November has been a resounding month for a nationwide Republican resurgence, but the full climb back is not yet finished. Though the Grand Old Party is assured of a House majority when the 112th Congress convenes, there is still time to tack on a few extra runs in the bottom of the ninth, as Rangers fans might relate to. Texas is the most recent state to have added to the total, upping the 61 seat Republican edge in the Midterm elections to 62. With a less than 1,000 vote margin, Blake Farenthold finally secured victory over incumbent Democrat Solomon Ortiz, in a race that was still too close to call nearly three weeks after the election.The win over Ortiz is no small accomplishment. Having served for 28 years as Texas 27^th District Representative, the upset is a microcosm of the severity seen in the larger paradigm shift across the country. Farenthold was considered a long shot at best to defeat Ortiz, though the name Farenthold will not be a new one to those familiar with the state’s political past. Sissy Farenthold, a member of the Texas House of Repreasentatives from 1968 through 72 and a gubernatorial candidate within the Democratic Party in 72 and 74, is actually the grandmother of Blake, splitting the family across party lines. In fact, the elder Farenthold made national waves as the first runner up to Thomas Eagleton as a part of George McGovern’s ’72 Presidential ticket, nearly nominated for Vice President, only the third woman nominated in a major party’s convention. She actually received more votes than Future President Jimmy Carter, among several other VP Candidates.Her grandson and proud Republican, has most recently been hosting a conservative talk radio program, Lago in the Morning, prior to seeking political office. Born in Corpus Christi, he has raised two daughters there alongside his wife Debbi.

» Both comments and pings are currently closed.