John Courage Announces For Congress

Courage launches congressional bid:

John Courage announced Saturday morning at the Capitol that he will run again for Congress next year.

He is a San Antonio schoolteacher and Democrat who lost in 2002 to U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, by more than 100,000 votes. On Saturday, Courage, 54, told a crowd of about 100 supporters: "It's time for a change."

Smith, a House member since 1987, represents the 21st District, which includes almost 300,000 Travis County residents, all of Blanco County and parts of Bexar, Comal and Hays counties. In 2002, Republican candidates for statewide office garnered 64 percent of the district vote.

During his announcement, Courage wore a tie that he said Smith gave him after the 2002 race. Courage said that after he wins the race, "I'm going to give this tie back to him."