Ortiz concedes District 27 race to Farenthold

U.S. Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz conceded late Monday to Congressman-elect Blake Farenthold.

Noting that the recount of more than 106,000 votes had been completed in the district, Ortiz said: “Therefore, with great respect and admiration in the Democratic process, I congratulate my opponent, Mr. R. Blake Farenthold, in his election to the 27th Congressional District of Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives.”

Cameron County, the last county in the district that includes San Patricio, Nueces, Kleberg, Kenedy, and Willacy counties, concluded its recount Monday, although the results were not available at press time.

“After a careful, tedious and meticulous manual recount in six South Texas counties, each candidate gained a handful of votes,” Ortiz, the Democratic Party incumbent for nearly 28 years, said in a press statement.

“Although I gained votes during the manual recount, I did not surpass my opponent’s lead,” Ortiz said. During the recounts, Farenthold, the Republican challenger, continued his lead over Ortiz by nearly 800 votes.

For his part, Farenthold said that, “it’s a great relief to have the uncertainty gone.”

Farenthold also told The Brownsville Herald that he is “very happy” and that Ortiz had been “very gracious.”

“He promised to work with me,” Farenthold said, adding that Ortiz also had invited him to Washington, D.C. to meet with him and his staff.

Farenthold said that he would be traveling to Washington D.C. to specifically meet with Ortiz. He added that he thanked Ortiz for his many years of service to the district.

To his supporters, Ortiz extended his heartfelt thanks, “from the very bottom of my heart, I thank you for standing by me and with me through it all. Words cannot tell how much I appreciate the love and support you have show me and my family over the years. Thank you for the good memories and endless accomplishments; thank you for your vote of confidence and for believing in me; thank you for your love and words of encouragement.”

Eperez-trevino@brownsvilleherald.com