Changes

In 1976, Staff was named the co-chairman of the Reagan primary campaign for the North Texas region, as the former governor of [[California]] challenged President Ford, the favorite of establishment Republicans, including Senator Tower. The two other co-chairmen, Ernest Angelo and Ray Barnhart organized West Texas and South Texas, respectively, in preparation for the presidential primary.<ref>Hathorn, ''Mayor Ernest Angelo," pp. 77, 81.</ref> Reagan also gained the support of state Senator Betty Andujar (1912-1997), a Republican from Fort Worth. The Reaganites gathered ten times the number of signatures needed to put the Reagan delegate choices on the primary ballot.<ref>Photo caption, ''Dallas Morning News'', February 3, 1976, p. 6A.</ref>

In 1976, Staff was named the co-chairman of the Reagan primary campaign for the North Texas region, as the former governor of [[California]] challenged President Ford, the favorite of establishment Republicans, including Senator Tower. The two other co-chairmen, Ernest Angelo and Ray Barnhart organized West Texas and South Texas, respectively, in preparation for the presidential primary.<ref>Hathorn, ''Mayor Ernest Angelo," pp. 77, 81.</ref> Reagan also gained the support of state Senator Betty Andujar (1912-1997), a Republican from Fort Worth. The Reaganites gathered ten times the number of signatures needed to put the Reagan delegate choices on the primary ballot.<ref>Photo caption, ''Dallas Morning News'', February 3, 1976, p. 6A.</ref>

    

    

Staff and John N. Leedom (1921-2011), a [[business]]man and later a Republican member of the Texas State Senate from Dallas and Rockwall counties, headed the Reagan delegate candidates in U.S. House District 3, represented by James Collins. One of the four Ford delegate choices in District 3 was future U.S. Representative and the mayor of Dallas, Steve Bartlett. Leedom led the primary in Dallas with 41,911 votes; Staff followed with 39,030 ballots, and Bartlett trailed with 21,580. Staff recalls the 1976 primary race as a battle between the "establishment" Ford forces and the grassroots insurgents, whom she calls "the volunteers," mostly women. At the time Staff was a member of the large First Baptist Church in downtown Dallas, whose pastor was the nationally known Wallie Amos Criswell (1909-2002). However, her memorial service was held at the St. Andrew [[United Methodist]] Church in Plano.<ref name=deathnotice/> Staff spoke before various groups with the Reagan message. Years later, she recalled the Reagan volunteers as the most dedicated that she had ever encountered in the political arena.<ref>Hathorn, "Mayor Ernest Angelo," p. 82.</ref>

Staff and [[John Leedom]], an [[engineer]] and a [[business]]man and later a Republican member of the Texas State Senate for Dallas and Rockwall counties, headed the Reagan delegate candidates in U.S. House District 3, represented by James Collins. One of the four Ford delegate choices in District 3 was future U.S. Representative and the mayor of Dallas, Steve Bartlett. Leedom led the primary in Dallas with 41,911 votes; Staff followed with 39,030 ballots, and Bartlett trailed with 21,580. Staff recalls the 1976 primary race as a battle between the "establishment" Ford forces and the grassroots insurgents, whom she calls "the volunteers," mostly women. At the time Staff was a member of the large First Baptist Church in downtown Dallas, whose pastor was the nationally known Wallie Amos Criswell (1909-2002). However, her memorial service was held at the St. Andrew [[United Methodist]] Church in Plano.<ref name=deathnotice/> Staff spoke before various groups with the Reagan message. Years later, she recalled the Reagan volunteers as the most dedicated that she had ever encountered in the political arena.<ref>Hathorn, "Mayor Ernest Angelo," p. 82.</ref>

==1976 convention highlights==

==1976 convention highlights==