{{Short description|American community activist(born 1975)}} {{Infobox person | name = Lisa Fritsch | image = Lisachair.jpeg | birth_name = DeLisa Delley | birth_date = {{birth date and age text|January 2, 1975}} | birth_place = Tyler, Texas, U.S. | education = University of Texas, Austin, St. Mary's University School of Law | alma_mater = University of Texas at Austin | occupation = Lawyer, Author, Public Speaker, Entrepreneur | political_party = Independent (2015–present) <br> Republican (before 2015) | spouse = {{marriage|Michael Fritsch|2000|2017|end=div}} | children = 2 | website = {{URL|www.LisaFritsch.com}} }}
'''DeLisa “Lisa” Fritsch''' (born January 2, 1975) is an American lawyer, author, public speaker, entrepreneur and community activist.<ref name="Lachman">{{Cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/03/lisa-fritsch-governor_n_4876028.html|title=Lisa Fritsch, Candidate For Texas Governor, Wants To Bring About 'New Day For GOP'|last=Lachman|first=Samantha|date=2014-03-03|work=Huffington Post|access-date=2017-03-14|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rantnow.com/2014/02/04/women-of-color-in-the-texas-gop-governor-primary/|title=Women of Color in the Texas GOP Governor Primary|last=Staff|first=Rant|date=2014-02-04|access-date=2017-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.texasgopvote.com/conservative-featured-voice-lisa-fritsch|title=Conservative Featured Voice: Lisa Fritsch|date=2010-08-16|work=TexasGOPVote|access-date=2017-03-14|language=en}}</ref> She was runner up in the 2014 Republican Primary against Greg Abbott for Governor of Texas.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.statesman.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/with-primary-wins-greg-abbott-and-wendy-davis-can-start-their-general-election-engines/SwTLfubiL0aXnBQ0By65IL/|title=With primary wins, Greg Abbott and Wendy Davis can start their general election engines|work=statesman|access-date=2017-05-08}}</ref> She has written three books on politics and social change, one of which, Obama Tea Parties and God, was a local bestseller.<ref name="Endorsed Candidates">{{Cite news|url=http://www.bampac.org/races|title=Endorsed Candidates|work=Black America's PAC|access-date=2017-03-14|language=en}}</ref>
She was the CEO of LisaServes, LLC. She is an attorney at Dell Technologies.
After losing in the Republican Primary for Governor of Texas, Fritsch changed her political affiliation to independent and directed her work and activism towards representing the underrepresented, building diversity and equity for females and women of color as well as minorities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://teamaustin.org/blogs/a-rise-to-new-age-education-diversity-in-tech|title=Team Austin {{!}} A Rise to New-Age Education: Diversity in Tech|website=Team Austin|access-date=2017-03-16}}</ref>
She was a 2015 TEDx presenter for TEDxGreatHillsWomen presenting “The Freedom to be The Angry Black Woman.”<ref name="tedxgreathillswomen.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.tedxgreathillswomen.com/speakers/|title=Presenters {{!}} TEDxGreatHillsWomen|website=www.tedxgreathillswomen.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=TEDx Talks|title=Freedom to be the ABW - The Angry Black Woman {{!}} Lisa Fritsch {{!}} TEDxGreatHillsWomen|date=2016-05-02|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxhcRFNS6SU|accessdate=2017-05-08}}</ref>
== Early life == Fritsch was born in Tyler, Texas<ref name="bampac.org">{{Cite news|url=http://www.bampac.org/races|title=Endorsed Candidates|work=Black America's PAC|access-date=2017-03-13|language=en}}</ref> and raised by her single mother. Her parents divorced when she was five. As an only child and only grandchild on her paternal side, she was surrounded and heavily engaged and influenced by African-American civic and academic leaders in her community. In her youth she studied piano, dance, and was trained and received instruction in etiquette and foreign cultures and martial arts.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.statesman.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/lisa-fritsch-called-run-for-governor/YnD6msF1eNKtY9jGcuoNbM/|title=Lisa Fritsch 'Called' to Run for Governor|work=statesman|access-date=2017-05-08}}</ref>
Fritsch is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a BA Asian Studies: Japanese Language and Literature.
She also studied Japanese at Obirin University in Tokyo, Japan.<ref name="Lisa Fritsch">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nationalcenter.org/bios/P21Speakers_Fritsch.html|title=Lisa Fritsch|website=www.nationalcenter.org|access-date=2017-03-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Lisa_Fritsch|title=Lisa Fritsch - Ballotpedia|access-date=2017-03-13|language=en}}</ref><ref name="TexasGOPVote">{{Cite news|url=http://www.texasgopvote.com/conservative-featured-voice-lisa-fritsch|title=Conservative Featured Voice: Lisa Fritsch|date=2010-08-16|work=TexasGOPVote|access-date=2017-03-13|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://classicrock961.com/candidate-for-governor-has-tyler-ties/|title=Candidate for Governor has Tyler Ties|website=Classic Rock 96.1|date=25 November 2013 |language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/147403/lisa-fritsch|title=The Voter's Self Defense System|website=Vote Smart|language=en-US|access-date=2017-05-08}}</ref>
== Career == Fritsch began her technology career in Silicon Valley as the only African-American woman at her tech company. Here she developed an admiration for tech and for coaching and developing techies. Her passion for solving inequity began her career in television and media where she was a talk radio show host on KLBJ for ten years.<ref name="Lisa Fritsch"/><ref name="TexasGOPVote"/><ref name="bampac.org"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.innotechconferences.com/austin/speakers/lisa-fritsch/|title=Lisa Fritsch {{!}} InnoTech Austin|website=www.innotechconferences.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-13}}</ref>
Fritsch was the founder and president of ACTS Alive (Americans for Christian Conservative Truth), a "think tank that seeks to define the truth about conservative ideas in all forms of media." Fritsch has also lent a dynamic voice as a consultant and strategist for political campaigns and fundraising efforts.<ref name="project21.org">{{Cite web|url=http://www.project21.org/bios/P21Speakers_Fritsch.html|title=Lisa Fritsch|website=www.project21.org|access-date=2017-05-13}}</ref>
As a writer, Fritsch contributed to Breitbart News and wrote for ''The Tea Party Review,'' Freedom’s Journal, ''GOP USA'', American Thinker, Townhall, and The Daily Caller.<ref name="project21.org"/>
== Television and radio == Fritsch was a member of the national advisory council for Project 21 and acted as their spokeswoman, garnering national attention for her willingness to stand up to the NAACP when the group accused the Tea Party movement of harboring racist views.<ref name="project21.org"/>
Fritsch has appeared as a commentator locally on Fox7 and nationally on Fox News Channel,<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite news|url=http://www.bampac.org/races|title=Endorsed Candidates|work=Black America's PAC|access-date=2017-03-15|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=National Center for Public Policy Research|title=Lisa Fritsch of Project 21 on Occupy Radicalism|date=2011-11-17|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5ezmi4MxmM|accessdate=2017-03-15}}</ref><ref name="texasgopvote.com">{{Cite news|url=http://www.texasgopvote.com/conservative-featured-voice-lisa-fritsch|title=Conservative Featured Voice: Lisa Fritsch|date=2010-08-16|work=TexasGOPVote|access-date=2017-03-15|language=en}}</ref><ref name="nationalcenter.org">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nationalcenter.org/bios/P21Speakers_Fritsch.html|title=Lisa Fritsch|website=www.nationalcenter.org|access-date=2017-03-15}}</ref> MSNBC, and CNN.<ref name="Lisa Fritsch {{!}} InnoTech Austin">{{Cite web|url=http://www.innotechconferences.com/austin/speakers/lisa-fritsch/|title=Lisa Fritsch {{!}} InnoTech Austin|website=www.innotechconferences.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-15}}</ref>
Show appearances include The Glenn Beck Program,<ref name="ReferenceA" /><ref name="texasgopvote.com" /> Your World With Neil Cavuto,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.conservativeblog.org/amyridenour/2011/11/17/lisa-fritsch-of-project-21-on-occupy-radicalism.html|title=Lisa Fritsch of Project 21 on Occupy Radicalism - Amy Ridenour's National Center Blog - A Conservative Blog|website=www.conservativeblog.org|language=en|access-date=2017-05-13}}</ref> The O'Reilly Factor, The Reid Report,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.msnbc.com/the-reid-report/watch/will-texas-tuesday-be-a-little-blue-182141507742|title=Will Texas Tuesday be a little blue?|work=MSNBC|access-date=2017-05-13}}</ref> and Erin Burnett Outfront.<ref name="nationalcenter.org" />
Fritsch began radio hosting as a fill-in host on 590 KLBJ’s “Morning Show.” She then hosted “Your Sunday Best with Lisa Fritsch” from 2006-2010.<ref name="Lisa Fritsch {{!}} InnoTech Austin"/><ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="texasgopvote.com"/><ref name="nationalcenter.org"/>
== 2014 gubernatorial race == Fritsch announced her decision to run for governor to her friends and supporters at Mighty Fine Burgers Fries & Shakes. After her announcement, she followed it by interviewing in Spanish with a Spanish-language television network.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Lisa Fritsch 'Called' to Run for Governor|url = http://www.statesman.com/weblogs/first-reading/2013/oct/08/lisa-fritsch-called-run-governor/|website = statesman.com|accessdate = 2015-12-04}}</ref> Her tag line during the race was "I'm not your father's conservative," referencing her position as the first black woman to run for governor in Texas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2014/01/10/fritsch-ad-im-not-your-fathers-conservative/|title=Fritsch Ad: "I'm Not Your Father's Conservative"|website=The Texas Tribune|date=10 January 2014 |access-date=2016-05-16}}</ref> Fritsch received endorsements from groups such as BAMPAC,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bampac.org/races|title=Endorsed Candidates|work=Black America's PAC|access-date=2017-05-13|language=en}}</ref> the Bastrop County Young Republicans,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/bastropcountyyoungrepublicans/home/endorsements|title=Endorsements - Bastrop County Young Republicans|website=sites.google.com|access-date=2017-05-13}}</ref> Texans Uniting for Reform and Freedom (TURF),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/147403/lisa-fritsch#.WRcVdoWcHIV|title=The Voter's Self Defense System|website=Vote Smart|language=en-US|access-date=2017-05-13}}</ref> BlakPAC, and the Central Texas Coalition for Life.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://centraltexascoalition.com/endorsements-2/|title=Endorsements {{!}} Central Texas Coalition for Life|website=centraltexascoalition.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-05-13}}</ref> Fritsch called on one million citizens to contribute one dollar to her campaign so she could get her message out.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2014/01/13/lisa-fritsch-goes-silent-in-new-ad/|title=Lisa Fritsch Goes Silent in New Ad|date=2014-01-13|website=The Texas Tribune|access-date=2017-05-08}}</ref> Fritsch often warned the Texas GOP that the state could turn Democratic if they refused to reach out to changing demographics.<ref>{{Citation|last=Lisa4Texas|title=Warning for the GOP|date=2014-01-15|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSCjwkh3O8U|accessdate=2017-05-08}}</ref> Fritsch also noted that she was financially the most charitable candidate in the race.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2013/12/10/lisa-fritsch-size-matters-charitable-donations/|title=Lisa Fritsch: Size Matters With Charitable Donations|date=2013-12-10|website=The Texas Tribune|access-date=2017-05-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2013/12/10/lisa-fritsch-charitable-giving-of-governor-frontrunners-scrooge-like|title=Lisa Fritsch: Governor frontrunners' charitable giving is left wanting {{!}} Politics|date=2013-12-10|work=Dallas News|access-date=2017-05-13|language=en}}</ref> She was one of three candidates running against Greg Abbott, the party favorite, and she was described as the most serious of Abbott's rivals.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Lisa Fritsch, Republican candidate for Texas governor, makes...|url = http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/lisa-fritsch-republican-candidate-for-texas-govern/ncjtz/|website = MyStatesman|accessdate = 2015-12-04|last = Tilove|first = Jonathan|date = 10 Jan 2014|publisher = Cox Media Group}}</ref> Fritsch finished second in a four-way primary race, behind Abbott, with 4.4% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Lisa Fritsch|url = https://ballotpedia.org/Lisa_Fritsch|website = ballotpedia.org|accessdate = 2015-12-04}}</ref>
== Political views == During her candidacy for governor in 2014, Fritsch laid out nine branches of what her vision for Texas would look like under her leadership:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lisa4texas.com/issues/ |title=Lisa4Texas Issues - Lisa4Texas |date=2014-04-10 |access-date=2017-05-08 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410231437/http://www.lisa4texas.com/issues/ |archivedate=2014-04-10 }}</ref>
* Education Reform: Prepare the Child, Not the Path<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lisa4texas.com/education-prepare-the-child-not-the-path/ |title=Lisa4Texas Education - Prepare The Child Not The Path - Lisa4Texas |date=2014-03-14 |access-date=2017-05-08 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314044927/http://www.lisa4texas.com/education-prepare-the-child-not-the-path/ |archivedate=2014-03-14 }}</ref> * Life is a Terrible Thing to Waste<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lisa4texas.com/life-is-a-miracle/ |title=Lisa4Texas Life is a Miracle - Lisa4Texas |work=Lisa4Texas |date=2014-03-12 |access-date=2017-05-08 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312212700/http://www.lisa4texas.com/life-is-a-miracle/ |archivedate=2014-03-12 }}</ref> * A New Day In The Republican Party<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lisa4texas.com/a-new-day-in-the-republican-party/ |title=Lisa4Texas A New Day In The Republican Party - Lisa4Texas |date=2014-03-12 |access-date=2017-05-08 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312212834/http://www.lisa4texas.com/a-new-day-in-the-republican-party/ |archivedate=2014-03-12 }}</ref> * Immigration Reform Policy<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lisa4texas.com/immigration-reform/ |title=Lisa4Texas Immigration Reform - Lisa4Texas |date=2014-03-11 |access-date=2017-05-08 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311200330/http://www.lisa4texas.com/immigration-reform/ |archivedate=2014-03-11 }}</ref> * The Second Amendment<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lisa4texas.com/the-second-amendment/ |title=Lisa4Texas The Second Amendment - Lisa4Texas |work=Lisa4Texas |date=2014-03-12 |access-date=2017-05-08 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312011746/http://www.lisa4texas.com/the-second-amendment/ |archivedate=2014-03-12 }}</ref> * Dignity for our Veterans<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.crosstimbersgazette.com/2014/02/05/lisa-fritsch-not-your-typical-conservative/|title=Lisa Fritsch – Not your typical conservative {{!}} The Cross Timbers Gazette|date=5 February 2014 |access-date=2017-05-08}}</ref> * Texans with Disabilities<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/Disability-Action-Coalition-209936312540722/|title=Disability Action Coalition|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2017-05-08}}</ref> * Transparency<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lisa4texas.com/transparency/ |title=Lisa4Texas Transparency - Lisa4Texas |date=2014-03-12 |access-date=2017-05-08 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312212625/http://www.lisa4texas.com/transparency/ |archivedate=2014-03-12 }}</ref> * States Rights<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lisa4texas.com/states-rights/ |title=Lisa4Texas States Rights - Lisa4Texas |date=2014-03-14 |access-date=2017-05-08 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314044244/http://www.lisa4texas.com/states-rights/ |archivedate=2014-03-14 }}</ref>
Fritsch later changed political affiliations from Republican to Independent following her run for governor. She writes about this in her book ''Politically Corrected''.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Politically Corrected: Corrections from a Former Black, Tea Party, Republican Conservative|date=2014-07-09|publisher=Lisa Fritsch|edition=1st|language=English}}</ref>
Fritsch provided an analysis of the 2016 Republican Presidential candidates and provided five tips of advice to the GOP in November 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lisafritsch.com/blog/2015/11/5-tips-for-the-gop/|title=5 Tips for the GOP {{!}} Lisa Fritsch|date=2016-03-22|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322115200/http://lisafritsch.com/blog/2015/11/5-tips-for-the-gop/|archivedate=2016-03-22|url-status=bot: unknown|access-date=2017-05-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/thatlisafritsch/posts/10153715160023094|title=Lisa Fritsch|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2017-05-13}}</ref>
Recognizing herself as an "unlikely defender", Fritsch went through in expressing her support for Donald Trump's candidacy for president during the 2016 Republican Presidential Primary on April 28, 2016, stating that she was once a "state level" version of him in the sense that they were both 'outsiders.'<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/thatlisafritsch/posts/10154130838998094:0|title=Lisa Fritsch|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2017-05-03}}</ref>
== Personal life == Fritsch is a 7th generation Texan born and raised in East Texas. She was raised by her single divorced mother and an extended family. Fritsch went on to study at the University of Texas at Austin where she majored in Asian studies and studied abroad in Japan.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/17/us/a-long-shot-for-governor-is-suddenly-a-presence-in-the-polls.html|title=A Long Shot for Governor Is Suddenly a Presence in the Polls|last=Root|first=Jay|date=2013-11-16|work=The New York Times|access-date=2017-05-08|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
Her single mother, Debra played a huge role in her political beliefs. Fritsch often recalled a moment between the two of them when she ran for governor in 2014. "She looked me in the eye and said, ‘I would rather us both starve than for me to put you on a path where you didn’t have dignity and you would feel like a victim,’” Fritsch said. “At that moment, I was transformed.”<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.clutchmagonline.com/2014/03/meet-lisa-fritsch-first-black-woman-run-governor-texas/|title=Meet Lisa Fritsch, the First Black Woman to Run for Governor of Texas|work=Clutch Magazine|access-date=2017-05-03|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Lisa4Texas|title=Lisa Fritsch at Pflugerville Republican Club 2/3/14|date=2014-03-02|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1yZPwx3PAM&t=2m20s|accessdate=2016-05-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/humble/news/lisa-fritsch-says-she-is-the-right-choice-for-texas/article_b69938e7-f103-5d49-9001-9e600ea84983.html|title=Lisa Fritsch says she is the right choice for Texas governor|website=www.yourhumblenews.com|date=9 January 2014 |access-date=2016-05-16}}</ref>
While at the University of Texas, she attended a meeting for Republican students and felt that their political views mirrored those of her mother, beginning her interest in politics and activism.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Lisa Fritsch says she is the right choice for Texas governor|url = http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/atascocita/news/lisa-fritsch-says-she-is-the-right-choice-for-texas/article_5890a688-be9b-51a4-9ab9-1e5ca1290c83.html|website = Your Atascocita News|accessdate = 2015-12-04|publisher = Your Houston News|first = Catherine|last = Dominguez|date = 9 Jan 2014}}</ref>
In 2000, Fritsch (then Delley) married Michael Fritsch. They have two children and divorced in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/147403/lisa-fritsch#.WRFCZIWcHIU|title=The Voter's Self Defense System|website=Vote Smart|language=en-US|access-date=2017-05-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://marriage-divorce-records.mooseroots.com/l/50299170/Michael-A-Fritsch|title=Michael A. Fritsch and Delisa D. Delley - Texas|website=marriage-divorce-records.mooseroots.com|language=en-us|access-date=2017-05-09}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Fritsch, Lisa}} Category:1975 births Category:Living people Category:People from Tyler, Texas Category:University of Texas at Austin alumni Category:21st-century American writers Category:21st-century American women writers Category:Activists from Texas