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Brian Babin

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Brian Babin
Member-elect of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from Texas's 36th district
Assuming office
January 3, 2015
SucceedingSteve Stockman
Mayor of Woodville, Texas
In office
1982–1984
Personal details
Born (1948-03-23) March 23, 1948 (age 76)
Port Arthur, Texas
Political partyRepublican
SpouseRoxanne
ChildrenMarit, Leif, Kirsten, Lucas, Laura Larua
OccupationDentist

Brian Babin (born March 23, 1948) is an American dentist and politician who is the Republican member-elect of the United States House of Representatives from 36th, elected 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 1975 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 thus worked for the Ronald Reagan campaign for President, 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 the Mayor of Woodville (1982–1984), a Woodville City Councilman (1984–1989), Chairman of the Tyler County Republican Party (1990–1995), a member of the Woodville Independent School District Board (1992–1995) and Director of the Tyler County Chamber of Commerce.[1] He has also served as President of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (1981–1987), on the Deep East Texas Council of Governments (1982–1984) and on the Texas Historical Commission (1989–1995).[1][6] In 1999, he was appointed by Governor Bush to the Lower Neches Valley Authority and has been reappointed to the body by Governor Rick Perry, most recently in 2013. His current term expires in 2019.[1][7][8]

1996 Congressional election

When twelve-term Democratic Congressman Charlie Wilson of Texas's 2nd congressional district decided to retire in 1996, Babin ran to succeed him. In the Republican primary, he came second out of five candidates, with 7,094 votes (31.01%), behind Donna Peterson, the nominee for the seat in 1990, 1992 and 1994, who took 8,047 votes (35.18%). As no candidate secured a majority, Babin faced Peterson in a runoff, and defeated her 7,405 votes (66.83%) to 3,675 (33.16%). In the general election, he lost to Democrat Jim Turner by 102,908 votes (52.24%) to 89,838 (45.6%).

After the 1996 election, Babin became involved in a campaign finance scandal concerning $37,000 in illegal donations from businessman Peter Cloeren that were moved through "vehicles" to circumvent the individual contribution limit of $1,000. Cloeren asserted in an affidavit that Babin and then-House Majority Whip Tom DeLay laundered his donations through other candidates and organisations.[9][10] Babin and DeLay denied his allegations.[11] Cloeren pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations and paid a $400,000 fine and received a two-year suspended prison sentence. Babin paid a $20,000 civil penalty and paid back $5,000 in excessive contributions for "accepting an excessive contribution and a contribution in the name of another and failing to disclose financial activity properly."[12]

1998 Congressional election

Babin sought a rematch with Turner in 1998. Unopposed in the Republican primary, he was again defeated in the general election, by 81,556 votes (58.42%) to 56,891 (40.75%).

During the campaign, Babin's campaign manager was 21-year-old Jon-Marc McDonald. McDonald gained national attention when he simultaneously came out of the closet as a gay man and resigned as campaign manager. In August 1998, McDonald abruptly stepped down, citing "irreconcilable differences" with Babin over the issue of homosexuality. According to The Dallas Morning News, McDonald announced his resignation via press release without discussing it with Babin, and his sudden departure left those in the campaign shocked and confused.[13][14] In the press release, McDonald wrote "There comes a time when your convictions take precedence over your job, your title and your status."[15]

McDonald generated further press coverage when he stated in an interview after his resignation that Babin thought "homosexuals should be shot", a claim Babin adamantly denied. In some press reports, Babin claimed that McDonald was not the campaign manager, but instead a "volunteer coordinator", also a paid position.[16] An article by Hastings Wyman of the Southern Political Report suggested that McDonald was forced to resign by the local media threatening to "out" him.[17] The resignation received widespread national media attention because of the sensationalistic way it transpired.[18]

U.S. House of Representatives

2014 Congressional election

After Republican Congressman Steve Stockman of 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.[19] 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 received 12,024 votes (23.33%). In the runoff, Babin defeated Streusand by 19,301 votes (57.84%) to 14,069 (42.16%),[20] and defeated Democrat Michael Cole in the general election.[21]

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

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Bio". Babin for Congress. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Paris, Texas". The New York Times. March 10, 2002. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  3. ^ "This Incoming Member of Congress Has a Pretty Cool Family". Politix.topix.com. May 31, 2014. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d Jennings, David (March 2, 2014). "2014 Primary: Dr. Brian Babin, CD-36". Houston Chronicle.
  5. ^ a b "Likely Stockman Successor Has Deep Texas Roots". Roll Call. August 29, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  6. ^ "Appointees Join Historical Panel". The Victoria Advocate. Retrieved February 5, 1989. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  7. ^ "Brian Babin's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  8. ^ "Gov. Perry Reappoints Three to the Lower Neches Valley Authority Board of Directors". Governor of Texas. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  9. ^ "DeLay Inc". Salon. October 4, 2004. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  10. ^ "DeLay politics may carry heavy price". USA Today. October 17, 2005. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  11. ^ "INVESTIGATION OF POLITICAL FUNDRAISING IMPROPRIETIES AND POSSIBLE VIOLATIONS OF LAW INTERIM REPORT". COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM AND OVERSIGHT. November 5, 1998. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  12. ^ "FEC Collects $198,900 in Civil Penalties". Federal Election Commission. June 20, 2008. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  13. ^ "U.S. Briefs", PlanetOut, August 25, 1998, archived from the original on May 5, 2000, retrieved October 22, 2008
  14. ^ Hillman, G. Robert (August 25, 1998), "Congressional challenger's top aide resigns", Dallas Morning News, retrieved October 22, 2008
  15. ^ Max B. Baker (August 30, 1998), "The Insider Report: If they had made one, he would know", Star-Telegram, retrieved October 23, 2008 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ Bernstein, Alan (August 25, 1998), "CAMPAIGN 98 / Campaign Notebook", Houston Chronicle, retrieved October 22, 2008
  17. ^ Wyman, Hastings (September 14, 1998), "Texas Governor's Race: Rehearsing for the Millennium", Metro Weekly, Capital Letters, Washington DC
  18. ^ Ryan, Thornburg (August 25, 1998), "GOP Aide Resigns From Texas Campaign Over Boss's Views on Gays", The Washington Post, retrieved October 27, 2008
  19. ^ "The Most Important Race for NASA & Houston's Economy". The Houston Chronicle. February 14, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  20. ^ Diaz, Kevin (May 27, 2014). "Babin wins Steve Stockman's congressional seat". Beaumont Enterprise.
  21. ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/04/brian-babin-midterm-election-results_n_5960962.html

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