Republicans gained one congressional seat from Texas and may gain as many as three when all is said and done. The Associated Press is now calling Congressional District 17 for Republican Bill Flores. This means Flores finally accomplished what a slew of Republicans couldn’t: He banished the cult of Chet Edwards.
Edwards got re-elected by convincing constituents that he was personally responsible for the health of Fort Hood, local veterans hospitals, Texas A&M, and other key programs. Many constituents bought into his cult following.
But Flores successfully connected him to President Barack Obama and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. With large portions of McLennan, Johnson, and Brazos Counties in, it looks like Flores has an insurmountable lead — 63 percent to 35 percent with 44 percent of election-day precincts reporting. It appears votes from Travis County may cause Congressman Lloyd Doggett to get re-elected over Republican Donna Campbell. Doggett is leading 52.8 percent to 45.3 percent with 35 percent of the precincts reporting.
