| U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Lake Jackson, is facing his first Democratic challenger in the current District 14.
Paul is seeking his ninth term in Congress. This district includes portions of north and west Fort Bend County, including the cities of Simonton and Orchard, and stretches over nine counties along the Gulf Coast.
He is being challenged by Shane Sklar, a 30-year-old Democrat from Victoria who contends Paul's ideology and his positions make him unsuitable for the district.
Paul, 70, began his career in politics in 1976, having represented Fort Bend County in Congressional District 22. He decided not to seek reelection in 1984, leaving a vacancy that was filled by U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Sugar Land.
After a failed attempt to secure the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate, as well as a run for president on the Libertarian ticket, Paul returned to Congress in 1997, this time representing the 14th District.
A staunch conservative, Paul has stood out among colleagues of both parties for his advocacy of a limited federal government and what he sees as a strict interpretation of the U.S. Constitution.
Supporters call him the "Taxpayer's Best Friend," while critics have called him "Dr. No" for his opposition to many federal initiatives.
Sklar has worked as the executive director of the Independent Cattlemen's Association of Texas, and he argues Paul's "no" votes have placed the district in danger. Sklar contends Paul has not secured ample money to the district for port security at locations like Texas City and Port Lavaca.
"Is it an ideological situation for him, or is he ineffective? Because it's one or the other, and he really needs to face up to what it really is," said Sklar.
Paul, however, contends the district does receive much federal assistance, despite the fact the he votes for "the least amount of spending" of any member of Congress. On port security and Homeland Security funding for the region, Paul explains the upcoming budget remains in progress.
"I do take a very firm stance that we should not be spending any money unless we cut money," he said.
A self-described "conservative Democrat," Sklar said he is against abortion and gay marriage.
On immigration, Sklar said he supports allowing current, illegal residents in the U.S. to become citizens, but would have them "in the back of the line" after those seeking citizenship through legal means.
Paul said he voted in favor of the House bill that called for classifying all illegal immigrants as felony offenders.
District 14 leans Republican, but Sklar argues winning the district is more than a pipe dream. He argues Paul's libertarian voting record is out of sync with the Republican Party, and said the 2004 redistricting placed Paul in a more Democratic district than previously.
"The district does lean Republican, but it became more Democratic after redistricting. They did Ron Paul no favors in the redistricting process because of his lack of cooperation with the Republican Party," Sklar said.
For all of the shots, however, Paul said he is confident about his chances in the upcoming election. He defends his long-held opposition to the Iraq War and his calls for a speedy withdrawal of U.S. troops.
"The statistics are just coming in my direction. People are annoyed with no win wars. I think we're winning this argument," he said.
Paul acknowledges the public has been "frowning on" the current, Republican-led Congress, leaving a lot of questions about the outcome of the 2006 races.
"The incumbents this year are under attack. Overall, I think Congress deserves much of the criticism. I just have to make sure that I'm not painted with the same brush," he said.
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