Immigrant of the Day: Ciro Davis Rodriguez (Mexico)

Ciro Davis Rodriguez (born December 9, 1946) is a Democratic Congressman who represents Texas’s 23rd congressional district. Rodriguez has served in public office for over 30 years, first on a school board, then as a member of the Texas House of Representatives.

Rodriguez was born in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, but was raised and received his education in San Antonio, Texas. He graduated from St. Mary’s University with a B.A. in Political Science and earned his Master of Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University.

From 1975 to 1987, Rodriguez served as a board member of the Harlandale Independent School District, working as an educational consultant for the Intercultural Development Research Association, and served as a caseworker with the Department of Mental Health & Mental Retardation. From 1987 to 1996, he taught at Our Lady of the Lake University’s Worden School of Social Work.

Rodriguez served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1987 to 1997.  In 1997, Congressman Frank Tejeda died. A special election to fill the remainder of his service was held, resulting in Rodriguez being elected to Congress.   He chaired the Congressional Hispanic Caucus from 2003-04.

After redistricting in 2003, Rodriguez lost the primary—the real contest in this district—by 58 votes. Rodriguez tried to regain his old House seat in 2006.   Rodriguez lost the Democratic primary.

in 2006 in LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS v. PERRY, 126 S. Ct. 2594 (2006), the U.S. Supreme Court later ruled that the Texas Legislature had violated the Voting Rights Act. A three-judge panel drew new district lines. The new 23rd districy includes Rodriguez’s home, along with much of his old south San Antonio base. Rodriguez announced that he would run for Congress in the district.  In the primary, incumbent Henry Bonilla emerged with 48.1% and Ciro Rodriguez with 20.3%. In the runoff election, Rodriguez, in an upset victory, defeated Bonilla 54% to 46%.

Rodriguez is a naturalized U.S. citizen.

For U.S. Congressman Ciro Rodriguez’s bio in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, click here.

KJ