Beaumont attorney Jay Old, joined by his wife, Ann Clary, announces his candidacy for the 14th Congressional District at a press conference Sept. 20 at Beaumont City Hall.
Republican Jay Old, a Beaumont attorney, announced his candidacy to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Ron Paul in the newly drawn 14th Congressional District.
He made the announcement at a press conference Sept. 20 in front of the Beaumont City Hall, where he was joined at the podium by his wife, Ann Clary Old.
"Today, I am applying to go to work for the men and women of the 14th Congressional District," Old said. "This area deserves to have a representative who lives and works within the district, who knows its people and their needs, and who will listen to them while working for them in Washington."
Old, 48, has been a civil defense attorney for more than 22 years, and is a partner at Germer Gertz LLP in Beaumont.
Old said he is running on a platform of creating jobs, growing the economy, simplifying the tax system, balancing the budget and strengthening national security. During his legal career, Old said he has worked against frivolous lawsuits and activist judges.
After graduating from Texas A&M University with a political science degree in 1985, Old went on to receive a law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law in 1988.
Professionally, Old has served as president of the Texas Association of Defense Council, chaired the State Bar Construction Law Section and was appointed by the Texas Supreme Court to help expand legal services delivery in Texas.
His personal community involvement includes membership at Trinity United Methodist Church, president of the Neches River Festival, Rotary Club of Beaumont, Lamar University Friends of the Arts and the Coastal Conservation Association.
He has two children, Helen Elizabeth, 17, and Jim, 14.
"I am a citizen, not a politician, and do not claim to be an expert on all the issues," Old said. "But I know how to use my God-given common sense and build a consensus around workable solutions. That is exactly what I will do in Washington."
Old is the second Beaumont attorney to announce candidacy for the 14th District, after the Aug. 3 announcement by lawyer Michael Truncale.
The 14th Congressional District was recently created based on the 2010 Census. It includes all of Jefferson and Galveston counties and parts of Brazoria, Chambers and Harris counties.
The Republican Primary is on March 6.