Albert Bustamante

Who is Albert Bustamante?

Albert Garza Bustamante is a former member of the United States House of Representatives from Texas. A Democrat, he was a prominent Hispanic member of the House.

Bustamante was born and raised in Asherton, Texas, to a family of Mexican migrant workers. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving for two years as a paratrooper. In 1958, he enrolled in San Antonio College, earning an associate's degree. Bustamante then went on to major in education at Sul Ross State College. After earning his degree, he was hired as a teacher at San Antonio's Cooper Jr. High School.

In 1968, Bustamante took a job as an aide to Congressman Henry Gonzalez. In his first run for elective office in 1972, Bustamante was elected as a Bexar County, Texas, Commissioner. He then was elected as a county judge in 1978 and served on the state's Jail Standard Commission.

Bustamante burst into the national spotlight in 1984, when he was elected to Congress, surprising nine-term incumbent Chick Kazen in the Democratic primary for the 23rd District. He was unopposed in November, and was reelected three times.