U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions of Dallas has proved himself to be as conservative as any Republican could want, even as he had to beat back a tea party primary challenge.
What he also has shown is growth over four terms and the occasional inclination to seek legislative solutions by working toward the middle. He’s the best choice for voters in the GOP-leaning 32nd District over Democrat Frank Perez and Libertarian Edward Rankin.
Despite a reputation for by-the-book conservatism, Sessions, 59, has revealed glimpses of bipartisanship as he has risen through the House GOP ranks.
For instance, he believes in moving immigration legislation in smaller pieces, instead of one comprehensive bill. While he stands firmly for border security first, he also supports a guest-worker program that many U.S. businesses and immigrant laborers want.
Perez, 60, is a two-time Officer of the Year as a Dallas police narcotics detective. For the last two decades, he has been a criminal defense attorney specializing in drug cases. He represented Johnnie Hernandez, the Dallas cop who was convicted for putting out a hit on the Dallas Cowboys’ Michael Irvin.
We share Perez’s frustration with Washington gridlock, but he needs to deepen his understanding of core issues — including Social Security, Medicare, and oil and gas — a House member will face.
