Arizona Congressional Candidate Tapped to Give Weekly GOP Address

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) is rolling out the first congressional candidate this season to deliver the weekly Republican address Saturday morning.

“.@VernonBParker is an independent thinker who is committed to listening to the people of #AZ09 and restoring the American Dream #4jobs,” Boehner tweeted in announcing the candidate’s special role.

“Thankful for Speaker @JohnBoehner giving me the opportunity to give this Saturday’s Republican address. We’re restoring America’s promise!” Parker tweeted back.

Parker, who came from a poor background but eventually got a law degree from Georgetown, was a special assistant to President George H.W. Bush. He was then assistant of agriculture for civil rights in the Bush administration and the first African-American mayor of Paradise City, Ariz.

Parker first ran for Congress unsuccessfully in 2010. He faces Arizona state Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D) this fall, who would be the first openly bisexual member of Congress if elected.

“Vernon Parker is a good man who served honorably in my administration,” Bush said in his endorsement. “Vernon is a leader who demonstrates conservative values, love for country, and commitment to excellence in all that he has done.”