NRCC TEXAS PRIMARY MEMO
NRCC TEXAS PRIMARY MEMO
TO: INTERESTED PARTIES
FROM: NRCC POLITICAL AND NRCC COMMUNICATIONS
DATE: MARCH 3, 2010
SUBJECT: TEXAS PRIMARY RESULTS
Texas voters turned out in high numbers tonight to send a message to Washington that it’s time to put an end to the Democrats’ reckless tax-and-spend agenda. 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 primaries in Texas prove that Republicans are not only poised to successfully defend all of the GOP-held districts in the Lone Star State, but we are prepared 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 Tuesday night, the top two finishers – Rob Curnock and Bill Flores – will face each other in the runoff on April 13. The original primary field consisted of five candidates who all ran strong races, making it impossible for any candidate to receive 50 percent of the vote.
The winner of the Curnock/Flores runoff will face Democrat Chet Edwards. In a year when all Democrats will be on the defensive and trying to separate themselves from the Democrat leadership, Edwards will have a tough time in the general election when he will be forced to defend his support for a toxic Democrat agenda that he supports 98 percent of the time.
Rob Curnock, a Waco businessman, understands the importance of fiscal responsibility and creating jobs. Curnock began his broadcasting career at KWTX-TV as a general assignment reporter, where he covered many political candidates and campaigns. Curnock moved on to establish a video and production services company in Waco. He was appointed by Governor Bush to a state panel on small business and was reappointed by Governor Perry.
Bill Flores spent the last thirty years leading several energy companies. During that time, Flores created more than 500 American jobs with American companies that produce energy resources domestically and help fuel our nation’s economy.
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)
Quico Canseco and Will Hurd were the top two finishers on Tuesday night and will face each other in the runoff on April 13th. The original primary field consisted of five candidates who all ran strong races.
Will Hurd is a lifelong Texan and a native of San Antonio. He has served the country as an Operations Officer for the Central Intelligence Agency for the past nine years, working to combat terrorism in South Asia. During his time at Texas A&M University, Hurd was elected as Student Body President and worked to improve the quality of life for the members of the Aggie community.
Canseco, a small business owner, 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 is 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.
The winner of the Canseco/Hurd runoff will face off against Ciro Rodriguez, who previously held a seat in congress representing a neighboring district where he lost reelection. 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.
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 primary election in Texas.
These results are UNOFFICIAL AND INCOMPLETE until certified by the Texas Secretary of State:
TX-17 (Rep. Chet Edwards, D) GOP Primary
Precincts Reporting – 100.00%
Bill Flores 21,453 33.07%. – Runoff April 13
Rob Curnock 18,624 4.79% – Runoff April 13
Dave McIntyre 11,838 18.25%
Chuck Wilson 9,828 15.15%
Timothy Delasandro 3,109 4.79%
TX-23 (Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, D) GOP Primary
Precincts Reporting – 82.55%
Will Hurd 9,664 33.69% – Runoff April 13
Francisco “Quico” Canseco 9,222 32.15% – Runoff April 13
Robert (Doc) Lowry 6,358 22.16%
Mike Keuber 1,983 6.91%
Joseph Mack “Doc” Gould 1,456 5.07%
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