 This first public office propelled his political career; he was a local deputy to the LVI Legislature of the Congress of Tamaulipas between 1996 and 1998 and was the PAN's gubernatorial candidate in 1998 and 2004.Between 1999 and 2000, he was the president of the PAN in Tamaulipas, leaving that position to make a successful bid for the Senate.In the LVIII and LIX Legislatures, he was the President of the Tourism Commission and sat on those dealing with Social Development and Economic Development.