NRCC MEMO: TEXAS PRIMARY RESULTS
NRCC MEMO: TEXAS RUNOFF RESULTS
TO: INTERESTED PARTIES
FROM: NRCC POLITICAL AND NRCC COMMUNICATIONS
DATE: April 13, 2010
SUBJECT: TEXAS RUNOFF RESULTS
Texas voters turned out tonight to send a message to Washington that it’s time to put an end to the reckless tax-and-spend policies coming from the Democrat majority in Washington. With a skyrocketing deficit and an out-of-touch agenda, the political environment has Democrats on the defensive and Republicans well-positioned to pick up seats in November. The results of the Congressional run-offs in Texas prove that Republicans are poised to run highly aggressive campaigns in two competitive districts currently held by vulnerable Democrats.
Challengers:
TX-17 (Rep. Chet Edwards, D)
Since no candidate received the necessary 50 percent of the vote on March 3, the top two finishers – Rob Curnock and Bill Flores – faced each other in the runoff on Tuesday, April 13.
The voters chose Flores to be the candidate that will face Democrat Chet Edwards in the general election in November. In a year when House Democrats are running to separate themselves from their radical leadership, Edwards will have a tough time defending his near-constant support of their agenda in the general. Despite his claims of independence, Edwards supports the unpopular Democrat agenda 97 percent of the time.
Bill Flores represents the ninth generation of his family to call the Lone Star State home. A proud Aggie, Flores graduated from Texas A&M International University before attending business school in Houston. Flores put his accounting degree and MBA to use by pursuing a career in managing finances for several businesses, eventually finding a home in the oil and gas industry. Flores has created more than 500 American jobs with American companies that produce energy resources domestically and help fuel our nation’s economy. He and his wife have committed themselves to ensuring that more young Texans have the opportunity to pursue a higher education. Currently, the Floreses support sixteen students at Texas A&M with fellowship or scholarship aid.
History. Congressman Chet Edwards currently represents Texas District 17. It is one of the most heavily Republican districts in the nation represented by a Democrat, according to the Cook Partisan Voting Index. Voters in the district have traditionally voted for Republican presidential nominees.
Geography. Texas’s 17th congressional district is located in central Texas and stretches from south of Tarrant to Grimes County. Texas 17 includes former President George W. Bush’s ranch at Crawford. The district includes two large colleges, Baylor University in Waco and Texas A&M in College Station.
TX-23 (Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, D)
Francisco Canseco and Will Hurd were the top two finishers on March 3 and faced each other in the runoff on Tuesday, April 13.
The voters chose Canseco to be the candidate that will move on to the general election to face Democrat Ciro Rodriguez, who previously held a seat in congress representing a neighboring district where he lost re-election. Rodriguez’s liberal voting record has put him in contrast with the residents of San Antonio and the conservative Hispanic population along the Texas border.
As a successful small business owner, Canseco knows what it takes to create jobs and get a struggling economy back on track. Canseco has used his career in real estate development as a platform to serve his community. Along with his family, he runs the Canseco Foundation, providing funds to support education, healthcare and community needs in the area. The Canseco Foundation has provided funding for the Sisters of Mercy of the San Antonio area who work to administer immunizations, improve early childhood care and run health clinics. It is also a strong supporter of Texas A&M International University and has awarded scholarships to help fund the education of students attending the School of Nursing.
History. Congressman Ciro Rodriguez represents a district that Bush carried in 2000 and 2004 with over 64 percent of the vote each year. The district was previously represented by Henry Bonilla and prior to 2008 had a Cook Partisan Voting Index as high as R+13.
Geography. The 23rd Congressional District is the largest congressional district in the country other than at-large districts. District 23 runs from the suburbs of San Antonio along the Texas border to the edges of El Paso. It includes most of the Texas border and stretches two time zones. The 23rd District is also home to Big Bend Ranch State Park and many farming and oil operations.
Election Results:
The following are the unofficial results from Tuesday’s runoff election in Texas.
These results are UNOFFICIAL AND INCOMPLETE until certified by the Texas Secretary of State:
TX-17 (Rep. Chet Edwards, D) GOP Runoff
Precincts Reporting – 100%
Bill Flores 21,314 64.16%
Rob Curnock 11,901 35.83%
TX-23 (Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, D) GOP Runoff
Precincts Reporting – 88.35%
Francisco Canseco 6,759 53.35%
Will Hurd 5,910 46.64%
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