Vernon Parker, the black Republican congressional candidate in Arizona viewed as a rising star within the GOP, has been tapped by House Speaker John Boehner to give the weekly Republican address this weekend.
“Vernon Parker is an independent thinker and a rising star in the Republican Party who is committed to listening to the people of Arizona and restoring the American Dream,” Boehner said in a written statement.
Parker, the former mayor and town council member who served in President George H.W. Bush’s administration, is running for Arizona’s new 9th Congressional District.
He was raised by his grandmother in an underprivileged neighborhood, according to a biography from the speaker’s office.
“Growing up in a tough neighborhood with gangs, guns and violence, I told myself if I ever got out, I’d work hard to make sure others have an easier shot to succeed and achieve the American Dream,” Parker said.
“I’m running for Congress because we can’t continue to burden our job creators with more regulations, more taxes and more of the uncertainty that’s fueled by our massive debt.”
He is facing Democratic candidate Kristen Sinema in November.
