Widow of Slained 'American Sniper' Making Waves in Politics

The widow of a slain Navy SEAL whose story was turned into the hit movie "American Sniper" has become a prominent figure in Fort Worth Republican politics even though her name does not appear on Tuesday’s primary ballot.Taya Kyle, the wife of Chris Kyle, is campaign treasurer for a Republican opponent of longtime Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson, the lawman seen as the face of the manhunt for “affluenza” teen Ethan Couch.
Kyle is also in a dispute with her late husband’s former business partner Bo French, who is running as a Republican for a Texas House of Representatives seat from the same county.
Lawyers for Kyle sent a cease-and-desist letter to the French camp last week calling on it to stop using her husband's name and likeness in campaign materials.
“Bo (is) abusing the name of my late husband, a beloved Son of Texas, and a hero to the nation, in an attempt to manipulate voters,” Kyle said in a statement on social media. She did not respond to requests to speak about her political activism.
"Her experience with public exposure and scrutiny has taught her not to let her guard down," said Republican political strategist Bill Miller. "She's become a very formidable woman."
Chris and Taya Kyle have become stars of the state's Republican establishment, with Governor Greg Abbott setting up a day to honor the memory of Chris Kyle, who was killed in 2013 by a troubled veteran he was trying to mentor.