had no major-party opposition in 2000 and 2006 and was completely unopposed in 2002. He decided to retire and not seek another term in 2012. Tenure Charlie González is a member of the New Democrat Coalition. He is generally seen as less confrontational than his father, who once punched someone for calling him a communist. Between them, the father and son represented the 20th for 52 consecutive years; the only family combination to serve longer in the House has been the Dingells of Michigan, who have represented various districts centered around Detroit and its suburbs for almost 90 consecutive years. Rep. González was one of the first congressmen to actively support Barack Obama in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary. "Senator Obama brings all these new fresh faces,’’ Gonzalez told the San Antonio Express-News. "He has a wider audience. He has the greater potential to engage a greater number of people.’’ González announced on November 25, 2011, that he would not seek reelection in the 2012 congressional elections. He said he wanted a job that would allow him "to be productive and have the resources to make a better life" for himself and his family. Committee assignments Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee on Energy and Power Subcommittee on Health Committee on House Administration Subcommittee on Elections (Ranking Member) Subcommittee on Oversight Caucus memberships Congressional Hispanic Caucus (Chair) Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus Congressional Arts Caucus See also List of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States Congress References External links U.S. Representative Charles A. Gonzalez official U.S. House website Charles A. Gonzalez Congressional Committee official campaign website |- |- 1945 births 21st-century American politicians American judges of Mexican descent American politicians of Mexican descent Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Texas Hispanic and Latino American members of the United States Congress Living people Politicians from San Antonio St. Mary's University School of Law alumni Texas National Guard personnel Texas state court judges United States Air Force airmen