Pete Geren - Congressional Career

Congressional Career

Prior to joining the Department of Defense, Geren was an attorney and businessman in Fort Worth, Texas. He was an aide to U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen (1983–1985).

From 1989 until 1997, Geren was a Democratic member of the U.S. Congress, representing Texas's 12th congressional district for four terms. He was first elected in a special election to succeed former Speaker of the House Jim Wright for the 12th congressional district in Texas, narrowly defeating Republican candidate, well known Fort Worth allergist Bob Lanier (not to be confused with the Houston mayor of the same name). Geren was re-elected for three more terms, but opted not to run in 1996. He was succeeded by Kay Granger.

While in Congress, Geren was credited with coining the term "Blue Dog Democrat". Moderate and conservative Democrats in Congress chose to name their group after this term, creating the Blue Dog Coalition. Geren opined that the members had been "choked blue" by "extreme" Democrats from the left. It is related to the political term "Yellow Dog Democrat," a reference to southern Democrats said to be so loyal they would even vote for a yellow dog if it were labeled Democrat.