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Blake Farenthold Dies at 63 After Years of Controversy

His death from chronic illness underscores how allegations of sexual harassment led to his 2018 resignation following disputes over taxpayer-funded settlements.

FILE - Rep. Blake Farenthold arrives for a House Committee on the Judiciary oversight hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on Dec. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)
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Overview

  • Blake Farenthold, a four-term Republican congressman from Corpus Christi, died on June 20 at age 63 after a prolonged struggle with chronic liver disease.
  • He resigned in April 2018 amid a House Ethics Committee inquiry into sexual harassment allegations and a lawsuit he settled using $84,000 in public funds that he never repaid.
  • Shortly after leaving office, he secured a six-figure lobbying role with a Texas port authority, reigniting criticism over both the hiring and his refusal to reimburse the settlement.
  • Farenthold later hosted Blake's Morning Show, where he covered local and state politics with an accessible style even as his health declined.
  • His congressional tenure was punctuated by provocative actions and remarks, including duel challenges against fellow Republicans and early advocacy of conspiracy theories.