Charlie Gonzalez
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Charles A. Gonzalez (born May 5, 1945), American politician, has represented the Texas 20th congressional district (map (http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/preview/congdist/tx20_109.gif)) in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democratic congressman since 1999.
Charles Gonzalez was born in San Antonio, Texas. His father, Henry B. Gonzalez, served as the representative for the 20th district from 1961 until his son took over in 1999. Charlie graduated from Thomas A. Edison High School. He received his bachelor's degree in government from the University of Texas at Austin in 1969, and then later earned his law 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 began rising through the ranks of the court system. 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.
In his first run for his father's former seat in the House of Representatives, he defeated his only major challenger, Republican James Walker, carrying 63% of the vote. In the 2000 election, Gonzalez faced no serious challenge, and he received 88% of the vote. In 2002 he ran completely unopposed.
Gonzalez sits on the Energy & Commerce Committee. He is a former member of the Small Business Committee, the Select Committee on Homeland Security, and the Financial Services Committee. He is also a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
References
- U.S. Representative Charlie Gonzalez - Official Site (http://www.house.gov/gonzalez/)
- Project Vote Smart - Representative Gonzalez (http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=CTX54858)
- Election Information - U.S. House Office of the Clerk (http://clerk.house.gov/members/electionInfo/elections.html)