Tommie Joe Vandergriff

US Congressman. A member of the Democratic Party, he served Texas' 26th District in the US House of Representatives from 1983 to 1985. He attained his BA from the University of Southern California, before joining his families' automobile business. He was elected mayor of Arlington, Texas and served at that capacity from 1951 to 1977. Vandergriff's tenure was highlighted with his efforts in bringing a General Motors plant to Arlington, and for his accomplishment of attracting a Major League Baseball franchise (Washington Senators later Texas Rangers) to the city in 1972. Following his term in Congress, he changed party affiliation to Republican and was elected to county judge of Tarrant County, serving from 1990 until 2007. He was inducted into the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987.