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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]] (YAF). In 1980, he founded the [[Young Conservatives of Texas]] (YCT). <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>

Munisteri was reared in Houston, where his father was an officer of Brown and Root, later president of Enserch Engineers and Construction, Comstock International, and the Texas division of Ford, Bacon & Davis. His mother was first a homemaker but later an editor of professors' textbooks at [[Rice University]] in Houston and still performs such work on a contract basis. Munisteri has three brothers and two sisters. He graduated from Memorial High School in the Hedwig Village section of Houston, where he was in the National Honor Society and the debate team. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the [[University of Texas]] at [[Austin, Texas|Austin]] and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas Law School, completing both degrees in five, instead of the customary seven, years. With his law degree in hand, Munisteri returned to Houston to open his solo law practice, which he continued in partnership with others, for twenty-seven years.<ref name=bio>{{cite web|url=http://www.betweenthesynapse.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Bio-explained-3.pdf|title=Biography: Personal Information for Stephen P. Munisteri|publisher=betweenthesynapse.com|accessdate=September 27, 2010}}</ref> Munisteri founded the firm on November 1, 1982, the day before the defeat of [[Bill Clements]] as the first Republican governor of Texas since 1873. The firm is now known as Sprott, Rigby, Newson, Robbins & Lunceford, P.C.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.msrnr.net/ourhistory.htm|title=Our History|publisher=msrnr.net|accessdate=September 27, 2010}}</ref>  

Munisteri was reared in Houston, where his father was an officer of Brown and Root, later president of Enserch Engineers and Construction, Comstock International, and the Texas division of Ford, Bacon & Davis. His mother was first a homemaker but later an editor of professors' textbooks at [[Rice University]] in Houston and still performs such work on a contract basis. Munisteri has three brothers and two sisters. He graduated from Memorial High School in the Hedwig Village section of Houston, where he was in the National Honor Society and the debate team. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the [[University of Texas]] at [[Austin, Texas|Austin]] and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas Law School, completing both degrees in five, instead of the customary seven, years. With his law degree in hand, Munisteri returned to Houston to open his solo law practice, which he continued in partnership with others, for twenty-seven years.<ref name=bio>{{cite web|url=http://www.betweenthesynapse.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Bio-explained-3.pdf|title=Biography: Personal Information for Stephen P. Munisteri|publisher=betweenthesynapse.com|accessdate=September 27, 2010}}</ref> Munisteri founded the firm on November 1, 1982, the day before the defeat of [[Bill Clements]] as the first Republican governor of Texas since 1873. The firm is now known as Sprott, Rigby, Newson, Robbins & Lunceford, P.C.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.msrnr.net/ourhistory.htm|title=Our History|publisher=msrnr.net|accessdate=September 27, 2010}}</ref>  

   

   

Munisteri is divorced from the former Deanna Armstrong, whom he met through the University of Texas during the unsuccessful 1976 [[Ronald W. Reagan]] presidential campaign. They rode together on a bus from Austin to [[Kansas City]], [[Missouri]], to attend the 1976 Republican National Convention<ref name=bio/> at the Kemper Arena, which nominated [[U.S. President]] [[Gerald Ford]], and then [[U.S. Senator]] [[Robert J. Dole]] of [[Kansas]] for [[Vice President of the United States|vice president]]. Munisteri is a [[Presbyterian]]. The couple had no children.<ref name=bio/>

Munisteri is divorced from the former Deanna Armstrong, whom he met through the University of Texas during the unsuccessful 1976 [[Ronald W. Reagan]] presidential campaign. They rode together on a bus from Austin to [[Kansas City]], [[Missouri]], to attend the 1976 Republican National Convention<ref name=bio/> held at the Kemper Arena, which nominated [[U.S. President]] [[Gerald Ford]], and then [[U.S. Senator]] [[Robert J. Dole]] of [[Kansas]] for [[Vice President of the United States|vice president]]. Munisteri is a [[Presbyterian]]. The couple had no children.<ref name=bio/>

Munisteri is also a [[boxing]] promoter in Houston.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=10420&more=1|title=http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=10420&more=1|title= Travis Walker and Raphael Butler, both of Whom Decked Vitali Klitschko in Sparring, Co-Headline Friday, April 6, on ShoBox, March 31, 2007|publisher=eastsideboxing.com|accessdate=September 29, 2010}}</ref> Munisteri Sports & Entertainment, Inc., teamed with Worldwide Entertainment and Sports Corp. of West Orange, [[New Jersey]], to oversee seven heavyweight boxers under Munisteri's direction. The boxers were Obed Sullivan, Derrick Banks, Talmadge Griffis, David Bostice, Ed Wright, Robert Davis, and Ike Ibeabuchi. However, the joint arrangement failed, and Munisteri is retiring from the boxing business. He still manages one fighter and handles announcing and color commentary for boxing shows.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://austinnovation.wordpress.com/2010/07/01/steve-munisteri-boxing/|title=John Egan, Ten years before Texas GOP chairmanship, Steve Munisteri boxing deal fell through the ropes|publisher=austininnovation.wordpress.com|accessdate=September 29, 2010}}</ref>

Munisteri is also a [[boxing]] promoter in Houston.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=10420&more=1|title=http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=10420&more=1|title= Travis Walker and Raphael Butler, both of Whom Decked Vitali Klitschko in Sparring, Co-Headline Friday, April 6, on ShoBox, March 31, 2007|publisher=eastsideboxing.com|accessdate=September 29, 2010}}</ref> Munisteri Sports & Entertainment, Inc., teamed with Worldwide Entertainment and Sports Corp. of West Orange, [[New Jersey]], to oversee seven heavyweight boxers under Munisteri's direction. The boxers were Obed Sullivan, Derrick Banks, Talmadge Griffis, David Bostice, Ed Wright, Robert Davis, and Ike Ibeabuchi. However, the joint arrangement failed, and Munisteri is retiring from the boxing business. He still manages one fighter and handles announcing and color commentary for boxing shows.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://austinnovation.wordpress.com/2010/07/01/steve-munisteri-boxing/|title=John Egan, Ten years before Texas GOP chairmanship, Steve Munisteri boxing deal fell through the ropes|publisher=austininnovation.wordpress.com|accessdate=September 29, 2010}}</ref>

==Early political involvement==

==Early political involvement==

Munisteri was active in politics early in his teenage years, first working as a volunteer for the campaigns of Texas Republicans [[Henry C. Grover]] and [[John G. Tower]] in 1972, when the two top Republicans were at odds with each other.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.texastribune.org/texas-people/steve-munisteri/about/|title=Tribpedia: Steve Munisteri|publisher=texastribune.org}}</ref> He formed a  conservative club at Memorial High School. In 1976, Munisteri was elected state vice chairman for Texas Young Americans for Freedom, was an active volunteer for Ronald Reagan and attended the 1976 Republican National Convention. From 1977 to 1980, he served as State Chairman for YAF and was also elected to YAF's national board of directors. Under Munisteri's chairmanship, YAF began the practice of issuing legislative rankings for members of the Texas House of Representatives. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://rwkctx.org/PDF/january2011newsletter.pdf|title=Steve Munisteri, January 20, 2011|publisher=lonestarreport.org|accessdate=January 20, 2011}}</ref>

Munisteri was active in politics early in his teenage years, first working as a volunteer for the campaigns of Texas Republicans [[Henry C. Grover]] and [[John G. Tower]] in 1972, when the two top Republicans were at odds with each other.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.texastribune.org/texas-people/steve-munisteri/about/|title=Tribpedia: Steve Munisteri|publisher=texastribune.org}}</ref> He formed a  conservative club at Memorial High School. In 1976, Munisteri was elected state vice chairman for Texas Young Americans for Freedom, was an active volunteer for Ronald Reagan, and attended the 1976 Republican National Convention. From 1977 to 1980, he served as state chairman of the YAF and was also elected to YAF's national board of directors. Under Munisteri's chairmanship, YAF began the practice of issuing legislative rankings for members of the Texas House of Representatives, a number of whom had more liberal voting records than their constituents had believed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rwkctx.org/PDF/january2011newsletter.pdf|title=Steve Munisteri, January 20, 2011|publisher=lonestarreport.org|accessdate=January 20, 2011}}</ref>

 

In 1980, having experienced dissatisfaction with the top-down leadership of the national YAF organization, Munisteri at the February 1980 convention proposed a new Texas-based conservative organization to the Texas YAF board. The board voted unanimously to create a new organization named Young Conservatives of Texas. The organization was officially founded on Texas Independence Day, March 2, 1980 at the Driskill Hotel in Austin.  Munisteri served as the first state YCT chairman.<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>

==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 hence 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, having cited 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>

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 sound, 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.  

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 Perry]] as his 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>

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."  

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:

Hubbard offered three reasons for his support of Munisteri:

# Munisteri, he said, has "honestly confronted the actual present condition of the party organization, and has provided a plan to address it and improve it."

# Munisteri, he said, has "honestly confronted the actual present condition of the party organization, and has provided a plan to address it and improve it."

# He has pledged to "use his private-sector experiences to address the challenges facing the party organization."

# He has pledged to "use his private-sector experiences to address the challenges facing the party organization."

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==