Newly-elected Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas), one of the most unexpected new members of Congress, was an unpaid sidekick on a small Texas talk radio show at this time last year. Today, he was sworn in to the House, coming into Congress displaying little sign of the anti-Washington rhetoric that animated so many campaigns.
"It's a sense of awe and respect. Look at this House and the people who have come through it. This really is the people's House and anybody can serve," Farenthold said.
Farenthold's victory over Rep. Solomon Ortiz (D-Texas) was so shocking that even he declared in his victory speech that he had a nightmare during the campaign that he won the election. He was treated as a longshot candidate by both the former congressman and national Democrats. But he ended up winning -- by the razor-thin margin of 799 votes.
"We were kind of under the radar but that was because my opponent forgot this is the people's house," Farenthold said, taking a page out of House Speaker John Boehner's playbook. "That was his mistake and it's one I don't intend to repeat. I don't just represent the people who voted for me."
Farenthold sat next to Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle (R-N.Y.) in the House chamber during Boehner's swearing-in, and said both commiserated over the weeks-long recount that delayed their certification as winners. Both are considered among the top targets for Democrats in 2012.
"The national media and democrats have already labeled my election a toss up and I haven't even cast a single vote. Give me a couple of years to prove myself."
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/01/freshman-republican-anybody-can-serve--05
Farenthold's victory over Rep. Solomon Ortiz (D-Texas) was so shocking that even he declared in his victory speech that he had a nightmare during the campaign that he won the election. He was treated as a longshot candidate by both the former congressman and national Democrats. But he ended up winning -- by the razor-thin margin of 799 votes.
"We were kind of under the radar but that was because my opponent forgot this is the people's house," Farenthold said, taking a page out of House Speaker John Boehner's playbook. "That was his mistake and it's one I don't intend to repeat. I don't just represent the people who voted for me."
Farenthold sat next to Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle (R-N.Y.) in the House chamber during Boehner's swearing-in, and said both commiserated over the weeks-long recount that delayed their certification as winners. Both are considered among the top targets for Democrats in 2012.
"The national media and democrats have already labeled my election a toss up and I haven't even cast a single vote. Give me a couple of years to prove myself."
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/01/freshman-republican-anybody-can-serve--05