Debra Medina
Encyclopedia
Debra Medina was a candidate for the Republican
nomination
in the 2010 Texas gubernatorial election. She participated in the January 14 televised debate with incumbent Governor Rick Perry
and challenger U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
. After subsequently tripling her support in public opinion polls, she was invited to participate alongside her two opponents in a second debate held on January 29.
in Bee County
in south Texas
. She graduated as a registered nurse
from Baptist Memorial Hospital System School of Nursing (now Baptist Health System
) in San Antonio in 1984. She earned her business degree in 1995 from LeTourneau University
in Longview
, Texas. In 2002 she founded and managed Prudentia Inc., a medical billing company based in Wharton, Texas
. She grew up Catholic, but now attends a Baptist church.
’s 2008 presidential campaign, and served as Interim State Coordinator for the Campaign for Liberty. At the 2008 Republican Party of Texas
state convention in Houston, she lost her bid for state GOP vice chairwoman. In 2008, she decided to run for governor.
Prior to the 2008 Republican Party of Texas
state convention, Medina sued the party to ensure that the convention would be held in accordance with the Texas Election Code. The case was originally dismissed on an issue of jurisdiction, but the party demanded $14,000 for attorney fees. Medina appealed the case to the 1st Court of Appeals. In January 2010, she won her appeal when the appeals court ruled that the award was improper and dismissed the case.
In December 2009, Medina filed on the Republican ballot for the 2010 Texas gubernatorial race. In the Republican primary on March 2, 2010, Medina finished with 18.6% of the vote, behind Perry (51.1%) and Hutchison (30.3%).
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
nomination
Nomination
Nomination is part of the process of selecting a candidate for either election to an office, or the bestowing of an honor or award.In the context of elections for public office, a candidate who has been selected by a political party is normally said to be the nominee of that party...
in the 2010 Texas gubernatorial election. She participated in the January 14 televised debate with incumbent Governor Rick Perry
Rick Perry
James Richard "Rick" Perry is the 47th and current Governor of Texas. A Republican, Perry was elected Lieutenant Governor of Texas in 1998 and assumed the governorship in December 2000 when then-governor George W. Bush resigned to become President of the United States. Perry was elected to full...
and challenger U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
Kay Bailey Hutchison
Kathryn Ann Bailey Hutchison, known as Kay Bailey Hutchison , is the senior United States Senator from Texas.She is a member of the Republican Party. In 2001, she was named one of the thirty most powerful women in America by Ladies Home Journal. The first woman to represent Texas in the U.S....
. After subsequently tripling her support in public opinion polls, she was invited to participate alongside her two opponents in a second debate held on January 29.
Early life and business
Medina was born in BeevilleBeeville, Texas
Beeville is a city in Bee County, Texas, United States. The population was 13,129 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Bee County...
in Bee County
Bee County, Texas
Bee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. Bee County was founded December 8, 1857. As of 2010, the population was 31,861. Its county seat is Beeville. Bee County is named for Barnard E...
in south Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. She graduated as a registered nurse
Registered nurse
A registered nurse is a nurse who has graduated from a nursing program at a university or college and has passed a national licensing exam. A registered nurse helps individuals, families, and groups to achieve health and prevent disease...
from Baptist Memorial Hospital System School of Nursing (now Baptist Health System
Baptist Health System
Baptist Health System is a hospital and medical facility system located in San Antonio, Texas.-History:In 1903 a group of 30 or more physicians, members of the young , together with about 30 business and professional men organized the San Antonio Associated Charities which in turn initiated...
) in San Antonio in 1984. She earned her business degree in 1995 from LeTourneau University
LeTourneau University
LeTourneau University is a private, interdenominational Christian university located in Longview, Texas, United States with flagship programs in engineering, aeronautical science, business and education...
in Longview
Longview, Texas
Longview is a city in Gregg and Harrison Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 80,455. Most of the city is located in Gregg County, of which it is the county seat; only a small part extends into the western part of neighboring Harrison County. It is...
, Texas. In 2002 she founded and managed Prudentia Inc., a medical billing company based in Wharton, Texas
Wharton, Texas
Wharton is a city in Wharton County, Texas, United States. The population was 9,237 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Wharton County and is located on the Colorado River of Texas just south of U.S...
. She grew up Catholic, but now attends a Baptist church.
Political involvement
Medina got involved in politics in the 1990s and became Wharton County GOP chairwoman in 2004. She was a high-level volunteer for Ron PaulRon Paul
Ronald Ernest "Ron" Paul is an American physician, author and United States Congressman who is seeking to be the Republican Party candidate in the 2012 presidential election. Paul represents Texas's 14th congressional district, which covers an area south and southwest of Houston that includes...
’s 2008 presidential campaign, and served as Interim State Coordinator for the Campaign for Liberty. At the 2008 Republican Party of Texas
Republican Party of Texas
The Republican Party of Texas is one of the two major political parties in the U.S. State of Texas. It is affiliated with the United States Republican Party. The State Chairman is Steve Munisteri, a retired attorney and businessman from Houston, and the Vice-Chair is Melinda Fredricks of Conroe....
state convention in Houston, she lost her bid for state GOP vice chairwoman. In 2008, she decided to run for governor.
Prior to the 2008 Republican Party of Texas
Republican Party of Texas
The Republican Party of Texas is one of the two major political parties in the U.S. State of Texas. It is affiliated with the United States Republican Party. The State Chairman is Steve Munisteri, a retired attorney and businessman from Houston, and the Vice-Chair is Melinda Fredricks of Conroe....
state convention, Medina sued the party to ensure that the convention would be held in accordance with the Texas Election Code. The case was originally dismissed on an issue of jurisdiction, but the party demanded $14,000 for attorney fees. Medina appealed the case to the 1st Court of Appeals. In January 2010, she won her appeal when the appeals court ruled that the award was improper and dismissed the case.
In December 2009, Medina filed on the Republican ballot for the 2010 Texas gubernatorial race. In the Republican primary on March 2, 2010, Medina finished with 18.6% of the vote, behind Perry (51.1%) and Hutchison (30.3%).