Chet Edwards in trouble

Brian Walsh:

For the past 19 years, Texas’ 17th Congressional District has been held by Democrat Chet Edwards who, despite several close elections in recent years, has managed to maintain his grip on this culturally conservative district. This fall, Edwards may be in for one of his toughest fights as he faces off against Republican businessman Bill Flores.

The 17th is the most conservative district held by any Democrat Member of the House. Stretching south from Hood and Johnson counties, the district covers the population centers of Cleburne, Waco and College Station, and has been Republican territory for years. Political handicapper Charlie Cook rates the district as R+20, and both John McCain and George W. Bush carried the seat during their presidential races. Given that Edwards was only able to best his 2008 opponent 53-46% with Barack Obama at the top of the ticket, this year’s election poses a major electoral challenge for the incumbent.

As evidence that his record in Washington is starting to catch up with him, a recent poll had Edwards trailing Bill Flores by twelve points. Undermining the moderate tone that Edwards uses in an attempt to fool his constituents is the fact that he supports House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her liberal agenda nearly 97 percent of the time. He has blindly followed her lead, casting his vote in support of the failed $787 billion stimulus, bloated-excuse for a federal budget and the hat-tip to unions known as card check. Edwards is so entrenched in the Democrat leadership that Nancy Pelosi even touted him as her choice as a possible nominee for Vice President in 2008.

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Edwards is a wily politician and a survivor. He will be tough to beat, but anyone who votes 97 percent of the time with Pelosi deserves to be defeated. The article has links to more information about Flores.