Congressional race focuses on issues

Chet Edwards, Rob Curnock discuss election points in their race for Congress

By: Matt Woolbright

Posted: 11/3/08

Rep. Chet Edwards, Class of 1974 and D-Texas, will be up for reelection for U.S. representative Tuesday and is running against Republican Rob Curnock, Baylor graduate, Class of 1981.

Libertarian Gardner C. Osborne is also on the ballot for District 17 Representative.

Edwards said Curnock lost Republican Party support.

"The National Republican Campaign Committee (NRCC) has withdrawn their support of my opponent due to my success so far," Edwards said.

However, Curnock said this is not the case.

"The National Republican Campaign Committee never chose to get involved in this race, and that decision was made before I said that I was running, so saying they withdrew support from us is a blatant attempt to make it look like the race is over and that I'm not a legitimate candidate, and that is a lie," Curnock said.

Edwards said his bipartisanship is the main reason he has excelled in the largely Republican state, and is one of the most important issues to be addressed.

"I think it's essential to develop more bipartisanship in Washington," Edwards said. "Last year, I passed the largest increase in veterans funding in our history. It passed because I reached out to Republicans from day one."

Curnock said Edwards calls himself bipartisan, but his actions say otherwise.

"He claims to be an independent, but he votes with the Democratic Party 96 percent of the time," Curnock said.

Curnock said the biggest issue in this election will be the stark differences between himself and his opponent. Curnock symbolically said these differences are his "five smooth stones."

"We've worked to get our message out, obviously it's a David v. Goliath race, but I got my five smooth stones so I'm ready. But it only takes one," Curnock said.

Curnock's stones include the war in Iraq; support for Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.; drilling for oil in Anwr and off the coast; lowering tax cuts and overhauling the tax code and abortion.

Edwards voted for House Bill 1591, which called for the withdrawal of troops and against the troop surge. Curnock said he would have voted opposite Edwards both times.

"I'm campaigning on cutting taxes, limiting government spending, winning the war on terror, wherever it is. I would never not support our troops," Curnock said.

Edwards supports Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama and, according to Curnock, was nominated by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to be Obama's vice president and was the final cut. Curnock supports Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

Curnock said if Edwards is to be defeated, it will be his endorsement of Obama that defeats him.

"In this race, it will be his endorsement of Obama, who is a blatant socialist. I visited the Soviet Union before it fell and socialism does not work. I don't want that in America," Curnock said. "Chet Edwards is Obama's point man in Texas. If you honestly believe Obama should be our next commander-in-chief, then your values don't represent the conservative values of central Texas."

Both candidates said they are in favor of lowering taxes.

Endorsements of each

Edwards said it is significant that conservative groups have endorsed him.

"Based on my record, I have received the endorsement conservatives such as of the U.S. chamber of commerce, National Rifle Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars Pac and the Texas Farm Bureau Ag fund.

"I think those endorsements are evidence of my bipartisan record of working with Republicans and Democrats for the good of my country," Edwards said.

However, Curnock said there was questionable reasoning behind the endorsements, because Edwards was a "friendly incumbent," who voted for them to get the endorsement.

Curnock's endorsements are Republican and include Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, Texas railroad commissioner Michael Williams and Ted Nugent. The Small Business Trust and the Right to Life organizations also endorsed Curnock.

Edwards' priorities

Edwards said his locality was key when speaking of influences on his life and career.

"A&M and Brazos county have had such a profound impact on my life," Edwards said, "I've tried to spend my days since graduation giving back to my alma mater."

During his previous four years in congress, Edwards has offered $153 million to A&M research.

Issues that Edwards deems top priority include the need to stabilize our economy, win the war on terror, lessen dependence upon foreign oil and make college affordable to all qualified students.

"Keeping our college educations affordable is not only about our students future, it's vital to our nations future. And an affordable college education and reducing our dependence on foreign oil are key components to our nations economic health in the decades ahead," Edwards said.

Heart of the race

Both candidates said that they have a driving force that has kept them going.

Edwards' is the battle of a young girl in Bryan.

"My inspiration for my last two elections has been a beautiful 11-year-old girl in Bryan - Erin Buenger. She is fighting a rare form of cancer and is the bravest, most positive and most inspirational person I have ever known in my life. She and I attended the Colorado [football game against A&M] together," Edwards said. "Every time I'm around her, I'm inspired by her spirit and encouraged to make a difference for others."

Curnock's motivation has been the will power of his supporting volunteers.

"Our race has been a grassroots labor of love for conservatives in this area who have felt unrepresented for the last 18 years," Curnock said. "It's not easy to walk out with David when you know he's going against Goliath. It's simply heartwarming to feel their support."