Pro Texana

Houston lawyer and businessman Steve Munisteri has announced his intention to seek the chairmanship of the Republican Party of Texas at its June, 2010 convention.

Munisteri has a 38-year long history of activism, leadership and financial support for conservative and Republican causes. He was the founding chairman of Young Conservatives of Texas when it broke ranks from Young Americans for Freedom 30 years ago.  He has served as a member of the State Republican Executive Committee, as a precinct chair, a delegate to multiple county, state and national GOP conventions, and as an organizer in Texas and other states for Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, Fred Thompson and John McCain.

Munisteri stated, “I believe both the Republican Party of Texas as well as our country are at crossroads.  Our country, which after the election of Ronald Reagan moved in the direction of free enterprise, entrepreneurship, strong national defense, less government intrusion in our lives, and lower tax rates, has been dramatically moved to the left by President Obama with massive government programs and bailouts.  Republicans have a unique window of opportunity to reverse some of these disastrous Obama policies before it is too late, but must act quickly to seize momentum.”

Munisteri went on to explain his view of the Chairman’s role, “However, to do so, the Republican Party must be a more effective organization, and that is why I am seeking the role of Chairman.  Although I am a solid Conservative I believe the Republican Party must do a better job at reaching beyond just its base to independent and minority voters without sacrificing its core beliefs.  Most important to this effort, the Republican Party must do a much better job of reaching minority communities, especially the Hispanic community.”

Munisteri further stated that “in order for the Republican Party to remain a majority party in Texas, a new state Chairman must also be able to work all of the various activists and groups who are disenchanted with the liberal Democrats and Congress.  It is vital to ongoing Republican success to keep all of these groups within the party.”

In addition to uniting the party, Munisteri will seek to put the party back on sound financial footing.  He has the support of Bill McMinn and Mike Boylan, two key supporters and organizers of Associated Republicans of Texas, and former state party finance chair Rob Mosbacher.  This blogger also serves as his campaign treasurer.  In the short few weeks of campaigning in 2009, he raised $26,000 and had pledges of an additional $40,000.

Munisteri, who is retired from his law practice, will campaign full-time for the job, and if elected as chair, will be a full-time chairman.    The campaign has opened a headquarters located at 3637 W. Alabama #210, Houston, Texas 77027.