Thread: Rep. Gonzalez will not run again

Rep. Gonzalez will not run again

Decision opens doors for Castro, Rodriguez.

By Gary Martin, gmartin@express-news.net
Updated 01:22 a.m., Saturday, November 26, 2011

WASHINGTON — Rep. Charlie Gonzalez said Friday he won't seek re-election, a decision that will end the congressional tenure of a Democratic family whose name has been synonymous with the city of San Antonio for more than half a century.

Gonzalez, who sued the state over a redistricting plan that carved downtown out of his central San Antonio congressional district, said it was not reapportionment, but the need to provide financial stability for his family that's forcing him to seek a new career.

“I still find the job hugely rewarding, but the demands pull me somewhere else,â€

Where Will Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Charlie Gonzalez Land After Retirement Next Year?

By Michael Beckel on November 28, 2011 11:00 AM

Is the lure of the private sector too much for Rep. Charlie Gonzalez (D-Texas)?

Over the weekend, Gonzalez, the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and a seven-term congressman, announced that he would not seek re-election at the end of his term next year.

"I still find the job hugely rewarding, but the demands pull me somewhere else," Gonzalez told the San Antonio Express-News. "I've been in Congress for 14 years and I want to do something else -- what that is I really don't know. But financially I would like to be productive and have the resources to make a better life."

The current salary for rank-and-file members of the U.S. House of Representatives is $174,000 per year -- and lawmakers who spin through Washington's so-called "revolving door" after leaving Congress can cash in and make much more.

If Gonzalez finds work in the private sector after his career in Congress, he'll be among friends.

Currently, at least four of Gonzalez's former staffers work for lobbying firms or as in-house lobbyists.
• Michael Torra, a principal at the Raben Group, previously worked for Gonzalez as well as three other members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

•Kevin Kimble, is the vice president for federal affairs at Cash America -- a pawn shop operator and provider of payday loans. Since 2009, Kimble, who previously worked as Gonzalez's chief of staff, has been a lobbyist for the company.

•Rosemary Garza, a lobbyist for Medtronic since 2007, previously worked as an aide to Gonzalez.

•Michael Kans, a lobbyist for Williams & Jensen since 2009, previously worked as Gonzalez's press sectary. Kans' clients now include Goldman Sachs, Imperial Sugar and the city of New Haven, Conn.
Additionally, according to research by the Center for Responsive Politics, 370 former members of Congress have passed through D.C.'s revolving door, with many of those logging stints on K Street.

Over his career, Gonzalez has raised about $6.2 million, according to the Center's research.

Of that sum, more than 13 percent -- or $831,200 -- came from people and political action committees associated with the finance, insurance and real estate sector, according to the Center's research. No other sector contributed more.

Gonzalez's No. 2 benefactor, the health sector, contributed about $757,200 to him over his career -- or about 12 percent of all funds he raised.

Meanwhile the legal sector and labor unions each accounted for about 11 percent of all the money Gonzalez raised over his career. Lawyers and lobbyists have contributed about $689,900 to Gonzalez over his career, according to the Center's research, while labor unions have donated $663,250.

Furthermore, the top donors to Gonzalez over his career read like a who's who of Washington power players.

People and PACs associated with telecom giant AT&T donated more money to Gonzalez than any other organization, at $80,550, according to the Center's research.

Trial lawyers took the No. 2 slot, with the American Association for Justice's PAC donating $75,500 to Gonzalez over his career.

The National Auto Dealers Association, the Communications Workers of America and Clear Channel Communications rounded out Gonzalez's top five backers.

According to the Cook Political Report, Gonzalez is the 16th House Democrat to announce he will not seek re-election, including Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), who, this morning, announced his intentions to retire at the end of next year. At the same time, seven House Republicans have likewise said they will not seek another term in 2012.

www.opensecrets.org

Gonzalez leaves legacy of helping S.A.

Gary Martin, Express-News Columnist

Updated 11:13 p.m., Friday, December 2, 2011

Rep. Charlie Gonzalez's decision not to seek re-election leaves San Antonio's congressional delegation with less experience and clout.

Combined with an interim redistricting plan put forth by a federal judicial panel, Gonzalez's move will ensure that two freshmen hail from San Antonio in the next House of Representatives.

And a competitive race in the 23rd Congressional District is shaping up between freshman San Antonio Republican Rep. Quico Canseco and Democratic state Rep. Pete Gallego of Alpine.

The court-drawn map also removes Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, from Bexar County, entirely.

The shake-up leaves San Antonio with Rep. Lamar Smith, the dean of the local delegation and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, as the only local lawmaker with any seniority in the House.

Gonzalez's surprise announcement that he intends to retire after 14 years in Congress will have a major impact on how the city is represented in Washington.

Even the president took note.

“In Congress, Charlie has fought tirelessly for a cleaner environment, Wall Street reform and more accessible health care for Texans,â€

[quote]But he says his responsibility also has been to provide a voice “for greater opportunity for Hispanics in the public and private sectors.â€

Nothing like making due on $174,000 a year of tax payer money, that was used to pay someone to advance causes for those violating our sovereignty. Must have been hard times for Charlie and his family! I suspect greener pastures lie ahead for Charlie- in the field of lobbying- on behalf of la raza and other ethno-centric causes.

Only in America.....

Between he and his father it has been 50 years...That clearly shows just how much damage he has done to this country in that span of time, undermining our interest for the sake of others....You guys are right there on "greener pastures & violating our sovereignty" I bet he has locked in a cushy position for himself making lots of payback money...my opinion of course.