Blake Farenthold

Blake Farenthold
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Texas's 27th district
In office
January 3, 2011 – April 6, 2018
Preceded bySolomon Ortiz
Succeeded byMichael Cloud
Personal details
Born
Randolph Blake Farenthold

(1961-12-12)December 12, 1961
Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
DiedJune 20, 2025(2025-06-20) (aged 63)
Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Debbie Farenthold
Children2
EducationUniversity of Texas at Austin (BS)
St. Mary's University, Texas (JD)

Randolph Blake Farenthold (December 12, 1961 – June 20, 2025) was an American politician and lobbyist.[1][2] He was a member of the Republican Party. He was the U.S. representative for Texas's 27th congressional district from 2011 until his resignation in April 2018. He defeated Democratic U.S. Representative Solomon Ortiz in the 2010 election.

Farenthold resigned after it was discovered that he used public money to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit and had created a hostile work environment for women in his congressional office.[3][4]

His step-grandmother was state senator Frances Farenthold.

Farenthold died on June 20, 2025 in Corpus Christi, Texas from a heart attack caused by liver disease at the age of 63.[5][6]

References

  1. Representative Randolph Blake Farenthold (Blake) (R-Texas, 27th) Biography from LegiStorm.
  2. "Disgraced former GOP congressman lands lucrative lobbying gig". NBC News. Associated Press. May 14, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  3. Bade, Rachael (December 1, 2017). "Lawmaker behind secret $84K sexual harassment settlement unmasked". Politico.
  4. Yamiche Alcindor & Sheryl Gay Stolberg, Taxpayers Paid $84,000 to End Sex Harassment Claim Against Texas Lawmaker, The New York Times (December 1, 2017), "...In 2014, the congressman's former communications director, Lauren Greene, accused him of regularly making comments to gauge her interest in a sexual relationship....Farenthold of drinking "to excess" on numerous occasions..."
  5. Former US Congressman Blake Farenthold dies at age 63
  6. Guo, Kayla (June 20, 2025). "Former U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold of Corpus Christi dies at 63". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved June 20, 2025.

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