Silvestre Reyes
Silvestre Reyes (b. November 10, 1944) was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from the state of Texas. Reyes represented the 16th Congressional District of Texas from 1997 to 2013.
Reyes ran for re-election in 2012. He was defeated by Beto O'Rourke in the Democratic primary on May 29, 2012.
Politico had listed Reyes as an incumbent facing a serious primary challenge in 2012.[1]
Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship by GovTrack, Reyes was a "rank-and-file Democrat."[2]
Biography
After earning his associate degree, Reyes served in the U.S. Army for two years, including service in Vietnam. Reyes then joined the U.S. Border Patrol, where he worked for over 26 years.[3]
Career
- 1997-2013: U.S. House of Representatives
- 1969-1995: U.S. Border Patrol
- 1966-1968: U.S. Army
Committee assignments
U.S. House
2011-2012
Reyes was a member of the following House committees[4]:
- House Committee on Armed Services
- Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces Democratic ranking member
- Subcommittee on Readiness Senior member
- House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Campaign themes
2012
Reyes' website listed the following issues:[5]
- Expanding Educational Opportunities
- Excerpt: "Education is both the birthright of every American and the foundation of our nation's greatness and success. Education has made us a freer people and unleashed the great potential of our diverse country."
- Providing Access to Quality and Affordable Healthcare
- Excerpt: "As a border community, El Paso faces unique health care challenges, including a high incidence of diseases like diabetes, tuberculosis, and cancer; a disproportionate number of uninsured and underinsured; and a shortage of health care professionals."
- Securing Our Borders and Our Nation
- Excerpt: "As residents of the US-Mexico border region in the post-September 11th world, El Pasoans understand the challenges of balancing our binational lifestyle and economy with our safety and security. To have true national security, we need to safeguard ourselves from attack while also safeguarding our economy and way of life."
- Leading on Border Issues
- Excerpt: "I ran for Congress in 1996 after serving in the United States Border Patrol for over 26 years to address what I saw as a lack of leadership in Washington on border issues. Thirteen years later, I remain the only Member of Congress with federal border law enforcement experience, and I am proud to provide leadership to my colleagues, my party and my country on border security, immigration and other border issues."
- Providing Water for El Paso and Protecting Our Natural Resources
- Excerpt: "Water is the most precious natural resource, especially in a desert city like El Paso. Competent resource management and cooperation among stakeholders is essential if we are to grow as a city and ensure our survival"
- Improving Care for Veterans
- Excerpt: "As a Vietnam combat veteran and as the federal representative for the El Paso region's nearly 60,000 veterans, one of my top priorities as a member of Congress is the well being of our veterans."
- Supporting Our Soldiers and Ft. Bliss
- Excerpt: "The military and the economy are closely intertwined in El Paso. Our military base, Fort Bliss, has grown into one of the crown jewels of the United States Army, and it has become a major positive force in the El Paso economy."
- Supporting a Strong Workforce
- Excerpt: "The election of a Democratic Congress and the inauguration of President Barack Obama brought with it a renewed sense of hope and optimism for our country and the labor movement in particular. After years of Republican leadership that was disconnected from the plight of everyday working Americans, indifferent toward middle class families, and focused on providing tax breaks for the wealthy, there is now renewed hope in Washington, D.C."
- Supporting Small Businesses in El Paso
- Excerpt: "Small businesses are the engine of America's economic system and supporting their growth and vitality in El Paso is a top priority. Fostering and maintaining a business-friendly environment is key to sustained economic growth."
Specific votes
Fiscal Cliff
Reyes voted for the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. He was one of 172 Democrats who voted in favor of the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257 - 167 vote on January 1, 2013.[6]
Elections
2012
Reyes ran for re-election in the 2012 election for the U.S. House, representing Texas' 16th District. He was defeated by Beto O'Rourke in the Democratic primary on May 29, 2012.[7]
According to a March 30, 2012 article from The Washington Post, that noted the top 10 incumbents who could lose their primaries, Reyes was the 2nd most likely incumbent to lose his primary.[8] Competition in the primary from former El Paso City Councilman Beto O'Rourke and being targeted by the Campaign for Primary Accountability were the main reasons for his vulnerability.[8] The article even goes so far as to state, "Reyes may be the Democrat most likely to lose his primary."[8]
Politico has also noted Reyes' vulnerability, saying Reyes faced his first primary threat since 1996. Beto O'Rourke portrayed Reyes as unresponsive and entrenched; the challenger also raised significant funding and received support from the Campaign for Primary Accountability. Reyes responded by gathering endorsements from Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, as well as pointing out O'Rourke's support of marijuana legalization.[1]
Targeted
Reyes was targeted by the Super PAC Campaign for Primary Accountability in the 16th District Democratic primary. The PAC targeted Reyes because he had served for a long time, his constituents are dissatisfied, and there was a capable challenger.[9]
A Reyes spokesperson criticized the Campaign for Primary Accountability's implicit support of primary Reyes challenger Beto O'Rourke, pointing out that Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor had contributed to the PAC for its efforts in a Republican primary in Illinois. The Huffington Post reports that the PAC's targeting of both Democratic and Republican incumbents means contributions like Cantor's will be controversial.[10]
2010
On November 2, 2010, Reyes won re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating Tim Besco (R), Bill Collins (L), and Tim Collins (Write-in).[11]
| U.S. House of Representatives General Election, Texas Congressional District 16, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Silvestre Reyes Incumbent |
58.1% | 49,301 | |
| Republican | Tim Besco | 36.6% | 31,051 | |
| Libertarian | Bill Collins | 5.1% | 4,319 | |
| Write-in | Tim Collins | 0.3% | 221 | |
| Total Votes | 84,892 | |||
Campaign finance summary
Ballotpedia currently provides campaign finance data for all federal- and state-level candidates from 2020 and later. We are continuously working to expand our data to include prior elections. That information will be published here as we acquire it. If you would like to help us provide this data, please consider donating to Ballotpedia.
Analysis
Congressional staff salaries
The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Reyes paid his congressional staff a total of $960,984 in 2011. Overall, Texas ranked 27th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[12]
Net worth
2011
Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Reyes' net worth as of 2011 was estimated between $2,002 to $30,000. That averages to $16,001, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic House members in 2011 of $5,107,874. His average calculated net worth[13] increased by 100.01% from 2010.[14]
2010
Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Reyes' net worth as of 2010 was estimated between $1,001 to $15,000. That averages to $8,000.50 which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic representatives in 2010 of $4,465,875.[15]
National Journal vote ratings
- See also: National Journal vote ratings
2012
Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Reyes ranked 131st in the liberal rankings among members of the U.S. House.[16]
2011
Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Reyes ranked 163rd in the liberal rankings among members of the U.S. House.[17]
Voting with party
November 2011
Reyes voted with the Democratic Party 88.8 percent of the time, which ranked 155 among the 192 House Democratic members as of November 2011.[18]
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term Silvestre + Reyes + Texas + Congress
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Reyes and his wife, Carolina, have three children and four grandchildren.[3]
External links
- Social media:
- Biographies:
- Political profiles:
- Financial (federal level):
- Interest group ratings:
- Issue positions:
- Public statements:
- Voting record:
- Media appearances:
- Media coverage:
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Politico, "5 incumbents facing primary fight," May 3, 2012
- ↑ GovTrack, "Reyes" accessed May 25, 2012
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Official House website, "Biography," accessed October 27, 2011
- ↑ Official House website, "Committee Assignments," accessed October 27, 2011
- ↑ Campaign website, Issues & Vision
- ↑ U.S. House, "Roll Call Vote on the Fiscal Cliff," accessed January 4, 2013
- ↑ Texas Democratic Party - Democratic Primary Candidates (dead link)
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 The Washingotn Post, "The next Jean Schmidt? The top 10 House incumbents who could lose their primaries" accessed April 1, 2012
- ↑ Houston Chronicle blog, "Houston-based super PAC targeting more Texas incumbents," April 8, 2012
- ↑ Huffington Post, "Eric Cantor Chaos: Campaign For Primary Accountability Donation Becomes Texas Democratic Issue," April 11, 2012
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ LegiStorm, "Silvestre Reyes," accessed September 13, 2012
- ↑ This figure represents the total percentage growth from either 2004 (if the member entered office in 2004 or earlier) or the member's first year in office (as noted in the chart below).
- ↑ OpenSecrets, "Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas), 2011," accessed February 25, 2013
- ↑ OpenSecrets, "Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas), 2010," accessed September 13, 2012
- ↑ National Journal, "2012 Congressional Vote Ratings," March 7, 2013
- ↑ National Journal, "Searchable Vote Ratings Tables: House," accessed February 23, 2012
- ↑ OpenCongress, "Voting With Party," accessed July 2014
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Ronald D. Coleman |
U.S. House of Representatives - Texas, 16th District 1997-2013 |
Succeeded by Beto O'Rourke |
