For your consideration: U.S. Congressman, Dist. 27 race

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U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Corpus Christi) phoned in on Tuesday afternoon after gaveling in a session of Congress. At times, certain representatives get to serve as “speaker of the day” and preside over short speeches given by members. 

“It’s pretty cool,” said Farenthold, 54. “When I quit getting goose bumps in what I do, it’s time to go home.”

And even though he says that Washington D.C. is crazy as usual, he does have hope in the governing body now that Rep. Paul Ryan is Speaker of the House. It is an optimism that he hasn’t felt since first being elected, Farenthold said.

What excites him more is the possibility of the election of a Republican president this November. That opportunity is why he wishes to succeed in the March 1 GOP primary for a chance to sail to victory come time for the general election.

“A lot out of the White House is ‘my way or the highway,’” he said, commenting on the gridlock that often grips Washington. 

He puts blame on President Barack Obama for keeping an agenda that alienates Republicans. While Farenthold admits that it takes three branches of government to tango, the President could do a better job on many things, those which Farenthold highlights in his re-election bid.

For him and his constituents, it’s border security, defeating Islamic radicalism, providing for the military and its veterans and job creation that are the keys to America’s success and security. 

Farenthold said the first thing that needs to be addressed is securing the border and making sure that “special interest aliens” — the term for Middle Eastern terrorists who slip across the border with nefarious means — do not come here to do Americans harm. Repairing relations with our allies and those of rulers in the Mid-East are paramount to those goals.

He points to his work to increase support for local and state authorities — including implementation of unmanned aerial drones — and his opposition to relocation of Syrian refugees in Texas, as his strong suits on border security.

Farenthold was at the recent State of the Union address, and though he sees what the President was trying to do, it will have little impact on our country or district, he said.

“This one was much more reflective and big-picture,” Farenthold said. “I think it was the President trying to define his legacy.”

While he can’t blame him for that, Farenthold says that he is disappointed that his legacy will be leaving a country that is headed in the wrong direction. The congressman points to this nation having better relations with Cuba and Iran now than with most of its longtime allies as being a problem.

“As I look back over the five years I’ve been here, it’s the administration lying to you,” he said, ticking off the Benghazi attack and the Affordable Care Act as a “break in the trust.”

While Farenthold’s Republican primary opponent looks to run to the right of him on the issues, the congressman points to his own positions as the gold standard of his Tea Party credentials. Stances on veteran’s affairs, anti-abortion and preserving Second Amendment rights are all hallmarks that should propel him to re-election, he explains.

As for questions raised by his opponent over his votes in the house, the three-term congressman took issue with the position of his challenger.

“I don’t see how he could say that with a straight face,” Farenthold said of the attacks. “I think my record speaks for itself.”

Farenthold points to his pro-veterans voting record and the fact that 70 percent of the traffic his office receives are for helping veterans deal with the federal government. That along with co-authoring HB303 that granted medical leave for vets with disabilities, supporting the Veterans Choice program that allows vets to see private healthcare providers instead of going to a faraway VA facility and the opening of a Veterans Center in Victoria to consolidate services for those who have served are just some of several initiatives that proves his pro-military bona fides.

“If you look up what I’ve done, it’s what’s best for the country and best for the district,” Farenthold said. “I’m happy to discuss the issues with anybody. I’ll put my record up against any criticism he wants to throw my way.”

He says that his votes are strictly in-line with the values of the voters of District 27.

The congressman looks to be back in the area tonight if his work schedule allows it. If the House lets out by 1 p.m., he should be at the President’s Day Dinner hosted by the Gonzales County Republican Party at Victoria College starting at 6 p.m.

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