Ruben Hinojosa

Rubén E. Hinojosa, a Democrat, has represented the Fifteenth Congressional District of Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1997.

Iraq War
Hinojosa voted against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Bio
Hinojosa was born August 20, 1940 in Edcouch, Texas. Prior to serving in Congress, he earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Texas at Austin and his MBA from the University of Texas-Pan American. He served as president of his family's food processing company. In 1974 he was elected to the Texas State Board of Education, serving for 20 years.

"An advocate for the underserved, and economically and educationally disadvantaged, Rubén Hinojosa has made working for those in his community a primary goal," according to his House biography.

Hinojosa defeated Republican Tom Haughey in 1996 with 62% of the vote. He defeated Haughey again in 1998, winning 59% of the vote. In 2000 he took 89% of the vote, facing only independent Frank L. Jones III. Finally in 2002 he ran unopposed.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Republicans nominated Paul B. Haring to face Hinojosa in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006)  Hinojosa retained his seat.

2008 superdelegate

 * Clinton Campaign Press Release
 * Tierney's district went for Obama by 49,872 to 30,118 in the Texas primary.

Money in politics
cid=N00006008&cycle=2008

Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * House Committee on Education and Labor
 * Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education
 * Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness
 * House Committee on Foreign Affairs
 * Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
 * Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats
 * House Committee on Financial Services
 * Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises
 * Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Education and the Workforce
 * Subcommittee on Education Reform
 * Subcommittee on Select Education - Ranking Minority Member
 * House Committee on Financial Services
 * Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
 * Subcommittee on Capital Markets Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises

Coalitions and Caucuses

 * Congressional Rural Housing Caucus
 * Co-founder, Financial and Economic Literacy Caucus

Resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * Election Information - U.S. House Office of the Clerk
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Fort Bend Democrats
 * South Texas Chism
 * Burnt Orange Report