Ciro D. Rodriguez
Encyclopedia
Ciro Davis Rodriguez is the former U.S. Representative
for , serving from 2007 until 2011. The district stretches from El Paso
in the west to San Antonio in the east, a distance of some 500 miles. He previously represented the neighboring from 1997 to 2005, and was a member of the Texas House of Representatives
from 1987 to 1997. He is a member of the Democratic Party
.
, Mexico
, but was raised and received his education in San Antonio, Texas
. When Ciro Rodriguez was young, his mother died suddenly and he dropped out of school. After working at a gas station for a year, he decided to go back to school and attended two different summer schools to catch up. He graduated with his entering class from Harlandale High School
and then briefly attended San Antonio College
, but subsequently graduated from St. Mary’s University
with a B.A.
in Political Science
. He received his Master of Social Work
from Our Lady of the Lake University
.
From 1975 to 1987, he served as a board member of the Harlandale Independent School District, working as an educational consultant for the Intercultural Development Research Association and serving as a caseworker
with the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation. From 1987 to 1996, he taught at Our Lady of the Lake University
's Worden School of Social Work.
After leaving Congress in January 2005, he joined with his former chief of staff, Jeff Mendelsohn, to create Rio Strategy Group LLC
, a boutique
government relations firm to assist clients at the local, state and national levels.
from 1987 to 1997. He chaired the important Local and Consent Calendar Committee, served on the Public Health
and the Higher Education
Committees, and presided as a vice chairman of the Legislative Study Group. He drafted legislation to allow students to earn college credit while they were in still in high school and the law that guaranteed the top ten percent of graduating students a place at a Texas four year university.
In January 1997, 28th District congressman Frank Tejeda
died at the start of his third term. A special election to fill the remainder of his service was held in April, resulting in Rodriguez defeating his nearest rival Juan F. Solis III with 66.7% of the vote.
After being sworn in on April 12, Rodriguez served as a member of the Armed Services
, Veterans' Affairs
and Resources Committees. He was also the ranking member
of the VA Subcommittee on Health
. Additionally, he led the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
as chairman from 2003 to 2004 after four years as its Health Care Task Force Chairman.
He was also involved in military base
creation and redevelopment and drafted legislation creating the Brooks City-Base; he also promoted the transformation of the former Kelly Air Force Base
into Kelly USA, a maintenance and logistics center.
Rodriguez was the lead sponsor of the Hispanic Health Improvement Act.
In his capacity in Congress from 2006-2011, Congressman Rodriguez led as a champion of Veterans, farmers, law enforcement, and border security for the people of the 23rd District. He made sure the University of Texas at San Antonio had the funds to build a department for the development of Homeland Security, Veterans' received the benefits they deserved, the border was secure from the violence in Mexico, and secured funds for the agriculture community that consists of farmers, Texas A&M University,and Sul Ross University research programs.
In July 2011, Congressman Rodriguez celebrated with El Paso County officials the groundbreaking of the Tornillo Port of Entry. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee in the 2009-10 legislative session, Congressman Rodriguez was able to secure the $97 million to build the port of entry while also securing funds for new Veterans' Clinics in Del Rio, South San Antonio, and Uvalde.
Rodriguez voted against both President Bush's and Obama's TARP/bank bailouts. He also voted against the General Motors bailout. Rodriguez did support the Stimulus plan, Health Care Reform and Financial Regulation of Wall Street. He helped pass the largest increase in veteran’s health care funding and the Wounded Warrior Act, reducing red tape for veterans in need. See: http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=16389 He has also focused on national security issues including cyber-security.
shifted most of heavily Democratic Laredo
, previously one of the cores of the neighboring 23rd District
, into the already heavily Democratic 28th. Laredo is the base of former Texas Secretary of State Henry Cuellar
, a somewhat more conservative Democrat. A year earlier, Cuellar had given the 23rd's 5-term incumbent, Henry Bonilla
, his closest race ever. By moving most of Laredo to the 28th, the Republican-controlled legislature hoped to protect Bonilla by packing the 28th with as many Democrats as possible. In March 2004 Rodriguez lost the primary election
— the real contest in this district — to Cuellar by 58 votes. Rodriguez sued to overturn Cuellar's victory, but the Texas 4th Court of Appeals
ruled against him.
, on the Republican side of the aisle, gleaming as President George W. Bush
affectionately grabbed his face. It was not enough, however, and Rodriguez lost the March 7 Democratic primary with 40% of the vote to Cuellar's 53%.
ruled that the Texas Legislature had violated the Voting Rights Act
when it drew most of Laredo out of the 23rd and replaced it with several heavily Republican San Antonio suburbs. A three-judge panel then drew new district lines. The new 23rd includes Rodriguez's home, along with much of his old south San Antonio base. That area had originally been part of the 23rd from its creation in 1967 to 1993.
On August 10 Rodriguez announced that he would run against Bonilla in the 23rd. The two opponents, along with original Democratic congressional nominee Rick Bolanos and four other Democrats and one Independent faced each other in an all-candidate primary on November 7. Incumbent Henry Bonilla
emerged with 48.1% and Ciro Rodriguez with 20.3%.
In the runoff election, Rodriguez, in an upset victory, defeated Bonilla 54% to 46%. This made his district the 30th Democratic pickup in the 2006 House elections
, and the second from Texas, after Nick Lampson
, who was also sent back to Congress after being defeated in another district in 2004, like Rodriguez. It was only the second time a Republican congressional incumbent had lost to a Democratic challenger in Texas since 1988 (the first time being Nick Lampson
's defeat of a Republican incumbent in 1996). Lampson served with Rodriguez again in 2007-2009, until he was defeated for the second time in 2008.
, Libertarian nominee Martin Nitschke, Green Party nominee Ed Scharf, and Independent Craig T. Stephens.
He was defeated by Canseco, with 44% to Canseco's 49%.
, and a law degree from the University of Texas.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for , serving from 2007 until 2011. The district stretches from El Paso
El Paso
El Paso, a city in the U.S. state of Texas, on the border with Mexico.El Paso may also refer to:-Geography:Colombia:* El Paso, CesarSpain:*El Paso, Santa Cruz de TenerifeUnited States:...
in the west to San Antonio in the east, a distance of some 500 miles. He previously represented the neighboring from 1997 to 2005, and was a member of the Texas House of Representatives
Texas House of Representatives
The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Texas Legislature. The House is composed of 150 members elected from single-member districts across the state. The average district has about 150,000 people. Representatives are elected to two-year terms with no term limits...
from 1987 to 1997. He is a member of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
.
Early life, education and career
Rodriguez was born in Piedras Negras, CoahuilaPiedras Negras, Coahuila
-Natural Resources:This region generates a large amount of the national production of coal, one of the most economically important non-metallic minerals in the state.-Tourism:Piedras Negras' main tourist attractions are:...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, but was raised and received his education in San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
. When Ciro Rodriguez was young, his mother died suddenly and he dropped out of school. After working at a gas station for a year, he decided to go back to school and attended two different summer schools to catch up. He graduated with his entering class from Harlandale High School
Harlandale High School
Harlandale High School is the flagship school for the Harlandale Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas....
and then briefly attended San Antonio College
San Antonio College
San Antonio College is a community college that is a part of the Alamo Community College District. It is located on San Pedro Avenue, across from San Pedro Park, near downtown San Antonio. SAC is the oldest public two-year college in Texas...
, but subsequently graduated from St. Mary’s University
St. Mary's University, Texas
St. Mary's University is a Catholic and Marianist liberal arts institution located on northwest of downtown San Antonio, Texas, United States. St. Mary’s is a nationally recognized master’s level school ranked among the top colleges in the west for best value and academic reputation by U.S. News...
with a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
. He received his Master of Social Work
Master of Social Work
The Master of Social Work is a master's degree in social workand especiality of sociology.- United States :In the United States, MSW degrees must be received from a graduate school that has been approved by the Council on Social Work Education...
from Our Lady of the Lake University
Our Lady of the Lake University
Our Lady of the Lake University is an independent Catholic, co-ed university located in San Antonio, Texas, United States. It was founded in 1895 by the Sisters of the Congregation of Divine Providence, a religious order originating in Lorraine, France, during the 18th century...
.
From 1975 to 1987, he served as a board member of the Harlandale Independent School District, working as an educational consultant for the Intercultural Development Research Association and serving as a caseworker
Caseworker
In social work, a caseworker is a type of social worker who is employed by a government agency, non-profit organization, or other group to take on the cases of individuals and provide them with advocacy, information or other services....
with the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation. From 1987 to 1996, he taught at Our Lady of the Lake University
Our Lady of the Lake University
Our Lady of the Lake University is an independent Catholic, co-ed university located in San Antonio, Texas, United States. It was founded in 1895 by the Sisters of the Congregation of Divine Providence, a religious order originating in Lorraine, France, during the 18th century...
's Worden School of Social Work.
After leaving Congress in January 2005, he joined with his former chief of staff, Jeff Mendelsohn, to create Rio Strategy Group LLC
Limited liability company
A limited liability company is a flexible form of enterprise that blends elements of partnership and corporate structures. It is a legal form of company that provides limited liability to its owners in the vast majority of United States jurisdictions...
, a boutique
Boutique
A boutique is a small shopping outlet, especially one that specializes in elite and fashionable items such as clothing and jewelry. The word is French for "shop", via Latin from Greek ἀποθήκη , "storehouse"....
government relations firm to assist clients at the local, state and national levels.
Texas House of Representatives
Rodriguez served in the Texas House of RepresentativesTexas Legislature
The Legislature of the state of Texas is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Texas. The legislature is a bicameral body composed of a 31-member Senate and a 150-member House of Representatives. The Legislature meets at the Capitol in Austin...
from 1987 to 1997. He chaired the important Local and Consent Calendar Committee, served on the Public Health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
and the Higher Education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
Committees, and presided as a vice chairman of the Legislative Study Group. He drafted legislation to allow students to earn college credit while they were in still in high school and the law that guaranteed the top ten percent of graduating students a place at a Texas four year university.
U.S. House of Representatives (1997-2005, 2006-2011)
Frank Tejeda
Frank Mariano Tejeda was a decorated United States Marine and an American Democratic politician from Texas. He served in the Texas House of Representatives , the Texas Senate , and in the United States House of Representatives .-Biography:Frank M. Tejeda was born in San Antonio, Texas. He attended...
died at the start of his third term. A special election to fill the remainder of his service was held in April, resulting in Rodriguez defeating his nearest rival Juan F. Solis III with 66.7% of the vote.
After being sworn in on April 12, Rodriguez served as a member of the Armed Services
United States House Committee on Armed Services
thumb|United States House Committee on Armed Services emblemThe U.S. House Committee on Armed Services, commonly known as the House Armed Services Committee, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives...
, Veterans' Affairs
United States House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
The standing Committee on Veterans' Affairs in the United States House of Representatives oversees agencies, reviews current legislation, and recommends new bills or amendments concerning veterans. Jurisdiction includes retiring and disability pensions, life insurance, education , vocational...
and Resources Committees. He was also the ranking member
Ranking member
In United States politics, a ranking member is the second-most senior member of a congressional or state legislative committee from the majority party. Another usage refers to the most senior member of a congressional or state legislative committee from the minority party. This second usage, often...
of the VA Subcommittee on Health
United States House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health
The United States Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health is one of the four subcommittees within the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.The Subcommittee on Health has legislative and oversight jurisdiction for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ health care system, programs and research...
. Additionally, he led the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
Congressional Hispanic Caucus
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus comprises 21 Democratic members of the United States Congress most of whom are of Hispanic origin. The Caucus is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics and Latinos in the United States and Puerto Rico...
as chairman from 2003 to 2004 after four years as its Health Care Task Force Chairman.
He was also involved in military base
Military base
A military base is a facility directly owned and operated by or for the military or one of its branches that shelters military equipment and personnel, and facilitates training and operations. In general, a military base provides accommodations for one or more units, but it may also be used as a...
creation and redevelopment and drafted legislation creating the Brooks City-Base; he also promoted the transformation of the former Kelly Air Force Base
Kelly Air Force Base
Kelly Field Annex and is a former United States Air Force facility located in San Antonio, Texas. In 2001, the runway and land west of the runway became "Kelly Field Annex" and control of it was transferred to the adjacent Lackland Air Force Base, part of Joint Base San Antonio...
into Kelly USA, a maintenance and logistics center.
Rodriguez was the lead sponsor of the Hispanic Health Improvement Act.
In his capacity in Congress from 2006-2011, Congressman Rodriguez led as a champion of Veterans, farmers, law enforcement, and border security for the people of the 23rd District. He made sure the University of Texas at San Antonio had the funds to build a department for the development of Homeland Security, Veterans' received the benefits they deserved, the border was secure from the violence in Mexico, and secured funds for the agriculture community that consists of farmers, Texas A&M University,and Sul Ross University research programs.
In July 2011, Congressman Rodriguez celebrated with El Paso County officials the groundbreaking of the Tornillo Port of Entry. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee in the 2009-10 legislative session, Congressman Rodriguez was able to secure the $97 million to build the port of entry while also securing funds for new Veterans' Clinics in Del Rio, South San Antonio, and Uvalde.
Committee assignments
- Committee on AppropriationsUnited States House Committee on AppropriationsThe Committee on Appropriations is a committee of the United States House of Representatives. It is in charge of setting the specific expenditures of money by the government of the United States...
- Subcommittee on Homeland SecurityUnited States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland SecurityThe House Subcommittee on Homeland Security is a standing subcommittee within the House Appropriations Committee.-Members, 112th Congress:-External links:**...
- Subcommittee on the Legislative BranchUnited States House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative BranchThe United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch is a standing subcommittee within the House Appropriations Committee.-Members, 112th Congress:-External links:**...
- Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
- Subcommittee on Homeland Security
- United States House Committee on Veterans Affairs
- United States House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on HealthUnited States House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on HealthThe United States Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health is one of the four subcommittees within the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.The Subcommittee on Health has legislative and oversight jurisdiction for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ health care system, programs and research...
- United States House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial AffairsUnited States House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial AffairsThe United States Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs is one of the four subcommittees within the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.-Jurisdiction:From the House Rules:...
- United States House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health
Caucuses
- Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), Chair of the Taskforce on Agriculture and Rural Communities
Rodriguez voted against both President Bush's and Obama's TARP/bank bailouts. He also voted against the General Motors bailout. Rodriguez did support the Stimulus plan, Health Care Reform and Financial Regulation of Wall Street. He helped pass the largest increase in veteran’s health care funding and the Wounded Warrior Act, reducing red tape for veterans in need. See: http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=16389 He has also focused on national security issues including cyber-security.
2004
The 2003 Texas redistricting2003 Texas redistricting
The 2003 Texas redistricting refers to a controversial mid-decade congressional redistricting plan appealed to the United States Supreme Court in League of United Latin American Citizens v. Perry...
shifted most of heavily Democratic Laredo
Laredo, Texas
Laredo is the county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States, located on the north bank of the Rio Grande in South Texas, across from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 236,091 making it the 3rd largest on the United States-Mexican border,...
, previously one of the cores of the neighboring 23rd District
Texas's 23rd congressional district
Texas's 23rd congressional district is the 8th largest congressional district in the country not counting at-large districts, stretching across the southwestern portion of Texas. It is a Latino-majority district and its current Representative is Republican Quico Canseco...
, into the already heavily Democratic 28th. Laredo is the base of former Texas Secretary of State Henry Cuellar
Henry Cuellar
Henry Roberto Cuellar is the U.S Representative for , serving since 2005. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district extends from the Rio Grande to the suburbs of San Antonio, including Guadalupe County and nearby Wilson County.Outside of politics, he has served as a professor at the...
, a somewhat more conservative Democrat. A year earlier, Cuellar had given the 23rd's 5-term incumbent, Henry Bonilla
Henry Bonilla
Henry Bonilla is a former congressman who represented Texas's 23rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. He was defeated in his bid for re-election by Ciro Davis Rodriguez, a former Democratic member of Congress, in a special election runoff held on December 12, 2006...
, his closest race ever. By moving most of Laredo to the 28th, the Republican-controlled legislature hoped to protect Bonilla by packing the 28th with as many Democrats as possible. In March 2004 Rodriguez lost the primary election
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
— the real contest in this district — to Cuellar by 58 votes. Rodriguez sued to overturn Cuellar's victory, but the Texas 4th Court of Appeals
Texas Courts of Appeals
The Texas Courts of Appeals are part of the Texas judicial system. In Texas, all cases appealed from the district level, both criminal and civil, may be heard by one of the fourteen Texas Courts of Appeals. The exception is for cases where the death penalty is a factor; these cases go directly to...
ruled against him.
28th District
Rodriguez tried to regain his old House seat in 2006. His campaign was under-financed, but gained significant momentum after a Washington Post photographer snapped a photo of Cuellar at the 2006 State of the Union address2006 State of the Union address
The 2006 State of the Union Address was delivered by United States President George W. Bush at 9 p.m. EST on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 to a joint session of the U.S. Congress...
, on the Republican side of the aisle, gleaming as President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
affectionately grabbed his face. It was not enough, however, and Rodriguez lost the March 7 Democratic primary with 40% of the vote to Cuellar's 53%.
23rd District
In June, the Supreme Court of the United StatesSupreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
ruled that the Texas Legislature had violated the Voting Rights Act
Voting Rights Act
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a landmark piece of national legislation in the United States that outlawed discriminatory voting practices that had been responsible for the widespread disenfranchisement of African Americans in the U.S....
when it drew most of Laredo out of the 23rd and replaced it with several heavily Republican San Antonio suburbs. A three-judge panel then drew new district lines. The new 23rd includes Rodriguez's home, along with much of his old south San Antonio base. That area had originally been part of the 23rd from its creation in 1967 to 1993.
On August 10 Rodriguez announced that he would run against Bonilla in the 23rd. The two opponents, along with original Democratic congressional nominee Rick Bolanos and four other Democrats and one Independent faced each other in an all-candidate primary on November 7. Incumbent Henry Bonilla
Henry Bonilla
Henry Bonilla is a former congressman who represented Texas's 23rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. He was defeated in his bid for re-election by Ciro Davis Rodriguez, a former Democratic member of Congress, in a special election runoff held on December 12, 2006...
emerged with 48.1% and Ciro Rodriguez with 20.3%.
In the runoff election, Rodriguez, in an upset victory, defeated Bonilla 54% to 46%. This made his district the 30th Democratic pickup in the 2006 House elections
United States House elections, 2006
- House of Representatives prior to the election :As of November 7, 2006, the U.S. House of the 109th Congress was composed of 229 Republicans, 201 Democrats and 1 Independent . There were also four vacancies...
, and the second from Texas, after Nick Lampson
Nick Lampson
Nicholas Valentino 'Nick' Lampson is an American politician from the state of Texas and was a Congressman representing the 22nd Congressional District of Texas. He was defeated by Pete Olson on November 4, 2008 in his re-election bid....
, who was also sent back to Congress after being defeated in another district in 2004, like Rodriguez. It was only the second time a Republican congressional incumbent had lost to a Democratic challenger in Texas since 1988 (the first time being Nick Lampson
Nick Lampson
Nicholas Valentino 'Nick' Lampson is an American politician from the state of Texas and was a Congressman representing the 22nd Congressional District of Texas. He was defeated by Pete Olson on November 4, 2008 in his re-election bid....
's defeat of a Republican incumbent in 1996). Lampson served with Rodriguez again in 2007-2009, until he was defeated for the second time in 2008.
2008
Rodriguez won against Republican nominee Bexar County Commissioner Lyle Larson and Libertarian Lani Connolly.2010
Rodriguez was challenged by Republican nominee Quico CansecoQuico Canseco
Francisco "Quico" R. Canseco is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life and education:...
, Libertarian nominee Martin Nitschke, Green Party nominee Ed Scharf, and Independent Craig T. Stephens.
He was defeated by Canseco, with 44% to Canseco's 49%.
2012
Ciro Rodriguez announced in early summer 2011, he will be seeking his former seat in the U.S. Congress. He is the favored Democratic candidate to face off against current Congressman, Quico Canseco for the 23rd Congressional District of Texas that spans from El Paso to San Antonio.Personal life
Rodriguez and his wife, Carolina Peña, have been married for thirty-five years. Their daughter Xochil received her bachelor's degree from Rice UniversityRice University
William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University or Rice, is a private research university located on a heavily wooded campus in Houston, Texas, United States...
, and a law degree from the University of Texas.
External links
- Ciro Rodriguez for U.S. Congress official campaign site