our series of freshman profiles continues, congressman john ratcliffe of texas defeated incumbent ralph hall in the republican primary and he went on to run uncontested in the general election. at the time congressman hall was the oldest serving member of congress. this is over 20 minutes. >> host: congressman john ratcliffe from the fourth congressional district of texas. you challenged a sitting incumbent republican, the longest-serving member of congress and also a world war ii veteran. why did you decide to run for congress and in a republican primary? >> guest: i have been involved in public service before. i served as a small town mayor. i served as a u.s. attorney under president bush. i found i enjoy public service and it was a calling that came to me. i tried to help like a lot of folks i was frustrated with president obama's first time and i tried to help get mitterrand elected as president. i served on the transition team for what would've been a romney administration. obviously, that didn't happen and i was extraordinary frustrated. made the decision i did you check out of politi