McLennan County voters on Tuesday have a full plate of attention-grabbing races on the ballot, starting with what may be one of the most highly watched Congressional races in Texas.

Interest in the races and voter enthusiasm on the right are reflected in a 45 percent increase in the number of early voters from the last midterm election in 2006.

One in five registered voters has already cast a ballot early this year, up more than 6 percentage points from 2006.

Included in the contests on county ballots are these:

*  U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, is up against retired oil executive and Bryan Republican Bill Flores.

Edwards has been a player in efforts to keep the Waco VA Hospital and defense contractor L-3 Communications up and running. As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee he’s well positioned to steer federal dollars to the congressional district that stretches from Bryan to Burleson, and to influence agriculture, energy and veterans policies.

Flores, a political newcomer from the business world, has centered his campaign around ending an era of Democratic control in Washington.

He’s pushed a message of maintaining Bush-era tax cuts and reducing federal spending, themes pushed by Republicans nationally.

Libertarian candidate Richard Kelly, of Bosque County is also on the ballot.

*  Some voters will get to weigh in on the contest between Democratic State Rep. Jim Dunnam and GOP challenger Marva Beck of Centerville.

The candidates together have collected an eyebrow-raising $1.5 million in contributions. House District 57, which Dunnam represents, stretches from Waco to include Falls, Leon, Madison and Robertson counties. Libertarian Derek Johnson is competing in the race.

*  Other voters will choose between GOP State Rep. Charles “Doc” Anderson and Democrat John Mabry, who held the heavily Republican House District 56 seat from 2003 to 2004.

Neill Snider, a Libertarian is also vying to represent the district, which makes up most of McLennan County minus Bellmead, Mart, Riesel, East and South Waco and parts of North Waco, which are in Dunnam’s district.

*  All ballots feature the race between longtime McLennan County district attorney John Segrest and criminal defense lawyer Abel Reyna, as well as contests for county judge and treasurer.

mshapiro@wacotrib.com

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