Veteran Congressman Chet Edwards was keeping a tight hold on his narrow lead over Republican challenger Rob Curnock as the pair jockeyed Tuesday night for the 17th Congressional District seat.

As of 11:40 p.m. Tuesday, Edwards had received 127,598 votes -- or 53 percent -- with 291 of 324 precincts reporting. He had won Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Hill, Madison, Robertson, Limestone and McLennan counties by late Tuesday.

Curnock garnered 107,677 votes -- or 45 percent of the vote -- and won Hood County. Libertarian Gardner C. Osborne received 3,511 votes, or just over 1 percent.

A dozen counties make up District 17, but votes had yet to be fully tallied in Bosque, Johnson and Somervell counties.

Edwards came out of the gate slightly ahead as early-voting results were counted and managed to maintain a slight lead throughout the night. In Brazos County, he received 54 percent of the vote.

Because results across the district still were being calculated late Tuesday, Edwards declined to comment. He did, however, release a three-page statement by e-mail.

"Well, we've got good news," said Edwards, who has served in Congress for nearly two decades. "The voters of our district have said it is time for us to roll up our sleeves and go back to work for the hard-working families of Central Texas. With deep humility and gratitude, I am honored to accept your job offer."

Edwards in his statement said it was time for change in Washington and stressed the need for bipartisan leaders who would work together to strengthen the economy and ensure that government works for the good of all.

"Our nation faces serious challenges both here and abroad, but let me say this. When we Americans set our minds to it, there is no challenge we cannot overcome. We are the greatest nation in the world because of the faith, values and integrity of everyday citizens, and we must have a government that re-earns the trust of our citizens. Our democracy depends on it."

Curnock, who had planned to spend election night at the Arboretum in Waco, could not be reached late Tuesday for comment.

The race for the 17th Congressional District seat has been relatively tame when compared with previous campaigns. Edwards and Curnock faced off just once during a debate late last month, sparring over government spending, taxes and partisan politics.

Earlier Tuesday, Curnock said he had spent Election Day visiting various polling sites, talking with television reporters and meeting potential constituents, many of whom offered him "thumbs up" and well-wishes.

"We are cautiously optimistic," Curnock said Tuesday afternoon, several hours before polls closed. "We know it's a David- and-Goliath race, but we have been seeing a lot of change since my opponent endorsed Barack Obama."

Generally, District 17 is about 64 percent Republican, and Curnock said that in previous years, Edwards had persuaded many Republican voters to split their tickets. But Edwards' endorsement of Obama, he said, was an eye-opener for many constituents. The move, Curnock said, caused many to say, "Wow. Wait a second. Maybe he's not as conservative as we thought he was."

The political challenger, who ran twice before but failed to make it out of the primary, said he met some voters during the campaign who had supported Edwards for the last 18 years but changed their minds after learning of his Obama endorsement.

"Voters of District 17 are going to have such a clear choice this time," Curnock said, adding that a lot of movement seemed to be headed his way throughout the campaign. "For the most part, he talks about what he's done for the district, whereas I'm talking about what I would stand for and what I believe in. He doesn't talk about issues as much as he talks about looking at the earmarks and the pork."

Comments

(Requires free registration.)

0 comment(s) found!