AUSTIN – TEXPAC, the political advocacy arm of the Texas Medical Association (TMA), has announced its endorsement of Rep. Charles Schwertner, MD (R-Georgetown), for State Senate, District 5.

“TEXPAC is supporting Representative Schwertner because he demonstrated during his first term in the Texas House that he was solid conservative leader,” said Joe Todd, MD, chair of the TEXPAC Board of Directors. “He passed a number of bills and worked on legislation to ensure Texas’ patients continue to have access to health care services and receive the highest quality of care from qualified and competent physicians.

“Dr. Schwertner has demonstrated that he will listen to his patients’ and physicians’ concerns on issues and will work diligently on their behalf. He will add important expertise to the Texas Senate on health care issues, which is a pressing state issue, and he will also provide the perspective of a small-business owner,” added Dr. Todd.

Last week, Sen. Steve Ogden (R-Bryan) announced he was retiring from the Senate seat, which encompasses Brazos, Freestone, Grimes, Leon, Limestone, Madison, Milam, Robertson, Walker, and Williamson counties.

TEXPAC speaks on behalf of nearly 45,000 Texas physicians and medical students, and nearly 8,000 alliance members. Organized in 1962, TEXPAC is one of the oldest political action committees in Texas. TEXPAC also is one of the largest bipartisan PACs in the state and ranks first in size among other state medical association PACs.