| Solomon Ortiz | |
|---|---|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 27th district |
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| In office January 3, 1983 – January 3, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | None (District Created After 1980 Census) |
| Succeeded by | Blake Farenthold |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 3, 1937 Robstown, Texas |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Divorced |
| Residence | Corpus Christi, Texas |
| Alma mater | Del Mar College |
| Occupation | Politician, Law Enforcement |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Military service | |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1960-1962 |
Solomon Porfirio Ortiz (born June 3, 1937) is the former U.S. Representative for Texas's 27th congressional district, serving from 1983 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is based in Corpus Christi. In 2010, Ortiz was defeated by Republican challenger Blake Farenthold.[1][2]
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Solomon Ortiz was born in Robstown, Nueces County, Texas; his family had immigrated from Mexico.[3] As a boy, he held several odd jobs, including working as a shoeshiner and an inker for The Robstown Record's letter press. Ortiz befriended, and became fascinated with, law enforcement officers.[4] He attended Robstown High School until the age of 16, when he dropped out after his father's death to help support his family.
Ortiz joined the United States Army in 1960, serving two years and earning his GED. He received basic training at Fort Hood, Texas and served a tour of duty in Verdun and Vitry-le-François, France. Expressing his interest in law enforcement, Ortiz was reassigned to the 61st Military Police Company Criminal Investigation Office and received advanced military police training in n Fort Gordon, Georgia.[4]
After returning to South Texas, Ortiz worked for three years as an insurance agent.
In 1964, he was urged on by friends to run for Nueces County Constable and was elected in 1965, defeating the incumbent in a runoff election.[5] He was elected to the County Commissioners Court of Nueces County in 1969, the first Hispanic to serve in that capacity. He remained in that position until 1976, when he was elected County Sheriff, another first for a Hispanic in Nueces County.
When the 27th District was created in 1982, Ortiz ran for the seat on a platform of jobs incentives and attention to education.[5] He won the Democratic primary run-off election with 52% of the vote[6], defeating State Representative Joe Salem.[7] In the general election, he won with 64% of the vote.[8]
He won re-election thirteen times. He dipped below 60% only four times before 2010. His lowest winning percentage was in 1992, when he defeated attorney Jay Kimbrough[9] 55%-43%.[10]
On election night (November 2) Ortiz appeared to have lost to Republican Blake Farenthold but Ortiz asked for a recount.[2] After the recount, Ortiz conceded on November 22, 2010. Farenthold defeated him 47.8%-47.1%, a margin of just 770 votes. Ortiz won four of the district's six counties, losing only the northern most counties (Nueces and San Patricio).[11]
Ortiz is a moderate Democrat. He is somewhat conservative on social issues (for instance, he opposes abortion), but usually votes more with his party on economic issues.
In 1983, as a Freshman, he was assigned to the U.S. Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control.[12] In 1993, Ortiz was named chairman of a House subcommittee that oversees the Gulf of Mexico.[13]
| United States House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by District created after 1980 census |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 27th congressional district 1983–2011 |
Succeeded by Blake Farenthold |
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