Profile of U.S. Rep. District 27 candidates

SOLOMON P. ORTIZ, 70, (D)

Family: Divorced, with two children and one grandchild.

Occupation: U.S. Represtative District 27.

Political History: Member of Congress from 1982-present; Nueces County

Sheriff from 1976-1982, Nueces County Commissioner from 1968-1976;

Nueces County Constable from 1964-1968.

Education: GED while serving in the U.S. Army

Web site: www.house.gov/ortiz

GEORGE BENAVIDEZ, 56, (R)

Family: Married with two children.

Occupation: Family and emergency physician.

Political history: Served on the executive board of the Nueces County Medical Society and participated in various functions, including Texas Medical Association “First Tuesday at the Capitol,” Malpractice/Tort Reform Task Force, Public Education/Public Relationships Committee, and served as a Texas Medical Association delegate.

Affiliations: American Academy of Family Practice; Fellowship American Academy of Family Practice; American Board of Emergency Medicine; American Medical Association; Gulf Coast Chapter AAFP; American Heart Association; SIDS Foundation and American Kidney Foundation.

Education: University of New Mexico School, graduate; University of New Mexico School of Medicine, graduate; University of Health Services Center in San Antonio, residency.

Web site: www.nuecesrepublicans.com

WILLIAM “WILLIE” VADEN, 59, (R)

Family: Married, four children, seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild.

Occupation: Marine surveyor/port captain. As a marine surveyor, he checks ships for quantity and quality for U.S. Customs and Treasury departments. He has been designated a port captain since 1978.

Political history: Former Mayor of Ingleside and current city Council, from 1999-2008. Candidate for U.S Congress 2004 and 2006.

Affiliations: American Petroleum Institute; American Society of Testing and Measurement; Veterans of Foreign Wars, member; Disabled American Veterans, member; American Legion, member; Americas Last Patrol #3, member; Navy League, member; National Rifle Association, member; United Way Caregiver; and South Texas Children’s Charities.

Education: Attended Del Mar College, Corpus Christi; and 30 years in maritime.

Web site: www.vaden4congress.com