Posted on 11/22/2010 6:54:15 PM PST by LdSentinal
Rep. Solomon Ortiz conceded to his Republican challenger Monday night, according to a regional representative of the National Republican Congressional Committee who is in Texas 27th district.
The Texas Democrat called challenger Blake Farenthold, a former radio talk-show host, as the last county in his district worked toward wrapping up its recount.
The Farenthold victory brings the net Republican House pickups this cycle to 62 seats, with four House races still outstanding from the midterm elections. The Republican was on Capitol Hill last week for freshman orientation.
Ortiz asked for the recount, which cost him $23,500, after the original unofficial count showed him down by 799 votes. Five of the district's six counties had finished by Friday, but Cameron County which was also dealing with a recount in a county judges race was still finishing recounting absentee and early ballots Monday evening. Officials there expected to certify the vote count Monday night.
A former chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the current chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, the 14-term Congressman had never gotten less than 55 percent in a re-election campaign. His races in 2006 and 2008 were among his closest: he won re-election with 57 percent in 2006 and with 58 percent in 2008.
Ortizs son, Democratic state Rep. Solomon Ortiz Jr., also lost Nov. 2. He represents Corpus Christi.
Add a North Texan to the list of those very fond of Corpus. I get there every chance I can, enjoying the aquarium and the Lexington. The center city is very walkable, particularly the T Heads jutting into the bay.
Shhh! Let's keep this Texas gem quiet. One other plus is that not a whole lot of people make Corpus a destination, therefore it stays relatively crowd-free.
And with Ortiz out, Corpus goes up a few more notches in my book!
I guess the congressman who represents Corpus was also drawing from deep south Texas, but the fact is that the US congressman representing Corpus has always been a democrat and I am happily surprised that I’ve lived long enough to see it change to Republican.
William (Willie) Vaden REP 61,955 34.89%
Solomon P. Ortiz(I) DEM 112,081 63.13%
Christopher J. Claytor LIB 3,500 1.97%
I bet old Ortiz was really pissed off that all of the voters they paid to vote did not. Heck, he could not even stuff the boxes correctly.
Now, what legacy does he live Ortiz Jr.? Heck, the dynasty just ended!
Live = Leave
I forgot....that’s the way Ortiz pronounces the word “leave.” LOL!
Blake better enjoy this win....Looks like he was carried in by the wave and do to the hispanics district might only hang on one maybe two terms
A slight step back for him was better than mist repubs that night.
Tough Turkey day at the Ortiz house
one kid told me that ortiz’s claim that farenhold went to lingerie parties is why he and the under 30 crowd voted for farenhold.
This is big, I think, no?
I heard also that Ortiz created some resentment in La Feria, TX, when a spokesmouth of his went to a high school reunion there and used it as a campaign event.
If that actually turned out to be a positive that would so hilarious.
South Texas (the valley) as well as Austin was my home for much of my life. I love Corpus, and used to go there on weekends when I went to college in Kingsville. San Antonio is great too. Was in College Station recently. I miss Texas.
“Ortizs son, Democratic state Rep. Solomon Ortiz Jr., also lost Nov. 2. He represents Corpus Christi.”
Icing on the cake. :-)
Amazing!
Bravo, this is great, well done to Blake Farenthold ... duckie pajamas for all!
It would be awesome!
Give ‘em hell, Blake!
I hear TSA is hiring 5,500 additional genital masseuses. If that does not work out for you, there is always Burger King.
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