Biography | Solomon Ortiz, Jr.

A Strong Voice for Coastal Bend Families

State Representative Solomon Ortiz Jr. was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas. He attended high school at Incarnate Word Academy and then began his college career at Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi. Solomon went on to graduate from Texas A&M University -- College Station with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.

After college, Solomon decided to return to Corpus Christi and give back to his community. He worked for the Corpus Christi Independent School District at the Adult Learning Center, where he taught math to GED students. His class had the highest attendance record of any GED class and many of his students graduated and continued on to college.

Solomon later worked at a local non-profit foundation that focused on visiting schools to teach children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. The Fighting to Rid Gangs in America Foundation also sponsored mentoring classes, computer classes, an after-school meal program, a summer lunch program and various other activities to keep children off drugs and alcohol.

He ran for Nueces County Democratic Party Chairman in 2002 and won a three man race without a run-off, becoming the youngest elected party chairman in Texas. He served two terms for a total of four years. As party chair, he administered the primary elections and managed the election budget. During his tenure, he embraced technology and initiated real-time filing updates and a county-wide voter registration project.

Representative Solomon Ortiz, Jr. was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in a special election in November 2006. He was sworn in November 25th by his father, United States Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz Sr., in Corpus Christi. Rep. Ortiz was appointed to the Law Enforcement, Rules and Resolutions, and Economic Development Committees. During the 80th Legislative Session, Rep. Ortiz fought to raise teacher salaries, increase the number of children who have health insurance, and fund cancer research. He authored legislation to legalize needle exchange programs to fight the spread of HIV and other diseases, an effort which culminated in the state allowing a needle exchange pilot program in Bexar County. Rep. Ortiz also filed bills to restore cuts made to the children's health insurance program in 2003 and to require insurers provide maternity coverage to expectant mothers. He passed an amendment designating TAMUCC as the institution responsible for collecting and managing elevation data from across the state that helps prevent and prepare for flooding, and another amendment allowing a Grand Prix race to take place in Corpus Christi. He also passed a bill allowing parents the right to access their children's criminal records, and successfully fought to protect Corpus Christi's water rights. Next session Ortiz will re-introduce legislation to create a professional engineering school at TAMUCC and expand current programs.

He is also a member of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, the Texas Manufacturer's Caucus, the Community College Caucus, the Texas Democratic Caucus and the National Conference of State Legislators Labor and Economic Development Committee.

District 33 is entirely within the city of Corpus Christi. The district stretches along the SPID freeway, and includes parts of West Oso-Molina, central and Southside Corpus Christi, and Flour Bluff. Del Mar College, Padre Staples Mall, and Oso Bay are in District 33, as are Moody, Carroll, and Flour Bluff High Schools.