Draft:Susan Weddington

Susan Baker Weddington (April 6, 1951 – September 1, 2020) was an American businesswoman and political figure, primarily known for her pivotal role in the Republican Party of Texas. She notably served as the state chairman of the Republican Party from 1997 to 2003, becoming the first female to chair either major party in Texas. Weddington's tenure witnessed significant developments within the Texas GOP, including a resurgence of social conservatism and historic electoral victories.

Background and Personal Life
Born on April 6, 1951, in Detroit, Michigan, Susan Weddington was the daughter of Elaine R. Baird and Louis C. Baker. Her family relocated to San Antonio, Texas, in 1952, where she spent much of her childhood. Weddington completed her education at Alamo Heights High School in 1969 and later graduated from Trinity University in 1983.

A member of the Concordia Lutheran Church, Weddington was deeply involved in her faith community and served as a Stephen Minister.

She had a son, Sean Caldwell (1972-2018), and three grandchildren from her first marriage, Skyler, Seth and Greyson Caldwell, to Ernie Caldwell (1947-2015). She later married Bob Weddington (1932-2015).

Early Political Involvement
Weddington was formerly employed by the medical device company Kinetic Concepts, owned by fellow San Antonio Republican and businessman James R. Leininger (born 1944). Leininger was a major donor to Governor Rick Perry, other Republican candidates, and evangelical and conservative causes, especially those regarding education.

In 1990, Weddington placed a black wreath that read “Death to the Family” at the door of the campaign headquarters in Austin for the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, Ann Richards. Richards later won the election against Republican candidate Clayton Williams. At the state Republican convention that year, she participated in a prayer rally and called upon the Almighty to “watch over the caucus rooms and the convention hall.”

Weddington was also Chief of Staff for Texas State Representative Frank Corte. In 1994, she became vice-chairman of the Texas Republican Party under chair Tom Pauken. Pauken and Weddington's tenure in the Texas GOP was marked by a shift towards evangelical, grassroots-oriented politics, emphasizing pro-life and pro-family values.

Texas GOP chairman
In 1997, after Pauken resigned, Weddington was elected chairman of the Texas Republican Party. During Weddington's chairmanship, the Republican Party of Texas experienced remarkable success, capturing every statewide office and securing majorities in the state legislature for the first time in over a century.

She also broke tradition by involving herself in state primary elections, where party chairs usually remain neutral in primaries and wait until general elections to endorse the party nominee. Around this time, Leininger was the top contributor to the Republican Party of Texas, and continued to have massive influence over Texas politics.

In 1998, Weddington supported an amendment at the Republican National Convention to ban party funds for candidates and office-holders who didn’t support a ban on partial-birth abortion.

In 2000, she openly supported then-Governor George W. Bush for the Republican Presidential nomination, claiming a large portion of Senator John McCain’s voter base came from Democrats and Independents voting in Republican primaries. She said the following about Sen. McCain’s strategy in the primaries: “When [McCain] says 'My home is the Republican Party', I don't question that for a minute. I just think, in his eagerness, he may become a home wrecker."

In the same election cycle, Weddington held a press conference a couple of days before the start of early voting to show her support for Texas Supreme Justices Al Gonzales and Nathan Hecht. She also supported Railroad Commission Chairman Michael Williams too against Republican opponent Andy Draughn.

In 2002, Weddington again broke from neutrality by cutting a commercial of a moderate Republican state senate candidate, Jeff Wentworth, in favor of the more conservative candidate. Wentworth, a strong supporter of abortion, nevertheless won.

Weddington continued to voice her anti-abortion stance during the 2002 Texas gubernatorial race. She said the following about Democratic nominee Tony Sanchez, after Sanchez, a “devout Catholic,” voiced a pro-choice stance: “How can you trust someone who will compromise their own fundamental principles as deeply as those regarding the sanctity of life? How can you trust him on anything else he says?”

In 2003, Weddington stepped down from her position as Chairwoman of the Republican Party of Texas. She was succeeded as Texas GOP chair by Tina Benseker.

President of the OneStar Foundation
Following her resignation as Texas GOP chairwoman in 2003, Weddington was appointed President of the OneStar Foundation by former Texas Governor Rick Perry. The OneStar Foundation is a non-profit organization appointed by Perry, aimed at fostering volunteerism and philanthropy across the state.

However, her tenure at the OneStar Foundation faced scrutiny over allegations that the organization's "Faith-based" initiatives were being utilized as covert political tools, as Weddington openly supported Governor Rick Perry in his reelection campaigns and the organization’s platform was used to promote conservative pastors. Weddington resigned as president and retired in 2009.