Sheila Kuehl
When Kuehl was elected as a Democrat to the California Assembly in 1994 a Republican majority was seated for the first time in 20 years. This was due largely as an out-flowing of the enthusiasm stoked up by Newt Gingrich's strategy supporting Republicans for the Federal Legislature. Kuehl recalled "The Republican majority was quite a different kind of Republican, not a moderate, not a Rockefeller Republican. They were primarily Bible-thumpers and very right-wing. So it was not the most welcoming Republican group, though they loved Zelda Gilroy, and it was very difficult for them because they already liked me so much…. And to their surprise, we all got along very well. ...The Republicans were pretty horrible about LGBT stuff. They all virtually said stuff like, 'Well, they're all spawn of the devil, oh, but not you, Sheila….'"
Gwyn Shea
In making his selection of Shea to succeed Cuellar, Perry described Shea as a "public servant of impeccable character and extraordinary energy. I have known her since we served together in the Texas Legislature, and she has proven herself as an outstanding leader and a committed public servant." For the swearing-in ceremony, Perry invited his future intraparty rival, U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, who lauded Shea’s accomplishments: "Gwyn Shea has blazed trails throughout her life, and the milestone of becoming secretary of state is simply one more in her long and distinguished career. I am confident that she will be excellent in all of the responsibilities of this position." As secretary of state, Shea launched an initiative to reach graduating high school seniors with a voter registration kit. She unveiled the program in San Antonio in the spring of 2002. She also sponsored in elementary schools the essay contest "What Voting Means to Americans".