Ralph Hall

Who is Ralph Hall?

Ralph Moody Hall is a United States Representative from Texas's 4th congressional district. First elected in 1980, he is the dean of the Texas congressional delegation and was the chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology from 2011 to 2013. He is also a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. In 2004, he switched to the Republican Party after having been a member of the Democratic Party for more than 50 years.

At 91, he is the oldest serving member of Congress, the oldest person to ever serve in the House of Representatives, the oldest person ever elected to a House term and the oldest House member ever to cast a vote. He is one of two World War II veterans serving in Congress, the other being Michigan Congressman John Dingell.

On March 6, 2014, Hall was challenged in the Republican primary by five other Republicans. Hall received 45.42% of the vote, which was under 50%, the amount required to avoid a runoff election. In the runoff, Hall faced former U.S. Attorney John Ratcliffe, who finished second in the primary with 28.77% of the vote. On May 27, 2014, Ratcliffe defeated Hall in the runoff election, 53% to 47%.