Changes

==Texas GOP chairman==

==Texas GOP chairman==

In September 2009, Texas GOP State Chairman Tina Benkiser announced her resignation at the quarterly State Republican Executive Committee meeting in Austin. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lonestarreport.org/Home/tabid/38/EntryId/265/Benkiser-explains-Texas-GOP-chairman-resignation-joining-Perry-campaign.aspx|title=Benkiser explains Texas GOP chairman resignation, joining Perry campaign, September 26, 2009|publisher=lonestarreport.org|accessdate=September 26, 2009}}</ref> Under Texas law, each major party must at all times have a woman as either its chairman or vice-chairman.  Since Vice-Chairman Robin Armstrong of Galveston County did not relinquish his position to seek to succeed Benkiser as state chairman, only a woman could be elected to fill the position. On October 24, 2009, the SREC elected Texas GOP National Committeewoman [[Cathie Adams]] as Benkiser's successor by a vote of thirty-six to twenty-five.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kcbd.com/story/11376907/cathie-adams-elected-texas-republican-party-chairwoman|title=Cathie Adams elected Texas Republican Party Chairwoman, October 24, 2009|publisher=kcbd.com|accessdate=September 26, 2009}}</ref>  

In September 2009, Texas GOP State Chairman Tina Benkiser announced her resignation at the quarterly State Republican Executive Committee meeting in Austin. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lonestarreport.org/Home/tabid/38/EntryId/265/Benkiser-explains-Texas-GOP-chairman-resignation-joining-Perry-campaign.aspx|title=Benkiser explains Texas GOP chairman resignation, joining Perry campaign, September 26, 2009|publisher=lonestarreport.org|accessdate=September 26, 2009}}</ref> Under Texas law, each major party must at all times have a woman as either its chairman or vice-chairman.  Since Vice-Chairman Robin Armstrong of Galveston County did not relinquish his position to seek to succeed Benkiser as state chairman, only a woman could be elected to fill the position. On October 24, 2009, the SREC elected Texas GOP National Committeewoman Cathie Adams as Benkiser's successor by a vote of thirty-six to twenty-five.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kcbd.com/story/11376907/cathie-adams-elected-texas-republican-party-chairwoman|title=Cathie Adams elected Texas Republican Party Chairwoman, October 24, 2009|publisher=kcbd.com|accessdate=September 26, 2009}}</ref>  

On January 22, 2010, Munisteri announced his candidacy for State Chairman citing a desire to make the RPT a "more effective organization" by utilizing his "strong business administrative skills". <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.texasinsider.org/?p=20916|title=Houston’s Stephen Munisteri Announces for Republican Party Chairman, January 22, 2010|publisher=texasinsider.org|accessdate=January 22, 2010}}</ref> He was the second declared challenger in the race, as former SREC member Tom Mechler of [[Amarillo, Texas|Amarillo]], had announced his candidacy the previous summer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.texasinsider.org/?p=10498|title=Tom Mechler to Run for Republican Party Chair, June 10, 2009|publisher=texasinsider.org|accessdate=June 10, 2009}}</ref>

On January 22, 2010, Munisteri announced his candidacy for state chairman citing a desire to make the RPT a "more effective organization" by utilizing his "strong business administrative skills". <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.texasinsider.org/?p=20916|title=Houston’s Stephen Munisteri Announces for Republican Party Chairman, January 22, 2010|publisher=texasinsider.org|accessdate=January 22, 2010}}</ref> He was the second declared challenger in the race, as former SREC member Tom Mechler of [[Amarillo]], had announced his candidacy the previous summer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.texasinsider.org/?p=10498|title=Tom Mechler to Run for Republican Party Chair, June 10, 2009|publisher=texasinsider.org|accessdate=June 10, 2009}}</ref>

During the campaign for state chairman, Munisteri cited the need to reduce recurring party debt which had reached over $700,000. He used that as a factor in unseating Adams. Cathie Adams, however, claimed that party finances were in order, but reports upholding her contention were not released to the [[Federal Elections Commission]] or the Texas Ethics Commission. Munisteri brought a large number of youthful supporters to the convention and overwhelmed Adams' effort to win a full two-year term as chairman. Many of these young people were members of Young Conservatives of Texas, a the organization which  Munisteri had founded in 1980.  

During the campaign for state chairman, Munisteri cited the need to reduce recurring party debt which had reached over $700,000. He used that as a factor in unseating Adams. Cathie Adams, however, claimed that party finances were in order, but reports upholding her contention were not released to the [[Federal Election Commission]] or the Texas Ethics Commission. Munisteri brought a large number of youthful supporters to the convention and overwhelmed Adams' effort to win a full two-year term as chairman. Many of these young people were members of Young Conservatives of Texas, a the organization which  Munisteri had founded in 1980.  

On the second day of the convention, delegates voted by senatorial district for the position of state chairman.  Munisteri won thirteen districts, Adams won twelve districts, and Mechler won six.  Since no candidate received a majority of districts, a vote was held in the nominations committee of the convention, and Munisteri won the second ballot by a count of twenty-two to nine.  After the nominations committee presented their results to the full convention, Adams then proceeded to force an unprecedented floor vote for the position, at which point Tom Mechler officially endorsed Munisteri. Then Munisteri addressed the full convention and declared that his differences with Adams are "insignificant to the duty we have to our country." He placed the reelection of Governor [[Rick Parry]] as top priority and then the regaining of Republican majorities in the [[U.S. House]] and the [[U.S. Senate]]. He added, "there's no question we have to get rid of that man in the [[White House]]," a reference to [[U.S. President]] [[Barack Obama]].<ref name=dallas/> In the ensuing floor vote, Munisteri prevailed with a margin of 4,170 to 2,950 for Adams.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lonestarreport.org/Home/tabid/38/EntryId/619/Delegates-vote-Munisteri-as-next-Texas-GOP-chairman.aspx|title=Delegates vote Munisteri as next Texas GOP chairman, June 12, 2010|publisher=lonestarreport.org|accessdate=June 12, 2010}}</ref>

On the second day of the convention, delegates voted by senatorial district for the position of state chairman.  Munisteri won thirteen districts, Adams won twelve districts, and Mechler won six.  Since no candidate received a majority of districts, a vote was held in the nominations committee of the convention, and Munisteri won the second ballot by a count of twenty-two to nine.  After the nominations committee presented their results to the full convention, Adams then proceeded to force an unprecedented floor vote for the position, at which point Tom Mechler officially endorsed Munisteri. Then Munisteri addressed the full convention and declared that his differences with Adams are "insignificant to the duty we have to our country." He placed the reelection of Governor [[Rick Perry]] as top priority and then the regaining of Republican majorities in the [[U.S. House]] and the [[U.S. Senate]]. He added, "there's no question we have to get rid of that man in the [[White House]]," a reference to [[U.S. President]] [[Barack H. Obama]].<ref name=dallas/> In the ensuing floor vote, Munisteri prevailed with a margin of 4,170 to 2,950 for Adams.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lonestarreport.org/Home/tabid/38/EntryId/619/Delegates-vote-Munisteri-as-next-Texas-GOP-chairman.aspx|title=Delegates vote Munisteri as next Texas GOP chairman, June 12, 2010|publisher=lonestarreport.org|accessdate=June 12, 2010}}</ref>

Ed Hubbard, a Harris County delegate who supported Munisteri over Adams, said that the [[Republican Party (United States)|GOP]] must be a "functioning statewide political organization focused on winning elections . . .  to keep Texas in the Republican column, and keep its policies conservative." Hubbard offered three reasons for his support of Munisteri:

Ed Hubbard, a Harris County delegate who supported Munisteri over Adams, said that the [[Republican Party (United States)|GOP]] must be a "functioning statewide political organization focused on winning elections . . .  to keep Texas in the Republican column, and keep its policies conservative." Hubbard offered three reasons for his support of Munisteri:

Few state chairmen have presided over a more successful party than Munisteri. The Texas GOP in 2011 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 2011 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.

==References==

==References==