Flores, Curnock advance to runoff in Republican U.S. House primary
By Michael W. Shapiro Tribune-Herald staff writer
Republicans Rob Curnock and Bill Flores are bound for a runoff.
The two men were the top two vote-getters Tuesday in a five-person battle to take on Waco Democrat Chet Edwards for his U.S. House seat.
With all but six out of more than 300 precincts reporting, Flores had 33.2 percent of the vote, Curnock took second with 28.6 percent of the vote, Dave McIntyre came in third with 18.3 percent, Chuck Wilson was fourth with 15.2 percent, and Timothy Delasandro rounded out the field with 4.8 percent.

Bill Flores (right) and supporter Russell Vanhoozer laugh as he campaigns in Waco. Flores will face Rob Curnock in a runoff for the District 17 GOP nomination.
Jerry Larson/Waco Tribune-Herald
“I’m thrilled with the support that we got,” said Flores, 56, a retired oil and gas company executive from Bryan.
As far as his plans for the ongoing campaign, he said, “I get up in the morning, I take off a few hours for a dentist and doctor appointment. and we start hitting it hard and starting to execute our runoff strategy.”
Flores won largely on the strength of his turnout in his home county. Brazos County gave Flores a more than 3,000-vote edge on his nearest competitor.
But Curnock took McLennan County and had strong showings in heavily Republican Johnson County and the other northern counties in the district.
The 12-county district includes Bosque, Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Hill, Hood, Johnson, Limestone, Madison, McLennan, Robertson and Somervell counties.
It stretches from Fort Worth’s southern suburbs down through Waco and down to the Bryan-College Station area and makes for expensive campaigning with three separate television markets.
Curnock said he was somewhat disappointed by Tuesday’s results but pointed out that his campaign was close even with less money.
“We would have liked to have done better, but the amount of money Flores dumped into this race, that’s what we were up against,” said Curnock, 52, who owns a video production company in Waco.

Rob Curnock (right) shakes hands with friend Richard Smith as he voted at Crestview Elementary School.
Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune-Herald
“But we’ll keep doing what we’re doing, and the message is still the same: We believe we’re the ones who can win it.”
The runoff is six weeks off on April 13.
Wilson, a Waco real estate developer, said it was too early to tell what if anything is in the cards for him in terms of his political future.
But he said, “I really enjoyed the process, and I’m a better man for having done it.”
He also hinted at what may be one of the next steps for the remaining Republicans in the primary — competing for the endorsements of the candidates who didn’t make the cut.
“We’re going to get behind one of these candidates,” Wilson said, “and try to get Chet Edwards defeated.”
mshapiro@wacotrib.com
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Please help reelect Chet by voting for Curnock in November. He's once, twice, three times a loser.
It looks like Flores has thrown money at the local discussion boards too. Nothing but Flores endorsement from so-called "constituents". Flores, leave our local politics local.
Again, where do some of you guys get your information? Flores has lived in the district since 06 and has paid taxes since 04. Anyone who knows Bill knows that he has retired to Bryan. And the "tax cheat thing"...again get the facts! His company was sued for eight years of back taxes--when they didn't even own the property! The two years they owned the property they paid 1.1 million dollars. It would have been nice had Shapiro mentioned this part in his article! His company has been dismissed along with several other companies. It was a frivilous lawsuit--that's why it's gone away! And his Washington connection? I don't know of many oil men who are Washington insiders.
Curnock is too goofy, too poorly funded, and too familiar with losing to face Chet. Flores is just Van Taylor v.2. Once Chet beats him, he'll move back to Houston. Game on.
Anyone who would vote for Chet is casting a vote for bankrupting our beloved country. May the best man (Curnock or Flores) win!
Perry and Chet win!!!When are you Waco people going to buy into it?
I'm pretty suprised Curnock made it into the primary. Why do people keep voting for him? He can't beat Chet, he's proven it over and over. Looks like I'll refrain from voting since my options are: rich tax cheat, FEC violating 4 time loser and Chet. Guess Chet stays in office another 2 years.
So, a black woman walks into a voting location and loudly announces that she had no DL or registration card... No, this is not a joke. This actually happened yesterday. My first thought was, how did you drive here with no DL? Then my 2nd thought was, what was the point in coming to vote if you weren't even bright enough to bring either forms of ID that you needed? My 3rd thought was if they still allowed her to vote somehow...(I think they did try to work around it).
Yuck. Flores is carpetbagger from Houston and Curnock is a has-been. Neither has a shot at Chet. I'll hold my nose and stick with Chet next time.
Decluitt did not want us to vote for Yancy because he does not live in Waco. So if Flores wins and runs against Chet, will Decluitt want us to vote for edwards over Flores because Flores is from Bryan and edwards is from waco?
Can't you get a VCR at Wal-Mart for like $24.98?
Fire Chet Pelosi. Time to throw the Plantation owner out of the plantation, Chet Antoinette. You need to read up on your French Revolution history b/c that is exactly what is about to become of your political career.
Marie, Apparently, the Bryan/College Station Tea Party thinks Curnock was ordained by God. www.bcsteaparty.com Who put those people in charge down there... Didn't they happen to see Bill Flores name included with Curnock's for the run-off... I, too, witnessed Rob's little fiasco at the Tea Party here in Waco. From what people have told me, he tends to act like that when he doesn't get his way. Oh well... I suppose I can deal with a spoiled conservative in Curnock rather than a spoiled liberal in Chet... That is unless God decides to ordain Bill Flores in the run off...
After the tantrum Curnock threw at a Tea Party Event because he couldn't go first on a forum and then walked out the door, I wouldn't count on Tea Party people or the other candidates supporting him at all. I sure won't.
I personally do not know either of these people. But have followed Curnock through all of these years since he was a News Anchor on one of the television stations, and basically really don't care for him. So sorry Rob, but I'll have to cross over(will not vote in the run-off) and vote for Edwards based on Edwards' track record for what he has done for the Veterans and V.A. system. Whether some of you other people like Edwards or not!
I like them both, but it's testimate to Curnock's values and familiarity around here that he was able to do so well with, once again, substantially smaller monetary resources. I hope the people understand that Curnock is solid, tough-as-nails competitor against Chet and not, as others put it, 'a ringer' from out-of-touch Washington.
2000: Curnock lost the primary and didn't make it in to a runoff. 2002: Curnock lost the primary and didn't make it in to a runoff. 2008: Curnock lost the general election by 7.5 points. 2010: Curnock lost the primary by 4.5 points. Curnock is 0 for 4 and batting .000.
Flores was within a few hundred votes of Curnock in McLennan and Johnson. Flores destroyed the competition in Brazos. Oh yeah, and Flores won the popular vote.
You've got a great point there Michael. It appears Curnock may have won because people remember him from his previous attempts on unseating Chet and also know a little bit about the hometown guy. Flores is only a name people recognize because he's got signs up and down BCS but don't really know all that well.
Primary runoffs are really for the committed voters. This time there's no big governor's race to draw out a lot of folks who may not have been following the CD-17 race closely. Those folks were logical Flores supporters, because of the mountain of direct mail he has sent them ... you show up to vote for governor and pick whatever congressional candidate name that you have seen. Those people aren't deeply committed to Flores. If there are 5,300 people deeply committed to Flores in McLennan County, why did none of them even bother to put up a yard sign? Outside of vacant lots and polling places, there have been no signs for Flores here. Runoff turnout will be about the people, not about the money. Curnock will win.
Support Florespelosi.
Someone needs to give this person 92 bucks so we don't have to read about it anymore. Depending on who Wilson, Dave and Tim endorse..will determine if Rob will back away from the runoff.
Rob Curnock beat me out of $92.00 he lost a VCR I took to his business when they were located on Valley Mills Dr. I filed a complaint with the BBB and he or his representitive lied about the situation. Rob, for that reason I will not ever vote for you and will always vote for whoever runs against you. As a lifelong Republican I would vote for Edwards over you as he did not beat me out of $92.00
Dear Fellow Republicans, We Must encourage Rob to bow out of the runoff, he does not have the money to win that contest, and certainly is no match for the Edwards treasure chest. Curnock has never won a race that he faced an opponent, he is a 4 time loser. He has to much baggage and skeletons. Why would he open himself up to the scrutiny that is sure to come. Flores has the best prospects against Edwards.
And the winner of the primary runoff attack goes to the Curnock campaign. Stay classy, guys.
Please Support Flores-Soros
I didn't really think money bought votes but apparently it really does. Curnock is a down-home guy, raised money through his supporters rather than demand on dipping into his pockets.
I agree, Curnock is the underdog here and his recent bad press with the flights mess and this campaign manager mess probably isn't going to help his numbers. Then again, Flores' tax evasion, NRC-Washington connection, Soros, and possible DNC ties isn't that great for him.
I have no idea who Wilson will support. Wilson has a loyal following to pull 15% without advertising. Dave should endorse somebody so his supporters stay excited about this election year. As for Delasandro, I would think he would be like Wilson and endorse someone.
Dave won't endorse anyone based on what I've heard. Wilson probably will latch on to someone, but I have no idea who he's leaning towards. I have no idea what Delasandro is planning on doing.
Don't fret Mr. 21. The runoff will be incredibly, squeaky clean. I don't know where Curnock can get the votes to win the runoff. His supporters were out in full force yesterday. Flores has the momentum, unless I'm missing something...
Looking at the numbers Flores dominated Brazous county, Flores pulled 5,000 votes to Curnock's 6,000 in Mclennan county so Flores will likely win. It will depend on Wilson and Dave on who they endorse...I hope the runoff stays clean.
At least McIntyre's billboards stimulated the local advertising industry. But I'm really looking forward to seeing which runoff campaign will throw the first bombs. Will it be Curnock? Will it be Flores? We're waiting....
"Fire Chet" "Hire Dave" I will miss seeing those billboards all around town.
OK. Just saying that the whole "Fire Chet" thing didn't resonate with the voters.
John: McIntyre is a respectable guy who ran a good, clean campaign. His service to our country should be admired.
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