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Brian Ruiz
From SourceWatch
| This profile of a DEFEATED 2008 U.S. House candidate for Texas's district 31 is part of the "Wiki the Vote" project. | |
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Brian Ruiz is the Democratic candidate in the 2008 congressional elections for the 31st Congressional District (map) of Texas. He is the Democratic nominee to challenge incumbent Rep. John Carter (R-Tex.) in the general election in November 2008.
Contents |
Positions, record and controversies
Bio
Brian Patrick Ruiz was born and raised in Austin, Texas. He is the son of Abel, a former school board president, and Gloria, a former school teacher. He attended Austin High School in south Austin.
At the age of five, Ruiz received his first glimpse into the political world when his father ran for the Austin School Board. During that time, he would attend school during the day and join his parents at the campaign office in the evening.
Ruiz’ own political aspirations began when he attended the Democratic Presidential Convention in Atlanta, Georgia with his parents who were delegates. Six years later he became one of the youngest state delegates to the 1994 Texas Democratic Convention in Dallas, Texas.
He followed this by working on several other political campaigns including Congressman Lloyd Doggett’s first congressional campaign in 1994. Ruiz then went to work on his father’s campaign for state representative in 1995 and early 1996.
Soon after, Ruiz started at St. Edward’s University in Austin and graduated with a degree in Communications. At the same time, he began is career in communications by working in radio as a producer for Clear Channel Radio (ESPN The Zone).
While at St. Edward’s he met his wife Rebecca, an Ohio native, and two years later they were married. In 2004, they adopted their first child, Hannah. During the adoption process the Ruiz’s found out that they were pregnant with their second child, Christian. The Ruiz’s now call Hutto, Texas home.
In September 2007, Ruiz made the decision to run for Congress. Ruiz credits fatherhood as being the driving force to his candidacy. He said his desire to create a better district, country and world for his children is the reason he is running to become congressman for District 31.[citation needed]
2008 elections
In March 2008, Ruiz won the Democratic nomination to challenge Rep. John Carter (R-Tex.) in the 2008 congressional elections.[1][2]
Money in politics
Ruiz has pledged not to take money from special interests or lobbyists.
Committees and affiliations
Committees
Ruiz will be assigned committees if and when he is elected to Congress.
Affiliations
More background data
Contact
Main Phone: 512-686-4257
Main Fax: 512-501-3583
Main Email: info@ruizforcongress.com
Official Ruiz for Congress Web site
Main Campaign Headquarters
1901 East Palm Valley Blvd
Suite 215
Round Rock, TX 78664
Volunteer Headquarters/Williamson County Coordinated Campaign Headquarters
110 S. I-35
Suite 170
Round Rock, TX 78681
