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{{Infobox person

{{Infobox person

|name=Barbara Ruth Wright Staff<br>

|name=Barbara Ruth Wright Staff<br>

(Republican political activist;<br> co-chairman of the Ronald Reagan primary campaign in Texas, 1976)

(Republican political activist;<br> co-chairman of the Ronald Reagan presidential primary campaign<br> in Texas, 1976)

|nationality=[[United States|American]]

|nationality=[[United States|American]]

|birth_date=August 26, 1924

|birth_date=August 26, 1924

|death_date=

|death_date=July 29, 2019 (aged 94)

|death_place=

|death_place=[[Plano]], Texas

|birth_place=Cleburne, Johnson County,<br> [[Texas]], [[United States|USA]]<br>

|birth_place=Godley, Johnson County,<br> [[Texas]], [[United States|USA]]<br>

Residences:<br>

Residences:<br>

[[Dallas]], Texas<br>

[[Dallas]], Texas<br>

Barbara Ellen Kimberly (deceased)}}

Barbara Ellen Kimberly (deceased)}}

'''Barbara Ruth Wright Staff''' (born August 26, 1924) is a retired [[Republican Party|Republican]] political activist from [[Plano]], [[Texas]].  She was one of three co-chairmen of her state's 1976 [[Ronald Reagan]] presidential primary campaign, along with [[Ernest Angelo, Jr.]], a former [[mayor]] of [[Midland]], and Ray Anderson Barnhart (1928-2013), a former state legislator from [[Houston, Texas|Houston]], who worked in the Federal Highway Administraton under President Reagan.

'''Barbara Ruth Wright Staff''' (born August 26, 1924 &ndash; July 29, 2019)<ref name=deathnotice>{{cite web|url=https://obits.dallasnews.com/obituaries/dallasmorningnews/obituary.aspx?pid=193671207|title=Barbara Staff obituary|publisher=''The Dallas Morning News''|date=August 18, 2019|accessdate=September 18, 2019}}</ref> was a [[Republican Party|Republican]] political activist from [[Plano]], [[Texas]], one of the three co-chairmen of her state's 1976 [[Ronald Reagan]] presidential primary campaign, along with [[Ernest Angelo, Jr.]], a former [[mayor]] of [[Midland]], and [[Ray Barnhart]], a former state legislator from [[suburb]]an [[Houston, Texas|Houston]], a state Republican chairman, and the director of the Federal Highway Administraton under President Reagan.

==Background==

==Background==

Staff was born in Cleburne in Johnson County in [[suburb]]an [[Fort Worth]], to Robert Floyd Wright and the former Hazel Bishop. She graduated from the former Crozier Technical High School, earlier known as Dallas Technical High School in [[Dallas]], Texas, and studied at the University of North Texas in [[Denton, Texas|Denton]] and received her [[Bachelor of Arts]] from [[Southern Methodist University]] in University Park in Dallas County. She and her husband, businessman William Stewart Staff (1919–1995),<ref name=ssdi>{{cite web|url=http://ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi|title=Social Security Death Index|publisher=ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com|accessdate=March 8, 2011}}</ref> a  native of [[Washington]] State and formerly of [[Illinois]], had two daughters, Susan S. Causey (born c. 1952, wife of Paul Franklin Causey) of Grapevine, Texas, and Barbara Ellen Kimberly (1945–1990)<ref name=ssdi/> of  Bastrop, Texas, the wife of a [[Baptist]] pastor.

Staff was born in Godley, near Cleburne, in Johnson County in [[suburb]]an [[Fort Worth]], to Robert Floyd Wright and the former Hazel Bishop. She graduated from the former Crozier Technical High School, earlier known as Dallas Technical High School in [[Dallas]], Texas, and studied at the University of North Texas in [[Denton, Texas|Denton]] and received her [[Bachelor of Arts]] from [[Southern Methodist University]] in University Park in Dallas County. She and her husband, businessman William Stewart Staff (1919–1995),<ref name=ssdi>{{cite web|url=http://ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi|title=Social Security Death Index|publisher=ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com|accessdate=March 8, 2011}}</ref> a  native of [[Washington]] State and formerly of [[Illinois]], had two daughters, Susan S. Causey (born 1953, the wife of Paul Franklin Causey) of Grapevine, Texas, and Barbara Ellen Kimberly (1945–1990)<ref name=ssdi/> of  Bastrop, Texas, the wife of David Kimberly, a [[Baptist]] pastor.

In 1970, Staff took a political science course at the University of North Texas and became "furious ... with my radical liberal professor. I didn't think things were as bad as he was touting them to be."<ref name=sweeney>Julia Sweeney, "Barbara Staff picks GOP over Jamaica," the defunct ''Dallas Times Herald'', August 20, 1976, p. E3.</ref> Thereafter, Staff became heavily involved in [[conservative politics and Republican women's activities. She worked in the campaigns of [[U.S. Representative]] James Mitchell "Jim" Collins (1916-1989) of Dallas, whose political career ended in 1982, when he lost a bid for the [[U.S. Senate]] to [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] [[Lloyd Bentsen]]. She also served as a volunteer in Collins' office, which she described as "quite a training ground. After you've worked in that office, you're equipped to do anything."<ref name=sweeney/>

In 1970, Staff took a political science course at the University of North Texas and became "furious ... with my radical liberal professor. I didn't think things were as bad as he was touting them to be."<ref name=sweeney>Julia Sweeney, "Barbara Staff picks GOP over Jamaica," the defunct ''Dallas Times Herald'', August 20, 1976, p. E3.</ref> Thereafter, Staff became heavily involved in conservative politics and Republican women's activities. She worked in the campaigns of [[U.S. Representative]] James Mitchell "Jim" Collins (1916-1989) of Dallas, whose political career ended in 1982, when he lost a bid for the [[U.S. Senate]] to [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] [[Lloyd Bentsen]]. She also served as a volunteer in Collins' office, which she described as "quite a training ground. After you've worked in that office, you're equipped to do anything."<ref name=sweeney/>

==Working to nominate Reagan==

==Working to nominate Reagan==

Staff was the president of a group called the Council of Republican Women's Clubs of Dallas County, from which position she launched a successful membership program known as "I Believe."<ref name=calhoun>Ron Calhoun, "Reagan forces gearing for North Texas campaign,"  ''Dallas Times Herald'', December 21, 1975, p. F1.</ref> In December 1975, Staff, Angelo, and Ray Barnhart attended the two-day Southern Republican Conference in [[Austin]], hosted by state party chairman Ray Hutchison of Dallas. Then [[U.S. President]] [[Gerald Ford]], himself absent from the gathering, was represented by his first campaign manager, former U.S. Representative Howard Hollis "Bo" Callaway, Sr. (1927-2014) of [[Georgia]], [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] [[Nelson Rockefeller]], [[U.S. Senator]] [[John Tower]] of Texas, and two Cabinet secretaries [[Earl Butz]] and William E. Simon. Also present at the conference was the uncommitted [[John Connally]], the former Democratic [[governor]] of Texas who switched parties in 1973. Connally had been expected to enter the 1976 race as a dark horse contender,<ref>Dave Montgomery, "Ford-Reagan tug-of-war expected at conference," ''Dallas Times Herald'', December 7, 1975, p. A-37.</ref> but he did not run until 1980, when he was compelled to withdraw after losing the [[South Carolina]] [[primary]].

Staff was the president of a group called the Council of Republican Women's Clubs of Dallas County, from which position she launched a successful membership program known as "I Believe."<ref name=calhoun>Ron Calhoun, "Reagan forces gearing for North Texas campaign,"  ''Dallas Times Herald'', December 21, 1975, p. F1.</ref> In December 1975, Staff, Angelo, and Ray Barnhart attended the two-day Southern Republican Conference in [[Austin]], hosted by state party chairman Ray Hutchison of Dallas. Then [[U.S. President]] [[Gerald Ford]], himself absent from the gathering, was represented by his first campaign manager, former U.S. Representative Howard Hollis "Bo" Callaway, Sr. (1927-2014) of [[Georgia]], [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] [[Nelson Rockefeller]], [[U.S. Senator]] [[John Tower]] of Texas, and two Cabinet secretaries Earl Lauer Butz (1909-2008), and William Edward  Simon (1927-2000). Also present at the conference was the uncommitted [[John Connally]], the former Democratic [[governor]] of Texas who switched parties in 1973. Connally had been expected to enter the 1976 race as a dark horse contender,<ref>Dave Montgomery, "Ford-Reagan tug-of-war expected at conference," ''Dallas Times Herald'', December 7, 1975, p. A-37.</ref> but he did not run until 1980, when he was compelled to withdraw after losing the [[South Carolina]] [[primary]].

Staff accused President Ford of having "deviated from the conservative mold and had surrounded himself with liberal advisors."<ref>Billy Hathorn, "Mayor Ernest Angelo, Jr., of Midland and the 96-0 Reagan Sweep of Texas, May 1, 1976," ''West Texas Historical Association Yearbook'' Vol. 86 (2010), p. 81.</ref> Staff said that "Ford has deviated more and more from Republican party principles while Reagan stands up for those principles. ... I don't know if it's as much Ford's fault as it is the advisors he has surrounded himself with."<ref name=calhoun/>

Staff accused President Ford of having "deviated from the conservative mold and had surrounded himself with liberal advisors."<ref>Billy Hathorn, "Mayor Ernest Angelo, Jr., of Midland and the 96-0 Reagan Sweep of Texas, May 1, 1976," ''West Texas Historical Association Yearbook'' Vol. 86 (2010), p. 81.</ref> Staff said that "Ford has deviated more and more from Republican party principles while Reagan stands up for those principles. ... I don't know if it's as much Ford's fault as it is the advisors he has surrounded himself with."<ref name=calhoun/>

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 presidental 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). 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==

Ray Barnhart criticized [[First Lady]] [[Betty Ford]] for having "danced a jig" with singer Tony Orlando when [[Nancy Reagan]] made her entrance to the convention hall; Staff termed Mrs. Ford's behavior "a low, cheap shot" to divert attention from the Reagan campaign.<ref name=convention>"Convention Notes: No love lost between Texans, Betty Ford," ''Dallas Morning News'', August 19, 1976, p. 6A.</ref> Staff found that the Ford managers at the convention deliberately made it inconvenient for the Reaganites. "As far as the seating in the arena, the Texas delegation barely got in. They had us stuck way over to the side where the presiding officer couldn't even see us if we wanted to get recognition. . . . "<ref name=sweeney/> Gwen Pharo of Dallas agreed with Staff about the "shabby treatment" of the Texas delegation by the Ford backers would undoubtedly mean a lack of enthusiasm for the fall campaign.<ref name=barta/>

Ray Barnhart criticized [[First Lady]] [[Betty Ford]] for having "danced a jig" with singer Tony Orlando when [[Nancy Reagan]] made her entrance to the convention hall; Staff termed Mrs. Ford's behavior "a low, cheap shot" to divert attention from the Reagan campaign.<ref name=convention>"Convention Notes: No love lost between Texans, Betty Ford," ''Dallas Morning News'', August 19, 1976, p. 6A.</ref> Staff found that the Ford managers at the convention deliberately made it inconvenient for the Reaganites. "As far as the seating in the arena, the Texas delegation barely got in. They had us stuck way over to the side where the presiding officer couldn't even see us if we wanted to get recognition. . . . "<ref name=sweeney/> Gwen Pharo of Dallas agreed with Staff about the "shabby treatment" of the Texas delegation by the Ford backers would undoubtedly mean a lack of enthusiasm for the fall campaign.<ref name=barta/>

Staff took an informal survey of the Texas delegates and found few Reaganites favored Reagan becoming Ford's vice-presidential choice to replace Nelson Rockefeller: "The delegates really don't want to see him in that spot, but I sure don't want him to go home and start rocking on his front porch.".<ref name=vpspot>"Texans support light for Reagan as V-P pick," ''Dallas Morning News'', August 19, 1976, p. 6A.</ref>  Staff said that a fifth of the Texas delegates would want Reagan in the vice-presidential spot, but more than a fourth favored Connally in the secondary position. There was little support of Senator Howard Henry Baker, Jr., of [[Tennessee]] and no mention of the eventual choice, Robert Dole, she said.<ref name=vpspot/>

Staff took an informal survey of the Texas delegates and found few Reaganites favored Reagan becoming Ford's vice-presidential choice to replace Nelson Rockefeller: "The delegates really don't want to see him in that spot, but I sure don't want him to go home and start rocking on his front porch.".<ref name=vpspot>"Texans support light for Reagan as V-P pick," ''Dallas Morning News,'' August 19, 1976, p. 6A.</ref>  Staff said that a fifth of the Texas delegates would want Reagan in the vice-presidential spot, but more than a fourth favored Connally in the secondary position. There was little support of Senator Howard Henry Baker, Jr., of [[Tennessee]] and no mention of the eventual choice, Robert Dole, she said.<ref name=vpspot/>

Staff recalled that Senator John Tower spent much of his time at the convention with the [[Mississippi]] delegation, which swung to Ford near the end of the deliberations. Tower did not address the phalanx of Reagan backers in his own state delegation.<ref name=convention/> In later years Tower's estrangement from his former conservative backers intensified when he supported [[abortion]] and challenged President Reagan's [[Strategic Defense Initiative]].<ref>[[John Tower]], ''Consequences: A Personal and Political Memoir'' ([[Boston, Massachusetts]]: Little Brown and Company, 1991), 42, 118-119.</ref>

Staff recalled that Senator John Tower spent much of his time at the convention with the [[Mississippi]] delegation, which swung to Ford near the end of the deliberations. Tower did not address the phalanx of Reagan backers in his own state delegation.<ref name=convention/> In later years Tower's estrangement from his former conservative backers intensified when he supported [[abortion]] and challenged President Reagan's [[Strategic Defense Initiative]].<ref>[[John Tower]], ''Consequences: A Personal and Political Memoir'' ([[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]]: Little Brown and Company, 1991), 42, 118-119.</ref>

==Other activities==

==Other activities==

Among her civic activities, Staff has been a volunteer for [[Parkland Hospital]] and the Dallas County Heritage Society.<ref name=sweeney/> She is also a member of the[Texas State Historical Association, now based in Denton.

Among her civic activities, Staff was a volunteer for Parkland Hospital, where [[John F. Kennedy]] was pronounced dead in 1963, and the Dallas County Heritage Society.<ref name=sweeney/> She was a member of the Texas State Historical Association.

==References==

==References==