Farenthold Challenges Career Politician Solomon Ortiz to Debate

Press Release

Calls On 27 Year Incumbent To Defend His Record As A Washington Insider

Republican Congressional Candidate Blake Farenthold today called on Solomon Ortiz to stop hiding from the people of District 27 and publicly debate issues important to the future of America.

"This is a much too important time in our nation's history to let Solomon Ortiz hide the fact he is now voting virtually in lockstep with Nancy Pelosi and the rest of the liberals in Washington D.C.," said Farenthold. "These votes do not reflect the values of South Texas. Keeping our nation on solid financial footing, securing our borders and keeping taxes low are not just Republican issues, they also affect Democrats and Independents across District 27."

The first requests for debates were sent to Ortiz in July to Ortiz' campaign and congressional offices in Corpus Christi , Brownsville and Washington, D.C. The campaign has asked for at least three debates in the cities of Brownsville, Kingsville and Corpus Christi.

Staffers in Ortiz' office refused to sign for one of the letters which were sent by certified mail to ensure that Ortiz and his staff received the requests to debate. "At least two of the letters were signed for by other staffers so we know that Ortiz has received the message, " said Farenthold political strategist Steve Ray.

The Farenthold campaign has already discussed and accepted preliminary requests for debates from business groups and the Tea Party. It has also discussed potential debates with interested media groups in the district.

"I don't blame Solomon Ortiz from trying to run away from questions about his record and beliefs," Ray said. "But South Texans deserve answers, not a game of hide and seek, when it comes to issues like bailing out Wall Street and voting against the wishes of his constituents on Obama Care."

The campaign has designated the week of September 13 through September. 19 as "Chicken Week" and is urging supporters to write, call and email Ortiz asking him to stop being a chicken and debate Farenthold. It has also launched a website www.ortizisachicken.com and is sending 400 rubber chickens to Ortiz offices throughout the district and in Washington D.C. A mascot named "Congressman Chicken" will also be visiting several events throughout the week urging Ortiz to stop being a chicken and debate the issues important to District 27.

Ray said that the campaign offered in the letter to take part in debates in Brownsville, Kingsville and Corpus Christi to make the debates geographically accessible to all of the District 27 voters. They offered to let the Congressman pick the dates and times. "We will be glad to meet Congressman Ortiz anywhere and at any time to discuss the issues important to this country," Ray said, "unless he wants to do it on one of his many trips to China."

Blake Farenthold is a Corpus Christi attorney, businessman and civic leader who is seeking election to the District 27 Congressional seat in the Nov. 2, 2010 election. His district covers Nueces, Kleberg, Kenedy, Willacy and parts of Cameron and San Patricio counties. For more information on Blake or his campaign go to www.blake.com.

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