GOP Involvement in 1985 Following Esther’s tireless campaign efforts for Reagan’s reelection victory, she felt that it was time to serve her adopted country on a volunteer capacity at the federal level as inspired by Mr. John Wu who was a Reagan appointee. Later, she was appointed to serve on the National Advisory and Coordinating Council on Bilingual Education (1985-87) under Secretary William J. Bennett as her vita shows.
After the 1984 GOP National Convention, Dr. Esther Lee was determined to form an Asian/Pacific American group directly under the structure of Texas State Republican Party. She devoted countless hours for this goal. The details of the birth of Texas Asian Republican Caucus (TARC) are in a separate file under “The Birth of TARC.” In addition to “nourishing” the newly formed Texas Asian Republican Caucus (TARC) with the support of state GOP Chair, George Strake Jr., Esther was involved in two major campaigns. State Senator Buster Brown was running for state Attorney General while Texas Railroad Commissioner Kent Hance was running for governor. Unfortunately, they both lost their races.
This year, Vice President George Bush was organizing his presidential campaign committee by forming the Fund for America's Future. Esther was one of the few Texans selected to serve on this honorable exploratory committee for Bush's presidential bid.