In 1976 , Mengden led a slate of delegates in Texas 's 7th congressional district pledged to former Governor Ronald W. Reagan of California , who was challenging U.S. President Gerald R. Ford , Jr. , at the Republican National Convention in Kansas City , Missouri . Mengden defeated Robert Mosbacher of Houston , the leader of the Ford forces . Mengden polled 39,276 votes to Mosbacher 's 26,344 . Mosbacher was later a Cabinet officer in the administration of Reagan 's vice president and successor , George Herbert Walker Bush . Mengden prevailed with 39,276 votes to Mosbacher 's 26,344 votes . He was hence among the one hundred Texas delegates at Kansas City committed to Reagan
Republican National Convention
1976 Republican National Convention
Walter Mengden