James C. Oberwetter Papers
Scope and Contents
The collection contains primarily correspondence among important Texas Young Republicans and campaign brochures. The brochures cover local, state, and national campaigns throughout the 1960s and early 1970s. Also found are membership directories as well as news clippings and publications about both the Young Republicans and GOP, including a large section on the 1968 national and state elections. Other media include radio and television commercials and photographs from the 1968 Paul Eggers Gubernatorial campaign. Of special note is the play A Comedy of Errors: The Story of the Texas Young Republican Federation: 1967-68, by Jack Brannon that details the frequent infighting within the organization that is a common theme in this collection. Although the collection focuses primarily on the UT Young Republican club, it also mentions other Texas and National YR organizations.
Dates
- Majority of material found in 1963-1972 |Bulk: 1967-1969|
Conditions Governing Access
The materials are open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Southwestern University Distinctive Collections and Archives is the owner of the physical materials in the collections and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from SU Distinctive Collections and Archives before any publication use. Distinctive Collections does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners. Consult repository for more details.
Biographical / Historical
Jim Oberwetter, born November 3, 1944, was a major participant in the burgeoning Texas Republican Party in the 1960’s and 70’s. As a student at the University of Texas he pushed for the expansion of the UT Young Republican Organization, holding office as Vice President in 1965. Seeking higher office within the organization, he became national committeeman in 1966 and eventually ran for state chairman, albeit unsuccessfully. His work with the Young Republicans increased the viability of the Republican Party in state and national politics.
He continued his political career by serving as George H. W. Bush’s press secretary during his time in congress. He stepped out of politics for a time to work in the oil business, becoming Vice President of Hunt Consolidated, a major oil company from Dallas. He returned to politics at the behest of President George W. Bush to serve as ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 2003-2007. In 2007, he founded Oberwetter and Company, a firm dedicated to international business and corporate strategy. As of 2008, he was serving as president of the Dallas Chamber of Commerce.
Extent
1.75 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the SU Distinctive Collections & Archives Repository