Biography:

Ruben Hinojosa was born in Edcouch, Texas, and lives in Mercedes, Texas. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration at the University of Texas in 1962 and a master's degree in business administration at the University of Texas-Pan American in 1980.

After graduating, Hinojosa worked for the family business, H&H Foods, a food manufacturing company.

He eventually became the president and chief executive officer of the company. Hinojosa entered public life shortly after graduating from college.

He has served on numerous boards, including the Mercedes school board, a hospital board, the board of trustees of South Texas Community College and the State Bar Board of Directors.

He was elected to the Texas State Board of Education in 1974.

He was first elected to the U.S. House in 1996.

Hinojosa and his wife, Martha, have five children, Kaitlin, Karen, Ruben Jr., Laura and Iliana.

Past Campaigns:

Ruben Hinojosa was elected to the Texas State Board of Education in 1974 and re-elected four times.

He was elected to the U.S. House in 1996, receiving 62 percent of the vote against Republican Tom Haughey. Hinojosa was re-elected in 1998, defeating Haughey with 59 percent of the vote.

He was re-elected in 2000 with 88 percent of the vote. He was unopposed in 2002.

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