Oldest-Ever Member of Congress May Run Again

Republican Rep. Ralph Hall of Texas turns 90 years old on Friday, becoming the first congressman ever to reach that mark.

Hall, who last year broke the age record for a member of the House previously held by North Carolina Democrat Charles Stedman — who died at 89 in 1930 — hinted he may seek re-election in 2014.

Hall recently told reporters, “I have no ailments. I don’t hurt anywhere. I may run again. I’ll just wait and see.”

When I first met Hall in 1980 when he was a first-time House candidate, the former Rockwall County state senator, then a Democrat, relayed how his Republican opponent was saying that he was too old to begin a career in Congress at age 57.

“I don’t want to say anything bad about the lousy guy,” Hall quipped with a wink, “but I’m in fine shape to do whatever I want.” He went on to win easily, despite the Reagan-Bush Republican ticket sweeping his state.

John Gizzi is a special columnist for Newsmax.com.