Tony Sanchez
Encyclopedia
Antonio R. Sanchez, Jr., (born February 3, 1943) a descendant of Don Tomás Sánchez
, is a Mexican American
businessman, philanthropist
, and Democratic
politician
, who in 2002
ran an unsuccessful campaign against incumbent
Republican
Rick Perry
for the position of Governor of Texas
. He is also known for his successful oil
, natural gas
, and banking operations, which are based in Laredo
, the seat of Webb County
in south Texas
.
Today, 29 years later after drilling its first well and participating in the drilling of over 1,000 wells in Texas and other states, Sanchez Oil & Gas Corporation remains active in exploration and development with operations concentrated in the State of Texas.
Sanchez continues to serve on the Conoco Board of Directors and is an active member in a number of organizations: the American Petroleum Institute
, the Independent Petroleum Association of America and the Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission. In 1994, he was appointed to the National Petroleum Council
, which advises the U.S. Secretary of Energy.
In March 2002 Sanchez defeated former state Attorney General
Dan Morales
for the Democratic nomination for governor. Later, Morales endorsed Sanchez's Republican opponent, Rick Perry. Morales' brother was imprisoned for having attempted to blackmail Sanchez in the primary campaign. Morales himself went to prison for wrongdoing in connection with the state tobacco
settlement.
During Sanchez's campaign to unseat Perry, the heated topic was homeowner's insurance reform. Questions arose over a multi-million dollar settlement against Farmers Insurance Group regarding mold coverage and the role played by former state legislator Joe Nixon).
In several Texas cities, both Sanchez and the Democratic nominee for United States Senate
, former Dallas
Mayor
Ron Kirk
, an African American
, shared campaign space.
, Viacom
, and other high-tech ventures. His wealth has been estimated in excess of $600 million.
Sanchez has also contributed to then Governor
and later U.S. President George W. Bush
. After Enron, Sanchez was the largest donor to Bush, having given an estimated half a million dollars, according to the Center for Public Integrity
.
Sanchez has served as aide to former Lieutenant Governor
Ben Barnes. Today, he is chairman and CEO of Sanchez Oil & Gas Corporation, a privately held company he built with his father, Antonio Sanchez, Sr. He and his family are also majority owners of International Bancshares Corporation (parent of International Bank of Commerce
, a multi-billion dollar bank holding company.
Right after the March 7, 2006, primary, Sanchez announced his support of independent
gubernatorial candidate Carol Keeton Strayhorn, who fared poorly in Webb County voting, in her general election
campaign against Perry. He also donated campaign money to Democrat Michael Skelly in his unsuccessful bid for a congressional seat in the race for Texas's 7th congressional district
in 2008 against incumbent Republican John Culberson
.
On December 13, 2007, Texas A&M International University
in Laredo announced that the A.R. "Tony" and Maria J. "Tani" Sanchez Family Foundation donated $10 million to create an endowment in the newly named A.R. Sanchez School of Business (formerly the College of Business). The foundation already underwrites several undertakings at TAMIU, including its Distinguished Speakers program. Sanchez has also given generously to the establishment of the cancer
treatment center of the Laredo Medical Center. He declined to seek the governorship again in 2006 and 2010 despite pleas from several supporters.
Sanchez also donated $20,000 to each of 20 students every new year who are awarded the Sanchez Family Foundation Scholarship for Texas A&M International University
.
Don Tomás Sánchez
Don Tomás Sánchez de Barrera y de la Garza was a veteran Spanish Captain who founded Laredo, Texas, United States and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, at the time it was one town in the Nuevo Santander Province.-Origins:...
, is a Mexican American
Mexican American
Mexican Americans are Americans of Mexican descent. As of July 2009, Mexican Americans make up 10.3% of the United States' population with over 31,689,000 Americans listed as of Mexican ancestry. Mexican Americans comprise 66% of all Hispanics and Latinos in the United States...
businessman, philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
, and Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, who in 2002
Texas gubernatorial election, 2002
The 2002 Texas gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 2002 to select the governor of the state of Texas. The election was won by Rick Perry, candidate of the Republican Party.Incumbent Rick Perry became governor after Gov.George W. Bush became President in 2000. He was elected Lieutenant...
ran an unsuccessful campaign against incumbent
Incumbent
The incumbent, in politics, is the existing holder of a political office. This term is usually used in reference to elections, in which races can often be defined as being between an incumbent and non-incumbent. For example, in the 2004 United States presidential election, George W...
Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Rick Perry
Rick Perry
James Richard "Rick" Perry is the 47th and current Governor of Texas. A Republican, Perry was elected Lieutenant Governor of Texas in 1998 and assumed the governorship in December 2000 when then-governor George W. Bush resigned to become President of the United States. Perry was elected to full...
for the position of Governor of Texas
Governor of Texas
The governor of Texas is the head of the executive branch of Texas's government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Texas Legislature, and to convene the legislature...
. He is also known for his successful oil
Oil
An oil is any substance that is liquid at ambient temperatures and does not mix with water but may mix with other oils and organic solvents. This general definition includes vegetable oils, volatile essential oils, petrochemical oils, and synthetic oils....
, natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
, and banking operations, which are based in Laredo
Laredo, Texas
Laredo is the county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States, located on the north bank of the Rio Grande in South Texas, across from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 236,091 making it the 3rd largest on the United States-Mexican border,...
, the seat of Webb County
Webb County, Texas
Webb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. The official 2010 population for the county is 250,304. In 2000, its population was 193,117, and in 2006 its population had been estimated to have reached to 231,470. Its county seat is Laredo...
in south Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
Education
Sanchez went to Saint Mary's University in San Antonio and earned a B.A. degree (1965) and J.D., (1969).Personal life
In 1972, Sanchez married the former Maria Josefina "Tani" Guajardo, a former schoolteacher. Together they have four children: Tony, III, Ana Lee, Eduardo and Patricio. Sanchez's lifetime commitment to the principles of success—reverence for the past, diligence in the present, and commitment to the future-guided him as he achieved the American dream. Sanchez and his family attend Saint Patrick's Church in Laredo.Oil and Gas
The oil and gas brokerage business he and his late father, Antonio Rodolfo Sanchez, Sr., founded sparked Tony's adventurous and competitive drive. Sanchez immediately envisioned the expansion of the family business beyond a small operation into the larger scope business of oil and gas exploration, development, and production. Tony's father agreed; and in 1973, the father-son duo along with their partner Brian E. O'Brien, drilled a successful exploratory well in Webb County. The initial well started the development of the largest pool of natural gas found in the United States in 30 years.Today, 29 years later after drilling its first well and participating in the drilling of over 1,000 wells in Texas and other states, Sanchez Oil & Gas Corporation remains active in exploration and development with operations concentrated in the State of Texas.
Sanchez continues to serve on the Conoco Board of Directors and is an active member in a number of organizations: the American Petroleum Institute
American Petroleum Institute
The American Petroleum Institute, commonly referred to as API, is the largest U.S trade association for the oil and natural gas industry...
, the Independent Petroleum Association of America and the Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission. In 1994, he was appointed to the National Petroleum Council
National Petroleum Council
The National Petroleum Council is an American advisory committee representing oil and natural gas industry views to the Secretary of Energy.The council was established in 1946 at the request of President Harry S. Truman to represent industry views on any matters relating to oil and natural gas...
, which advises the U.S. Secretary of Energy.
2002 gubernatorial campaign
Texas gubernatorial election, 2002Texas gubernatorial election, 2002
The 2002 Texas gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 2002 to select the governor of the state of Texas. The election was won by Rick Perry, candidate of the Republican Party.Incumbent Rick Perry became governor after Gov.George W. Bush became President in 2000. He was elected Lieutenant...
In March 2002 Sanchez defeated former state Attorney General
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
Dan Morales
Dan Morales
Daniel C. "Dan" Morales served as the 48th Texas Attorney General from January 15, 1991 through January 13, 1999, during the administrations of Governors Ann Richards and George W. Bush. As attorney general, Morales reached a $17 billion settlement with big tobacco companies. He also authored...
for the Democratic nomination for governor. Later, Morales endorsed Sanchez's Republican opponent, Rick Perry. Morales' brother was imprisoned for having attempted to blackmail Sanchez in the primary campaign. Morales himself went to prison for wrongdoing in connection with the state tobacco
Tobacco
Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. It can be consumed, used as a pesticide and, in the form of nicotine tartrate, used in some medicines...
settlement.
During Sanchez's campaign to unseat Perry, the heated topic was homeowner's insurance reform. Questions arose over a multi-million dollar settlement against Farmers Insurance Group regarding mold coverage and the role played by former state legislator Joe Nixon).
In several Texas cities, both Sanchez and the Democratic nominee for United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
, former Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
Ron Kirk
Ron Kirk
Ronald "Ron" Kirk is the 16th United States Trade Representative, serving in the Obama administration. He served as mayor of Dallas, Texas from 1995 to 2002; he also ran for the United States Senate in 2002.-Early life and career:...
, an African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
, shared campaign space.
Current status
Sanchez also has been a major investor in BlockbusterBlockbuster (movie rental store)
Blockbuster LLC is an American-based provider of home video and video game rental services, originally through video rental shops , later adding DVD-by-mail, streaming video on demand, and kiosks. At its peak in 2009, Blockbuster had up to 60,000 employees. There are around 1700 Blockbuster...
, Viacom
Viacom
Viacom Inc. , short for "Video & Audio Communications", is an American media conglomerate with interests primarily in, but not limited to, cinema and cable television...
, and other high-tech ventures. His wealth has been estimated in excess of $600 million.
Sanchez has also contributed to then Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
and later U.S. President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
. After Enron, Sanchez was the largest donor to Bush, having given an estimated half a million dollars, according to the Center for Public Integrity
Center for Public Integrity
The Center for Public Integrity is a nonprofit organization dedicated to producing original, responsible investigative journalism on issues of public concern. The Center is non-partisan and non-advocacy and committed to transparent and comprehensive reporting both in the United States and around...
.
Sanchez has served as aide to former Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of Texas
The Lieutenant Governor of Texas is the second-highest executive office in the government of Texas, a state in the U.S. It is the second most powerful post in Texas government because its occupant controls the work of the Texas Senate and controls the budgeting process as a leader of the...
Ben Barnes. Today, he is chairman and CEO of Sanchez Oil & Gas Corporation, a privately held company he built with his father, Antonio Sanchez, Sr. He and his family are also majority owners of International Bancshares Corporation (parent of International Bank of Commerce
International Bank of Commerce
International Bank of Commerce is a state chartered bank owned by International Bancshares Corporation headquartered in Laredo, Texas . It is one of the largest banks based in Texas, and is the 90th largest U.S. bank by asset size. In addition, IBC is the largest minority-owned bank in the United...
, a multi-billion dollar bank holding company.
Right after the March 7, 2006, primary, Sanchez announced his support of independent
Independent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
gubernatorial candidate Carol Keeton Strayhorn, who fared poorly in Webb County voting, in her general election
General election
In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
campaign against Perry. He also donated campaign money to Democrat Michael Skelly in his unsuccessful bid for a congressional seat in the race for Texas's 7th congressional district
Texas's 7th congressional district
Texas District 7 of the United States House of Representatives is a Congressional district that serves a small area of western Harris County...
in 2008 against incumbent Republican John Culberson
John Culberson
John Abney Culberson is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party and the Tea Party caucus...
.
On December 13, 2007, Texas A&M International University
Texas A&M International University
Texas A&M International University, often referred to as TAMIU, is a public, co-educational, state-supported university located in Laredo, Texas...
in Laredo announced that the A.R. "Tony" and Maria J. "Tani" Sanchez Family Foundation donated $10 million to create an endowment in the newly named A.R. Sanchez School of Business (formerly the College of Business). The foundation already underwrites several undertakings at TAMIU, including its Distinguished Speakers program. Sanchez has also given generously to the establishment of the cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
treatment center of the Laredo Medical Center. He declined to seek the governorship again in 2006 and 2010 despite pleas from several supporters.
Sanchez also donated $20,000 to each of 20 students every new year who are awarded the Sanchez Family Foundation Scholarship for Texas A&M International University
Texas A&M International University
Texas A&M International University, often referred to as TAMIU, is a public, co-educational, state-supported university located in Laredo, Texas...
.
Electoral history
External links
-
- http://www.sanchezog.com/index.html Sanchez Oil & Gas Corporation
- http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=58 2002 Election Results for Texas Governor
- http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=2067 Sanchez profile.