Randolph Blake Farenthold is an American politician and lobbyist. A member of the Republican Party, Farenthold co-hosted a conservative talk-radio program before beginning a career in politics. Farenthold served as the U.S. representative for Texas's 27th congressional district from 2011 until his resignation in April 2018 in the wake of reports he used public funds to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit and had created an intensely hostile work environment for women in his congressional office. Upon resigning, Farenthold pledged to reimburse the US$84,000 in public money that he used to settle the lawsuit. He later reneged on his pledge to repay.
Blake Farenthold
Farenthold's official portrait for the 114th session
Texas's 27th congressional district
Texas's 27th congressional district of the United States House of Representatives covers the coastal bend of Texas' Gulf Coast consisting of Corpus Christi and Victoria up to Bastrop County near Austin. Its current representative is Republican Michael Cloud. Cloud was elected to the district in a special election on June 30, 2018, to replace former Republican representative Blake Farenthold, who had resigned on April 6.
Image: Solomon Ortiz
Image: Blake Farenthold, Official Portrait, 115th Congress
Image: Michael Cloud, Official Portrait, 115th Congress