Tony Sanchez Jr.
Antonio Rodolfo Sanchez Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 3, 1943 Laredo, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, former political figure |
| Known for | Oil and natural gas business; 2002 Democratic nominee for Governor of Texas |
Antonio Rodolfo Sanchez Jr. (born February 3, 1943) is an American entrepreneur and former political figure associated with the Democratic Party.
During the 2002 race for governor, Sanchez was the Democratic contender opposing the Republican incumbent Rick Perry. He is well-known for his prosperous ventures in oil, natural gas, and banking headquartered in Laredo, Webb County, Texas.
Early life and education
A descendant of Tomás Sánchez, he was born in Laredo, Texas and obtained both a B.A. in 1965 and a J.D. in 1969 from Saint Mary's University in San Antonio. Sanchez held positions on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission from 1985 to 1991 and served on the University of Texas System Board of Regents between 1997 and 2003.
Oil and gas business
Expanding upon the oil and gas brokerage firm established by his father, Antonio Rodolfo Sanchez Sr., Sanchez broadened operations into exploration, development, and production sectors. In 1973, together with his father and partner Brian E. O'Brien, he successfully drilled an exploratory well in Webb County that led to the discovery of the largest natural gas reserve found in the United States in three decades.
Over a span of more than thirty years, Sanchez Oil & Gas Corporation has been involved in drilling upwards of 1,000 wells throughout Texas and other states, with ongoing exploration and development activities primarily concentrated in Texas.
Sanchez holds a position on the board of directors at Conoco and participates in various industry groups such as the American Petroleum Institute, the Independent Petroleum Association of America, and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission. In 1994, he was named to the National Petroleum Council, providing counsel to the United States Secretary of Energy.
2002 Texas gubernatorial campaign
In March 2002, while serving on the University of Texas Board of Regents (1997–2003), Sanchez secured the Democratic nomination for governor by defeating former state Attorney General Dan Morales, who subsequently endorsed Republican Rick Perry. During the primary campaign, Morales’ brother was incarcerated for attempting to extort Sanchez, while Morales himself was later convicted for misconduct involving the state tobacco settlement.
The campaign prominently addressed homeowners' insurance reform, emphasizing a multimillion-dollar settlement against Farmers Insurance Group regarding mold coverage issues and highlighting the role of former legislator Joe Nixon. Sanchez collaborated with Democratic Senate candidate Ron Kirk, ex-mayor of Dallas, sharing campaign resources across multiple Texas cities.
Sanchez energy businesses and family involvement
Sanchez formerly served as chairman and CEO of Sanchez Oil & Gas Corporation, a private enterprise he co-founded alongside his father, Antonio Sanchez Sr. Currently, he chairs publicly traded companies Sanchez Energy Corporation and Sanchez Midstream Partners. The family maintains majority control over International Bancshares Corporation, which owns International Bank of Commerce, a multibillion-dollar banking holding company. Additionally, Sanchez has made substantial investments in firms such as Blockbuster and Viacom, with his net worth estimated to exceed $600 million.
His sons occupy significant executive positions: Tony Sanchez III acts as president and CEO of Sanchez Energy, while Patricio Sanchez serves as president and COO of Sanchez Midstream Partners. Both also hold co-presidential roles at Sanchez Oil & Gas.
Subsequent political and charitable involvement
Sanchez held a position as an assistant to former Texas Lieutenant Governor Ben Barnes. Together with his family and employees at his company, he has donated in excess of $320,000 to the campaigns of George W. Bush, ranking as their second most significant source of contributions throughout his career.
Following the 2006 primary elections, Sanchez backed independent candidate Carole Keeton Strayhorn for governor, who did not perform strongly in Webb County against Perry. Additionally, he provided financial support to Democrat Michael Peter Skelly’s 2008 congressional bid for Texas's 7th district, which ultimately was defeated by the Republican incumbent John Culberson.
Personal details
In 1972, Sanchez wed Maria Josefina "Tani" Guajardo, who previously worked as a schoolteacher. The couple has four children. Sanchez practices the Roman Catholic faith.