South Texas' 27th Congressional District was created in 1982, it is in the southeast corner of Texas and consists of two major population centers, the Corpus Christi/Coastal Bend area to the north and the Brownsville/Rio Grande Valley area in the South. The District includes some of the state's most beautiful beaches and ranches.

The Rio Grande Valley is a charming blend of independent Texas spirit and Mexican influence over language, music, attitudes, food and culture that captivates and mystifies outsiders. Major cities include Brownsville, San Benito, and South Padre Island.

The Coastal Bend, with population centered in Corpus Christi, shares some of the same border culture, but is removed enough to be considered beyond the border area. It is home to nearly 10,000 military personnel serving at Corpus Christi Army Depot, Naval Station Ingleside, Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, and Naval Air Station Kingsville.

There is a large petrochemical presence in the Coastal Bend, as well as ranches and farms. Major cities include Corpus Christi, Robstown, Aransas Pass, and Kingsville.

The economy of the 27th District is dependent on the energy, fishing, agriculture and tourism industries. With two deep water ports, rail and international trade bridges trade is also important to the economy. Since the passage of the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the District has recruited many companies looking for a well qualified labor force and a good relationship with the maquiladora industry in Mexico.

Points of interest in the 27th district include the famous King Ranch, one of the largest ranches in the world today; the famed spring-break retreat, South Padre Island, located a mere 20 minutes from the international border; the fishing paradise of Port Aransas in the Coastal Bend; Northern Mexico and various tourist and ecological attractions featuring birding, fishing, and hunting.