-gop-votes-dallas-house-race/|title=Old Rivals Face Off in Dallas House Race |work=Texas Tribune|accessdate=May 29, 2023}} as Ratliff vied unsuccessfully to win back the House District 115 seat. Rinaldi earned 8,804 votes (53.45 percent) to Ratliff's 7,668 votes (46.55 percent).{{cite web|url=http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist273_state.htm|title=Republican primary returns (House District 115), March 1, 2016|publisher=Texas Secretary of State|accessdate=April 21, 2016}} In the November 8 general election of that year, Rinaldi narrowly held on to the House seat, earning 29,987 votes (50.9 percent) over Democrat Dorotha M. Ocker's 28,939 (49.1 percent).{{cite web|url=http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist319_state.htm|title=Election Results|date=November 8, 2016|publisher=Texas Secretary of State|accessdate=December 15, 2016}}

During the 85th Texas Legislature, Rinaldi was appointed to the Agriculture & Livestock committee and the Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence committee.

Rinaldi was, according to The Dallas Morning News, "instrumental in strengthening the punishments in the sanctuary cities ban,"{{Cite news|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2017/09/23/joe-straus-confident-continue-house-speaker|title=Joe Straus confident he'll continue as House Speaker|date=September 23, 2017|work=Dallas News|access-date=November 14, 2017}} and authored and passed into law measures that: remove from office public officials who adopt sanctuary city policies,{{Cite web|url=http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=SB4|title=Texas Legislature Online - 85(R) History for SB 4|website=www.capitol.state.tx.us|access-date=November 14, 2017}} require government contractors and subcontractors to use e-verify,{{Cite web|url=http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=SB312|title=Texas Legislature Online - 85(R) History for SB 312|website=www.capitol.state.tx.us|access-date=November 14, 2017}} revoke pensions of teachers convicted of committing sex crimes against students,{{Cite web|url=http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=SB7|title=Texas Legislature Online - 85(R) History for SB 7|website=www.capitol.state.tx.us|access-date=November 14, 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB2289|title=Texas Legislature Online - 85(R) History for HB 2289|website=www.capitol.state.tx.us|access-date=November 14, 2017}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/texas-legislature/2017/05/08/bill-cracking-sexual-improper-student-teacher-relationships-passes-house|title=Bill cracking down on sexual and other improper student-teacher relationships passes House|date=May 8, 2017|work=Dallas News|access-date=November 14, 2017}} allow churches to utilize volunteers to provide security services without risking heavy fines,{{Cite web|url=http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB421|title=Texas Legislature Online - 85(R) History for HB 421|website=www.capitol.state.tx.us|access-date=November 14, 2017}} and prohibit any taxpayer money from going to Planned Parenthood.{{Cite web|url=http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=SB8|title=Texas Legislature Online - 85(R) History for SB 8|website=www.capitol.state.tx.us|access-date=November 14, 2017}} He also re-introduced legislation he had previously proposed to end the Robin Hood school finance system.{{Cite web|url=http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB286|title=Texas Legislature Online - 85(R) History for HB 286|website=www.capitol.state.tx.us|access-date=November 14, 2017}}

In May 2017, Rinaldi called Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officers on protesters inside the Capitol building. Rinaldi claimed that he called ICE after seeing individuals holding protest signs indicating they were illegal immigrants.{{cite web |url=http://www.mystatesman.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/reversal-ice-confirms-fielding-call-about-protesters/YkILWfFN72fejttdtbrdrO/ |title=Reversal: ICE confirms fielding call about SB 4 protesters |date=May 31, 2017 |accessdate=January 20, 2020}} An altercation ensued; according to multiple Hispanic Democratic lawmakers, Rinaldi got into their faces during the dispute and cursed at them. Video shot from the House floor showed both Republicans and Democrats pushing each other. Rinaldi claimed that Representative Poncho Nevárez threatened his life during the incident, which Nevárez denied. Democratic lawmaker Justin Rodriguez claimed that Rinaldi threatened to "put a bullet in one of my colleagues’ heads"; Rinaldi did not deny making the statement, but claimed it was made in self-defense.{{cite web|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2017/05/29/protesters-disrupt-house-proceedings-raise-opposition-sanctuary-cities/ |title=Republican lawmaker: I called immigration authorities on Capitol protesters |publisher=The Texas Tribune |date=May 29, 2017 |accessdate=May 30, 2017}} Rinaldi's actions were widely seen as having a racial motivation.{{cite web |last1=Garcia |first1=Michelle |title=In Texas, a call to action against white supremacy |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/06/opinions/el-paso-concert-against-white-supremacy-garcia/index.html |website=CNN |date=September 7, 2019 |accessdate=September 7, 2019}} After the incident, state representative Ramon Romero Jr. said Rinaldi had "racially profiled every single person that was in the gallery today."

During Rinaldi's second term, he remained ranked as the most conservative legislator (tied with Briscoe Cain and Jonathan Stickland) in Austin according to a Rice University's study roll-call vote analysis drawing on 1,460 non-lopsided roll-call votes taken during the 2017 regular session.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribtalk.org/2017/06/09/the-2017-texas-house-from-left-to-right/|title=The 2017 Texas House, from left to right, by Mark P. Jones|website=TribTalk|access-date=November 14, 2017}} He was also named one of the Top 10 Legislators by the conservative advocacy group Empower Texans,{{Cite news|url=https://empowertexans.com/features/best-worst-legislators-2017/|title=Best and Worst Legislators of 2017 - Empower Texans|date=May 28, 2017|work=Empower Texans|access-date=November 14, 2017}} as well as one of the Top 10 Worst Legislators by Texas Monthly.{{Cite web|url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/politics/the-best-and-worst-legislators-2017/|title=2017: The Best and Worst Legislators|date=June 20, 2017|website=Texas Monthly|language=en|access-date=September 13, 2019}} His voting record earned a 100 score from conservative advocacy group Texans for Fiscal Responsibility.{{Cite web|url=https://index.empowertexans.com/legislators/matt-rinaldi/2017-index|title=Matt Rinaldi|website=index.empowertexans.com|access-date=November 14, 2017}}

Rinaldi lost his state House seat in 2018. Rinaldi was unseated by Democrat Julie Johnson, whose campaign included volunteers who had been part of the ICE altercation at the Capitol in May 2017.{{cite news |url=https://www.texasobserver.org/say-adios-to-matt-rinaldi-the-texas-lawmaker-who-called-ice-to-report-latino-protesters/ |title=Say Adiós to Matt Rinaldi, the Texas Lawmaker Who Called ICE to Report Latino Protesters |last=Bova |first=Gus |date=November 7, 2018 |accessdate=January 28, 2020 |quote=A Dallas-area attorney, Johnson ran a campaign that included volunteers that Rinaldi actually called ICE on at the Texas Capitol during a pro-immigrant protest last May. }} Rinaldi earned 24,512 votes (43.21 percent) to Johnson's 32,214 votes (56.79 percent), the lowest vote percentage of any House incumbent in Dallas County that year.{{cite web|url=https://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist331_state.htm|title=Race Summary Report, 2018 General Election, 11/6/2018|date=November 6, 2018|publisher=Texas Office of the Secretary of State|accessdate=January 28, 2020}}

Rinaldi was elected Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas on July 11, 2021, to replace outgoing chair, former Congressman Allen West.Waltens, Brandon. [https://texasscorecard.com/state/matt-rinaldi-elected-new-chair-of-texas-gop/ Matt Rinaldi Elected New Chair of Texas GOP], Texas Scorecard, July 11, 2021.{{cite web | last1=Greenwood | first1=Max | title=Texas GOP picks another Abbott critic to lead state party | url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/562536-texas-gop-picks-another-abbott-critic-to-lead-state-party | date=July 12, 2021 | work=The Hill | access-date=July 12, 2021}} In his first weeks as chairman, Rinaldi had established a reputation of being more collegial than West had been,{{cite web | last1=Svitek | first1=Patrick | title=New Texas GOP chair Matt Rinaldi winning over critics of Allen West's tumultuous era | url=https://www.texastribune.org/2021/08/27/matt-rinald-gop-chair/ | date=August 27, 2021 | work=The Texas Tribune | access-date=September 19, 2021}} but also signaled an intent to challenge statewide Republican officials including Governor Greg Abbott.{{cite web |last1=Svitek | first1=Patrick | title=New Texas GOP Chair Matt Rinaldi Is Likely to Keep the Heat on Greg Abbott and Other Republicans | url=

https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/texas-gop-chair-candidates/ | date=July 9, 2021 | work=Texas Monthly | access-date=May 29, 2023}} As state GOP chair, Rinaldi directly criticized elected Texas Republicans perceived by the grassroots faction within the state organization as not conservative enough.{{cite web | title=Texas GOP launches radio attack ads against Republican state House speaker | url=https://www.texastribune.org/2023/01/20/texas-gop-matt-rinaldi-dade-phelan-speaker/ | date=January 20, 2023 | work=The Texas Tribune | access-date=May 29, 2023}}{{cite web | last=Downen | first=Robert | title="The house is on fire": Texas GOP plots its next chapter amid civil war, depleted staff, funding drops | website=The Texas Tribune | date=May 23, 2024 | url=https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/23/texas-gop-matt-rinaldi-republicans/ | access-date=May 28, 2024}}

Rinaldi announced he would not run for reelection as Texas GOP Chairman in 2024.{{cite web | last=Downen | first=Robert | title=Texas GOP chair Matt Rinaldi won’t seek reelection | website=The Texas Tribune | date=March 15, 2024 | url=https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/15/matt-rinaldi-texas-republican-chair-reelection/ | access-date=March 20, 2024}} He was succeeded by Abraham George,{{cite web | last=Downey | first=Renzo | last2=Downen | first2=Robert | title=Far-right favorite Abraham George elected to lead Texas GOP | website=The Texas Tribune | date=May 24, 2024 | url=https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/24/texas-republican-party-chair-abraham-george/ | access-date=May 28, 2024}} whom Rinaldi endorsed.{{cite web | last=Downen | first=Robert | title=Race to succeed Texas GOP chair Matt Rinaldi has become referendum on his tenure | website=The Texas Tribune | date=March 27, 2024 | url=https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/27/texas-republican-party-matt-rinaldi-chair/ | access-date=May 28, 2024}}

He and his wife Corley, married since 2010, have a son, Rush. They attend St. Ann Catholic Parish Roman Catholic Church in Coppell.

;2018

{{Election box begin no change

| title=Texas General Election, 2018: State Representative District 115{{cite web|url=http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/TX/Dallas/63891/184237/Web01/en/summary.html|title=2016 General Election |accessdate=November 14, 2017 |publisher=Dallas County Elections }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Julie Johnson

|votes = 32,214

|percentage = 56.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Matt Rinaldi

|votes = 24,512

|percentage = 43.2

}}

{{Election box gain with party link no swing

|winner = Democratic Party (US)

|loser = Republican Party (US)

}}

{{Election box end}}

;2016

{{Election box begin no change

| title=Texas General Election, 2016: State Representative District 115{{cite web|url=http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/TX/Dallas/63891/184237/Web01/en/summary.html|title=2016 General Election |accessdate=November 14, 2017 |publisher=Dallas County Elections }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Matt Rinaldi

|votes = 29,987

|percentage = 50.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Dorotha Ocker

|votes = 28,939

|percentage = 49.1

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

|winner = Republican Party (US)

}}

{{Election box end}}

;2014

{{Election box begin no change|title=Texas General Election, 2014: State Representative District 115{{cite web|url=http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/TX/Dallas/54028/149066/en/summary.html |title=2014 General Election |accessdate=November 14, 2017 |publisher=Dallas County Elections }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=Matt Rinaldi

|votes=16,999

|percentage=57.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party=Democratic Party (US)

|candidate=Paul K. Stafford

|votes=11,767

|percentage=39.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party=Libertarian Party (US)

|candidate=Kim Kelley

|votes=999

|percentage=3.4

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

|winner=Republican Party (US)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Reflist}}

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{{s-bef|before=Bennett Ratliff}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from the 115th district|years=2015–2019}}

{{s-aft|after=Julie Johnson}}

|-

{{s-ppo}}

{{s-bef|before=Allen West}}

{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the Texas Republican Party|years=2021–2024}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Rinaldi, Matt}}

Category:1975 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century members of the Texas Legislature

Category:21st-century Roman Catholics

Category:Activists from Texas

Category:American people of Italian descent

Category:Boston University School of Law alumni

Category:Catholics from Texas

Category:James Madison University alumni

Category:Members of the Texas House of Representatives

Category:People associated with Gibson Dunn

Category:People from Irving, Texas

Category:Tea Party movement activists

Category:Texas lawyers

Category:Texas Republican state chairmen