GOP 1988
This was a very challenging year for two major endeavors: 1) revitalizing the TARC for the general election in November; and 2) involving GOP presidential election after President Reagan’s two terms.
Many TARC meetings and events were held and recorded in the file/section of “Birth of TARC” for the year of 1988 after Esther assumed the chairpersonship. As pledged in her memos, she revitalized the chapters and empowered the entire TARC. Her successor, Pauline Van Tho, a Vietnamese American, was elected by the end of 1988.
Regarding the presidential election, Esther supported Senator Bob Dole during the GOP primary for several reasons. Being a loyal Republican, she continued supporting the GOP primary winner George H. Bush after the Texas Primary in March. Since it was predicable that Bush would win the primary as a native son, she encouraged other Asian/Pacific Americans to support Bush instead of joining her for the Dole’s campaign. After the Texas Primary, all GOP volunteers—including Asian Americans—worked for Bush/Quayle exclusively. Esther’s photo with vice president candidate Dan Quayle at the rally for him was published on October 3rd by the Houston Chronicle.
In this same year, Esther also campaigned for Senator Phil Gramm for his reelection and Congressman Kent Hance’s bidding for Texas Railroad Commissioner again as the files show.
This was a very challenging year for two major endeavors: 1) revitalizing the TARC for the general election in November; and 2) involving GOP presidential election after President Reagan’s two terms.
Many TARC meetings and events were held and recorded in the file/section of “Birth of TARC” for the year of 1988 after Esther assumed the chairpersonship. As pledged in her memos, she revitalized the chapters and empowered the entire TARC. Her successor, Pauline Van Tho, a Vietnamese American, was elected by the end of 1988.
Regarding the presidential election, Esther supported Senator Bob Dole during the GOP primary for several reasons. Being a loyal Republican, she continued supporting the GOP primary winner George H. Bush after the Texas Primary in March. Since it was predicable that Bush would win the primary as a native son, she encouraged other Asian/Pacific Americans to support Bush instead of joining her for the Dole’s campaign. After the Texas Primary, all GOP volunteers—including Asian Americans—worked for Bush/Quayle exclusively. Esther’s photo with vice president candidate Dan Quayle at the rally for him was published on October 3rd by the Houston Chronicle.
In this same year, Esther also campaigned for Senator Phil Gramm for his reelection and Congressman Kent Hance’s bidding for Texas Railroad Commissioner again as the files show.
News 1988
GOP 1989
As usual, the odd-numbered years only hold local elections. In 1989 during the Houston mayoral race, Dr. Esther Lee galvanized Asian Houstonians to support the incumbent, Mayor Kathy Whitmire.
Esther attended the TX State Republican Executive Committee (SREC) on behalf of the TARC chair, Pauline Van Tho held in Austin on March 11, 1989 and attended the National Republican Asian Assembly conference on June 25-26, 1989.
Esther recognized people/members’ involvement in TARC and their contribution to various campaigns. She tried to seek appointments for them at both state and federal levels as the files show. Files: AppointmentslistTX180888 and AppointmentFormTX88 and other correspondences. Meanwhile, Esther was involved in several Asian non-partisan political organizations.
As usual, the odd-numbered years only hold local elections. In 1989 during the Houston mayoral race, Dr. Esther Lee galvanized Asian Houstonians to support the incumbent, Mayor Kathy Whitmire.
Esther attended the TX State Republican Executive Committee (SREC) on behalf of the TARC chair, Pauline Van Tho held in Austin on March 11, 1989 and attended the National Republican Asian Assembly conference on June 25-26, 1989.
Esther recognized people/members’ involvement in TARC and their contribution to various campaigns. She tried to seek appointments for them at both state and federal levels as the files show. Files: AppointmentslistTX180888 and AppointmentFormTX88 and other correspondences. Meanwhile, Esther was involved in several Asian non-partisan political organizations.
