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'''Stephen Peter Munisteri''', known as '''Steve Munisteri''' (born 1958), is a businessman and a former attorney from [[Houston, Texas|Houston]], who was elected chairman of the [[Republican Party]] of [[Texas]] at the state convention held in [[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]] on June 13, 2010. He unseated the incumbent [[Cathie Adams|Cathie Louise Mingee Adams]], the former director of a crisis pregnancy center in Plano, Texas, and the wife of a Dallas chiropractor. Adams had held the position for only eight months.<ref name=txgop>"Republican Party of Texas Elects Steve Munisteri Chairman", texasgop.org, June 12, 2010</ref>

'''Stephen Peter Munisteri''', known as '''Steve Munisteri''' (born 1958), is a businessman and a former attorney from [[Houston, Texas|Houston]], who was elected chairman of the [[Republican Party]] of [[Texas]] at the state convention held in [[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]] on June 13, 2010. He unseated the incumbent [[Cathie Adams|Cathie Louise Mingee Adams]], the former director of a crisis pregnancy center in Plano, Texas, and the wife of a Dallas chiropractor. Adams had held the position for only eight months.<ref name=txgop>"Republican Party of Texas Elects Steve Munisteri Chairman", texasgop.org, June 12, 2010</ref>

Munisteri is the first challenger in modern Texas Republican history to defeat a sitting incumbent for the position of state chairman. Early in his political career, Munisteri served as State Chairman of the Texas Chapter of [[Young Americans for Freedom]]. In 1980, he founded the [[Young Conservatives of Texas]]. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yct.org/steve-munisteri-chairman-of-the-republican-party-of-texas-and-founder-of-young-conservatives-of-texas/|title=Steve Munisteri - Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas and Founder of Young Conservatives of Texas, January 3, 2011|publisher=yct.org|accessdate=January 3, 2011}}</ref>

Munisteri is the first challenger in modern Texas Republican history to defeat a sitting incumbent for the position of state chairman. Early in his political career, Munisteri served as State Chairman of the Texas Chapter of [[Young Americans for Freedom]]. In 1980, he founded the [[Young Conservatives of Texas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yct.org/steve-munisteri-chairman-of-the-republican-party-of-texas-and-founder-of-young-conservatives-of-texas/|title=Steve Munisteri - Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas and Founder of Young Conservatives of Texas, January 3, 2011|publisher=yct.org|accessdate=January 3, 2011}}</ref>

Upon becoming chairman, Munisteri immediately focused his sights on the reelection of Perry, who won a third full four-year term in the general election on November 2, 2010. Perry also served the last two years of the unexpired term of former Governor and [[U.S. President]] [[George W. Bush]]. He defeated the 2010 challenge of the [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] William Henry "Bill" White, a businessman, former state party chairman and a former mayor of Houston.<ref name=dallas>{{cite web|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/state/stories/DN-gopchair_13tex.ART.State.Edition1.29a2407.html|title=Houston lawyer Steve Munisteri named to chair Texas Republican Party, June 13, 2010|publisher=dallasnews.com|accessdate=September 29, 2010}}</ref>

Upon becoming chairman, Munisteri immediately focused his sights on the reelection of Perry, who won a third full four-year term in the general election on November 2, 2010. Perry also served the last two years of the unexpired term of former Governor and [[U.S. President]] [[George W. Bush]]. He defeated the 2010 challenge of the [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] William Henry "Bill" White, a businessman, former state party chairman and a former mayor of Houston.<ref name=dallas>{{cite web|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/state/stories/DN-gopchair_13tex.ART.State.Edition1.29a2407.html|title=Houston lawyer Steve Munisteri named to chair Texas Republican Party, June 13, 2010|publisher=dallasnews.com|accessdate=September 29, 2010}}</ref>

Munisteri has issued a regular "Chairman's Update" to Texas Republicans with information regarding his activities as Chairman. In December 2010, Munisteri announced that the RPT had fully retired its crippling debt and would end 2010 with zero debt, all bills paid, a record net worth, and a record positive cash balance in its accounts. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://franklincountytexasgop.blogspot.com/2010/12/rpt-debt-free.html|title=RPT: Debt Free |publisher=franklincountytexasgop.blogspot.com|accessdate=December 8, 2010}}</ref>

Munisteri has issued a regular "Chairman's Update" to Texas Republicans with information regarding his activities as Chairman. In December 2010, Munisteri announced that the RPT had fully retired its crippling debt and would end 2010 with zero debt, all bills paid, a record net worth, and a record positive cash balance in its accounts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://franklincountytexasgop.blogspot.com/2010/12/rpt-debt-free.html|title=RPT: Debt Free |publisher=franklincountytexasgop.blogspot.com|accessdate=December 8, 2010}}</ref>

Few state chairmen have presided over a more successful party than Munisteri. The Texas GOP in 2012 continued to hold all statewide constitutional office, the eighteen statewide judgeships, and all three members of the [[Texas Railroad Commission]]. Under Munisteri, his party gained a net of three seats in the U.S. House and twenty-four seats in the Texas House.

Few state chairmen have presided over a more successful party than Munisteri. The Texas GOP in 2012 continued to hold all statewide constitutional office, the eighteen statewide judgeships, and all three members of the [[Texas Railroad Commission]]. Under Munisteri, his party gained a net of three seats in the U.S. House and twenty-four seats in the Texas House.