Henry Bonilla

Henry Bonilla (born January 2, 1954 in San Antonio, Texas) is a politician from the state of Texas.

Related Topics:
January 2 - 1954 - San Antonio, Texas - Politician - State - Texas

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Bonilla attended public school in San Antonio and then the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with a B.A. degree in journalism. Bonilla was a popular newscaster in San Antonio before entering politics.

Related Topics:
University of Texas at Austin - Journalism

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In 1992, he won a seat in the House of Representatives as a Republican, representing Texas' 23rd district (map). The 23rd had been a Democratic district since its creation in 1967, but Bonilla charged three-term incumbent Albert Bustamante with neglecting his district's needs. Bonilla won by the largest margin of victory against an incumbent that year. He has compiled a very conservative voting record despite the fact that his district had a slight Democratic lean until 2004.

Related Topics:
1992 - House of Representatives - Republican - Democratic - 1967 - Albert Bustamante - 2004

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Largely because redistricting that created the 28th district left a heavily Republican section of San Antonio in the 23rd, Bonilla didn't face a credible challenge until 2002, when former Democratic Secretary of State Henry Cuellar came within 2 points of unseating him. Cuellar was priming for a rematch in 2004, but new redistricting moved most of Cuellar's hometown of Laredo to the 28th district. Bonilla won re-election by a 2-to-1 margin.

Related Topics:
2002 - Henry Cuellar - Laredo

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Bonilla announced that he would likely run for the United States Senate seat currently held by Kay Bailey Hutchison in the event that she ran for Governor of Texas. However, Hutchison eventually decided to run for another term in the Senate.

Related Topics:
United States Senate - Kay Bailey Hutchison - Governor of Texas

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