Randy Weber

Randy Weber
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 14th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2013
Preceded by	Ron Paul
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 29th district
In office January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2013
Preceded by	Mike O'Day
Succeeded by	Ed Thompson
Pearland City Council
In office 1990–1996
Personal details
Born	July 2, 1953[1] Pearland, Texas, U.S.
Political party	Republican (1990–present)
Spouse(s)	Brenda
Children	3
Residence	Alvin, Texas, U.S.[2]
Alma mater	University of Houston–Clear Lake
Profession	Small businessman and a politician
Religion	Baptist
Website	Representative Randy Weber

Randy Weber (born July 2, 1953) an American businessman and a politician. He is a member of the United States House of Representatives. He has represented Texas' 14th congressional district since 2013, succeeding Ron Paul. He defeated former Congressman Nick Lampson on November 6, 2012, by a 53% to 45% margin. He was a member of the Texas House of Representatives, representing the 29th district. He is a member of the Republican Party.^[3]

Early life, education, and business career

He graduated from Alvin Community College and in 1977 earned a BS in public affairs from the University of Houston–Clear Lake. In 1981, he founded Weber'’s Air & Heat Air-Conditioning Company.^[4]

Early political career

He was a city councilman of Pearland, Texas for six years. In addition he served as Brazoria County Grand Jury Commissioner, Brazoria County Redistricting Committee, Texas Republican Party Convention delegate, president of Brazoria County Cities Association, member of the Brazoria County Republican Party, and chairman of the Pearland Area Republican Party Headquarters.^[5]

Texas House of Representatives

Elections

After State Representative Glenda Dawson died on September 12, 2006,^[6] a special election was held on December 19. Businessman Mike P. O'Day earned 48% of the vote, falling just short of the 50% threshold. Weber earned 28% of the vote, qualifying for the run-off.^[7] In the January run-off, O'Day defeated him 57%–43%.^[8]

O'Day decided to retire. Weber ran for the March 2008 primary and won with 59% of the vote.^[9] He won the general election with 60% of the vote.^[10] He won re-election to a second term in 2010 with 85% of the vote.^[11]

Committee assignments

• Border & Intergovernmental Affairs Committee (Vice Chairman)
• Public Education Committee^[12]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2012

After Republican U.S. Representative Ron Paul of Texas' 14th congressional district decided to retire, nine Republicans decided to run in the newly redrawn district. Weber received endorsements from Governor Rick Perry and Ron Paul. He ranked first with 28% of the vote, but failed to reach the 50% threshold. In the run-off, he defeated Pearland City Councilwoman Felicia Harris 62%–37%.^[13] He defeated former Congressman Nick Lampson on November 6, 2012, by a 53% to 45% margin.^[3] Based upon Weber's vote total in 2012, Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball named Weber one of their "Underachievers" because he received only 54% of the vote in his Congressional district while Mitt Romney received 59%.^[14]

Committee assignments

• Committee on Foreign Affairs
  • Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations
  • Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa
• Committee on Science, Space and Technology
  • Subcommittee on Energy
  • Subcommittee on Environment

Controversies

In January 2014, during President Obama's State of the Union address, Weber in a tweet referred to the President as "Kommandant-In-Chef" [sic] and "the Socialist dictator." After the White House apologized for failing to send a more high profile leader to a demonstration in Paris following the January 2015 terrorist attacks in that city, Weber tweeted, "Even Adolph [sic] Hitler thought it more important than Obama to get to Paris."^[15] Weber then wrote that he needed to "apologize to all those offended by my tweet". He did not choose to withdraw his earlier tweet made during the State of the Union address.^[15]

Personal life

He has been married to Brenda Weber, a Pearland schoolteacher, for over 30 years. They have three children and four grandchildren.^[4]

References

1. Randy Weber – Texas – Bio, News, Photos – Washington Times
2. McCutcheon, Michael; Barone, Chuck (2013). 2014 Almanac of American Politics. The University of Chicago Press.
3. Pinkerton, James. GOP's Weber beats Lampson in race to succeed Ron Paul, Houston Chronicle, November 7, 2012.
4. Randy Weber – Meet Randy
5. Representative Randy Weber Biography – Project Vote Smart
6. State Rep. Glenda Dawson, of Pearland, dies – Houston Chronicle
7. Our Campaigns – TX State House 029 – Special Election Race – Dec 19, 2006
8. Our Campaigns – TX State House 029 – Special Election Runoff Race – Jan 16, 2007
9. Our Campaigns – TX State House 029 – R Primary Race – Mar 04, 2008
10. Our Campaigns – TX State House 029 Race – Nov 04, 2008
11. Our Campaigns – TX State House 029 Race – Nov 02, 2010
12. Texas House of Representatives : Representative Thompson, Ed
13. Our Campaigns – TX District 14 – R Runoff Race – Jul 31, 2012
14. Kondik, Kyle. Sanford Joins “the Underachievers”, Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball, May 9, 2013.
15. Ohlheiser, Abby (13 January 2015). "Texas Rep. Randy Weber said Obama is basically worse than Hitler. He has since apologized.". www.washingtonpost.com (The Washington Post). Retrieved 13 January 2015.

External links

• Congressman Randy Weber
• Randy Weber for Congress
• Randy Weber at DMOZ
• Appearances on C-SPAN
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Profile at Project Vote Smart
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at The Library of Congress
• Profile at the Texas Tribune
• Profile at Vote TX