Brian Babin
Brian Babin | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 23, 1948 Port Arthur, Texas |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Roxanne |
| Children | Marit, Leif, Kirsten, Lucas, Laura Larua |
| Occupation | Dentist |
Brian Babin (born March 23, 1948) is an American dentist and politician who is the Republican nominee for Texas's 36th congressional district in the 2014 elections. Babin is the former Mayor of Woodville and was the nominee for Texas's 2nd congressional district in 1996 and 1998.
Early and personal life
Babin graduated from Lamar University in 1973 and later went on to serve as an officer in the United States Air Force from 1975 to 1979, retiring at the rank of Captain. While serving, he earned a B.S. in biology from Lamar University in 1973 and then enrolled in the University of Texas Dental School and graduated with his D.D.S. in 1976.[1] To pay for his tuition, he worked as a janitor, merchant seaman and postman and sang folk and country music in local restaurants with his wife Roxanne, whom he met in college.[1][2]
Babin and his wife Roxanne have been married since 1972 and they have five children: daughter Marit, an attorney and former press staffer at the National Republican Congressional Committee; son Leif, a former Navy SEAL; twins Kirsten, an educator, and Lucas, a model and actor; and daughter Laura Larua.[1][2] He is also the father-in-law of journalist and Fox News Channel anchor Jenna Lee, who is married to his son Leif.[3]
Career
Babin has been engaged in general dental practice in Woodville since 1979.[1] He first entered politics in 1980, saying that when stationed overseas he felt "demoralized" by Democratic President Jimmy Carter. He worked for the Ronald Reagan campaign, first as county co-ordinator and then regional co-ordinator. Deep East Texas was then heavily Democratic and Babin is considered to be "instrumental" in turning the region Republican.[1][4][5] He also worked at the county, state and regional level for Reagan's re-election campaign, the George H. W. Bush campaign for President and the Bill Clements and George W. Bush campaigns for Governor of Texas.
Additionally, he has variously served as a Woodville City Councilman, the Mayor of Woodville, a member of the Woodville Independent School District Board and Director of the Tyler County Chamber of Commerce.[1] He has also served on the Texas Historical Commission, the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners and the Deep East Texas Council of Governments.[1] Since 1999, he has served on the Lower Neches Valley Authority.[1]
When twelve-term Democratic Congressman Charlie Wilson of Texas's 2nd congressional district decided to retire in 1996, Babin was the Republican nominee to succeed him. He lost to Democrat Jim Turner by 52% to 46%. He sought a rematch with Turner in 1998 and was again defeated, by 58% to 41%.
2014 Congressional election
After Republican Congressman Steve Stockman of the Texas's 36th congressional district made a late decision to run for the U.S. Senate instead of for re-election, Babin ran to succeed him in the 2014 elections.[6] In the twelve-candidate Republican primary, Babin finished first with 17,194 votes (33.36%). As he did not receive a majority, he proceeded to a runoff with the second-placed candidate, mortgage banker and candidate for Texas's 10th congressional district in 2004 Ben Streusand, who had recieved 12,024 votes (23.33%). Babin defeted Streusand by 19,301 votes (57.84%) to 14,069 (42.16%) and will face Democrat Michael Cole in the general election.[7]
Political positions
Babin cites water conservation, repealing the Affordable Care Act and stopping illegal immigration as his main priorities.[4] He believes in the Protestant work ethic and the concept of "if you don’t work, you don’t eat, if you are able to work." He supports term limits and wants to reduce the number of out of wedlock births and restore the traditional family unit.[4] He also believes that taxes are too high and the tax code is too complex.[4]
Athough Babin helped found and is a member of the Tyler County Patriots, he does not identify as a member of the Tea Party, saying "I believe with all my heart in less government, lower taxes and more individual responsibility and more economic freedom, and you can put whatever label you want to on it."[5]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Bio". Babin for Congress. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
- ^ a b "Paris, Texas". The New York Times. March 10, 2002. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
- ^ "This Incoming Member of Congress Has a Pretty Cool Family". Politix.topix.com. 2014-05-31. Retrieved 2014-07-13.
- ^ a b c d Jennings, David (March 2, 2014). "2014 Primary: Dr. Brian Babin, CD-36". Houston Chronicle.
- ^ a b "Likely Stockman Successor Has Deep Texas Roots". Roll Call. August 29, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
- ^ "The Most Important Race for NASA & Houston's Economy". The Houston Chronicle. February 14, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
- ^ Diaz, Kevin (May 27, 2014). "Babin wins Steve Stockman's congressional seat". Beaumont Enterprise.