County GOP chair won’t seek re-election

The Denton County Republican Party Chairwoman — who lives in Lantana — will not seek re-election in 2018.

Lisa Hendrickson sent an email to party officers last week about her decision to pursue undisclosed opportunities rather than run again.

“I felt it was disingenuous to seek re-election while I pursued new opportunities,” Hendrickson said in a phone interview. “The biggest thing for me was making sure voters are given all opportunities in choosing the next chairman.”

Hendrickson, who was first elected in March 2016 and took office in June 2016, said she’s been advised to not discuss what her new opportunities are, in part because “not everything’s done.”

Hendrickson has almost a full year left in office.

Hendrickson described her experience as chairperson as being full of “ups and downs, hills and valleys.”

“You hope everyone (in the Republican party) will unite, because as republicans, there’s a lot to get done,” Hendrickson said. “There’s people who, when their candidate doesn’t win, they can’t get over it, and that was the most frustrating part of it.

“Seeing people get connected and plugged in to the local party was the best part.”

The filing period for the two-year term begins Nov. 11 for the March 6 election.

Denton County Precinct 4001 Chairwoman Jayne Howell, who is married to Denton Police Chief Lee Howell, is the only person who has announced intention to run for Hendrickson’s position.