Charles Gonzalez

Charles A. Gonzalez, a Democrat, has represented the Twentieth Congressional District of Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1999.

Iraq War
Gonzalez 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

Reparations for Japanese Latin Americans
Gonzalez cosponsored The Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Latin Americans of Japanese Descent Act in the 110th Congress which would establish a commission that would determine the facts and circumstances involving the relocation, internment and deportation of Japanese Latin Americans.

Bio
Gonzalez was born in San Antonio on May 5, 1945. His father, Henry B. Gonzalez, represented the 20th from 1961 until his son took over in 1999. Between them, the father and son have served 44 consecutive years in Congress as of 2005. Charlie received his bachelor's degree in government from the University of Texas at Austin in 1969, and then later earned his Juris Doctor degree from St. Mary's School of Law in San Antonio in 1972.

Gonzalez served as a Technical Sergeant in the Texas Air National Guard from 1969 until 1975. He then began practicing law until 1982 when he served first as a municipal court judge, then later as a judge in county and then district court, both of which are elected positions.

Congressional career
Henry Gonzalez had long groomed his son as his successor, so Charlie was well-positioned to run when his father didn't seek a 19th full term in 1998. He defeated his only major challenger, Republican James Walker, carrying 63% of the vote and became only the fourth person to represent the 20th District since its creation in 1935; in fact, Charlie's first race was the first open-seat race in the district's 64-year history. He was reelected with no major-party opposition in 2000, unopposed in 2002, and with 63% of the vote in 2004.

2006 elections
No major candidates announced their intentions to contest Gonzalez’s seat in the November 2006 election. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006)

2008 superdelegate

 * Gary Martin, Gonzalez endorses Obama, San Antonio Express-News, February 11, 2008
 * Gonzales' district went for Clinton by 68017 to 29631 in the Texas primary.

Money in politics
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Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * House Committee on Energy and Commerce
 * Subcommittee on Commerce Trade and Consumer Protection
 * Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality
 * Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet
 * House Committee on Small Business
 * Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight
 * Subcommittee on Regulations, Healthcare, and Trade, Chair
 * House Committee on House Administration

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

 * House Committee on Energy and Commerce
 * Subcommittee on Commerce Trade and Consumer Protection
 * Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality
 * Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials
 * Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet

Articles and 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
 * Burnt Orange Report