Bryan Republican Bill Flores on Tuesday did what a string of Republicans in two decades failed to accomplish.

Winning 61.8 percent to 36.6 percent, the retired energy executive unseated veteran U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, of Waco, a powerful lawmaker and moderate Democrat.

Bosque County Libertarian Richard Kelly took 1.6 percent of the vote.

Bryan Republican Bill Flores prepares to give his victory speech after beating Democrat Chet Edwards for the Congressional District 17 seat.
Duane A. Laverty / Waco Tribune-Herald

Flores, a first-time candidate, crested a surge of conservative enthusiasm evident in races across McLennan County and the nation. From start to finish, he railed against national Democratic leaders.

In a statement released after his victory, Flores said “the voters sent a clear message that they want a new Congress that will help the economy recover, remove barriers to private sector job creation and immediately reduce wasteful deficit spending.”

Flores told the Tribune-Herald he was “honored and humbled” by the results and “overwhelmed” to begin the task of preparing to take public office.

For Democrats, Edwards’ loss was a tough one.

“It’s a huge loss for us as Democrats,” and, “it’s a great loss, I think, for our community losing Chet,” said Lyndon Olson, a former state representative and U.S. ambassador from Waco.

Having experience in winning and losing political races, Olson said, “I know the way you leave is more important than the way you come and Chet will leave this in a very responsible and classy way.”

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards concedes defeat in a speech before supporters in Waco. Bryan Republican Bill Flores ousted the 10-term Democratic Congressman.
Rod Aydelotte / Tribune-Herald

Flores said Edwards called him after the results were in and the two talked for about 10 minutes.

“He was very gracious and talked about the quality of (our) campaign,” Flores said.

During a concession speech Tuesday night, Edwards made a plea for increased bipartisanship, and stated his intention to work with Flores in the days to come.

“Congressman-elect Flores will have my full cooperation and support as he transitions into his position as District 17’s representative and my family’s representative,” he said

With 20 years under his belt in the House, Edwards was among the most senior members of Texas’ delegation in the House.

He will leave Congress after building significant clout through the chairmanship of the Appropriations Committee panel that controls spending for veterans affairs and military construction.

He also earned coveted spots on appropriations subcommittees that hold the purse strings for federal agriculture and energy programs, and is the only Texan on those panels.

Throughout the campaign Edwards and his supporters highlighted his roles in keeping the doors open at the Waco Veterans Affairs Hospital and local defense contractor L-3 Communications.

He’s also noted his ability to bring money back to the district for transportation, parks and water projects.

Republican Bill Flores campaigns outside First Baptist Church of Woodway Tuesday,
Rod Aydelotte / Tribune-Herald

But it was Flores’ messages of fiscal conservatism and opposition to national Democratic leaders that carried the day among voters in what’s been considered the most conservative district in the country held by a Democrat.

Flores also advocated for the permanent extension of the Bush tax cuts, which would include cuts for the wealthiest Americans, and argued deficits can be reined in through spending cuts.

Flores emerged from a crowded GOP primary field. The wealthy former businessman loaned and gave his campaign money early on, gaining a financial edge in that contest. He defeated conservative Waco small businessman Rob Curnock in an April primary runoff.

Edwards used several of Flores’ primary statements against him in a bruising general election that started almost immediately after the runoff stopped.

Flores was born in Wyoming but grew up on a farm in a small Texas Panhandle town. He’s frequently likened his path to Texas A&M University and on to a corner office to a Horatio Alger story.

Edwards is also an Aggie who after graduation worked for former Rep. Olin “Tiger” Teague. When Teague retired, Edwards ran for his seat, losing in 1978 by just more than 100 votes to his former A&M economic professor Phil Gramm.

Edwards went on to defeat then-state representative and now-lobbyist Neil “Buddy” Jones in a Democratic primary for a Central Texas state senate seat.

He would eventually claim Democrat Marvin Leath’s U.S. House seat after the Marlin Democrat retired.

Flores’ supporters were jubilant about the outcome.

“I can’t think of any other race that meant more to Republicans in McLennan County,” said Brad Holland, president of the county Republican club.

“I’ve had people come up to me who said they’ve been fighting for this seat since 1969,” Holland said.

mshapiro@wacotrib.com

757-5707

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