Fact Check: Farenthold was elected in 2010, defeating a long-serving Democrat.

Fact Check: "Farenthold was elected in 2010, defeating a long-serving Democrat."

What We Know

Blake Farenthold, a member of the Republican Party, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010, defeating the incumbent Democrat Solomon Ortiz. Farenthold won the election by a narrow margin of 799 votes, receiving 47.85% of the vote compared to Ortiz's 47.1% (Blake Farenthold - Wikipedia). Ortiz had served as a U.S. representative since 1983 and was known for his long tenure in Congress, making him a significant figure in Texas politics (Solomon Ortiz - Wikipedia). The election was notable as it marked the end of Ortiz's 27-year career in the House, during which he had been re-elected multiple times with substantial margins (Blake Farenthold - Wikipedia, HuffPost).

Analysis

The claim that Farenthold was elected in 2010 by defeating a long-serving Democrat is accurate. The election results show that Farenthold's victory was a significant upset, as Ortiz had been a well-established politician in the district for decades. The redistricting that occurred after the 2010 census played a crucial role in this election, as it made the district more favorable to Republican candidates, contributing to Ortiz's defeat (Blake Farenthold - Wikipedia, Texas Tribune).

The sources used in this analysis are credible, primarily relying on Wikipedia entries that summarize the political careers of both Farenthold and Ortiz. While Wikipedia can be edited by anyone, the information presented is consistent with multiple news reports and analyses from reputable outlets, such as HuffPost and Texas Tribune, which corroborate the details of the election and the significance of Ortiz's long tenure (HuffPost, Texas Tribune).

Overall, the evidence supports the claim that Farenthold's election was a pivotal moment in Texas politics, marking a shift from a long-standing Democratic representation to a Republican one.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that "Farenthold was elected in 2010, defeating a long-serving Democrat" is true. Blake Farenthold's victory over Solomon Ortiz in the 2010 election not only ended Ortiz's lengthy career in Congress but also highlighted a significant political shift in the district due to redistricting and changing voter demographics.

Sources

1. Blake Farenthold - Wikipedia
2. Solomon Ortiz - Wikipedia
3. Blake Farenthold - Simple English Wikipedia
4. In 2010, Blake Farenthold beat a Texas Democrat who seemed invincible ...
5. Blake Farenthold Beats Solomon Ortiz: Democratic Congressman ... - HuffPost
6. 4. TX-27: Farenthold Stuns Veteran Rep. Ortiz - RealClearPolitics