Filemon Vela Jr. facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Filemón Vela
Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee
In office January 21, 2021 – March 31, 2022 Serving with Tammy Duckworth, Ken Martin, Gretchen Whitmer
Chair	Jaime Harrison
Preceded by	Grace Meng
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 34th district
In office January 3, 2013 – March 31, 2022
Preceded by	Constituency established
Succeeded by	Mayra Flores
Personal details
Born	Filemón Bartolomé Vela Jr. (1963-02-13) February 13, 1963 (age 62) Harlingen, Texas, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Rose Rivera ​ (m. 1990)​
Relatives	Blanca Vela (mother) Filemon Vela Sr. (father)
Education	Georgetown University (BA) University of Texas at Austin (JD)

Filemón Bartolomé Vela Jr. (born February 13, 1963) is an American lawyer and politician. He also works as a lobbyist. From 2013 to 2022, he served as a U.S. representative for Texas's 34th district. He is a member of the Democratic Party. President Joe Biden also nominated him to be the vice chair of the Democratic National Committee. In March 2022, Vela left his job in Congress early. He took a new job at a law and lobbying firm called Akin Gump.

Early Life and School

Filemon Vela Jr. was born in Harlingen, Texas. He grew up in nearby Brownsville. His father, Filemon Vela Sr., was a respected United States federal judge for many years. A courthouse in Brownsville is even named after his father and another judge. His mother, Blanca Sanchez Vela, made history. She was Brownsville's first female mayor. She served from 1999 to 2003.

Filemon went to Saint Joseph Academy in Brownsville. He earned his college degree from Georgetown University in 1985. While at Georgetown, he worked as an intern. He helped at the Federal Judicial Center. This agency does research for the federal court system. He also interned in Solomon P. Ortiz's office in Washington, D.C. Vela then earned his law degree from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law in 1987.

Vela's Career as a Lawyer

Before joining Congress, Vela worked as a lawyer. He helped school districts with important issues. For example, he represented the Edinburg School District. He worked to get them more funding for schools. He also represented the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District. He helped them in a case against contractors. These contractors were accused of building a school poorly.

Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives

How Vela Was Elected

2012 Election for Congress

In 2012, Filemon Vela ran for Congress. He sought to represent the new 34th congressional district in Texas. He ran as a Democrat. In the first primary election on May 29, he was the top candidate. He received 40% of the votes among eight people. In the runoff election on July 31, Vela won. He defeated Denise Saenz Blanchard with 67% of the votes.

In the main election, Vela won against Republican Jessica Bradshaw. He received 62% of the votes. Bradshaw received 36%.

Vela's Time in Congress

In July 2013, Vela left the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. This group supports Hispanic members of Congress. He disagreed with a proposed law. This law would have added more border security. He felt that building more border fences would separate communities that were already connected.

On March 22, 2021, Vela announced his decision. He said he would not run for reelection in 2022. This meant he would not seek another term in Congress.

In August 2021, Vela joined a group of Democrats. They were called "The Unbreakable Nine." This group threatened to stop a large spending plan. The plan was from the Biden administration. It aimed to improve the nation's infrastructure.

On March 24, 2022, Vela confirmed his early resignation. He would leave Congress to work at Akin Gump. This is a large law and lobbying firm. His resignation became official on March 31.

Committees Vela Served On

While in Congress, Vela was part of several important committees:

• Committee on Agriculture
  • Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management
  • Subcommittee on Livestock, Rural Development, and Credit
• Committee on Armed Services
  • Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces
  • Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces

Groups Vela Joined

Vela was also a member of several caucuses (groups) in Congress:

• Congressional Hispanic Caucus
• Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus
• Veterinary Medicine Caucus
• U.S.-Japan Caucus

Vela's Family Life

Filemon Vela's wife is named Rose. She was a Republican justice. She served on Texas's 13th Court of Appeals. This was from 2007 to 2012.

Vela is a Roman Catholic.

See also

• List of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States Congress
• Final Report of the Task Force on Combating Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel