Retired energy executive Bill Flores won the Republican primary runoff Tuesday and will face Rep. Chet Edwards (D) in the general election for Texas's 17th Congressional District.

The well-funded Flores defeated 2008 nominee Rob Curnock by a wide 64%-36% margin. Through March 24, Flores had outspent Curnock $755,000 to $155,000. He had $63,000 left to spend in the remaining weeks to Curnock's $16,000.

In November 2008, despite being outspent by $2 million ($2.1 million to $100,000), Curnock held Edwards to just a 53%-46% victory.

The Waco-based district votes heavily Republican in presidential elections, giving John McCain 67% and George W. Bush 70% in 2004.

Edwards is running for his 11th term in office. While his voting record puts him in the middle of the House, the National Republican Congressional Committee indicated in a memo tonight that it plans to tie him to Democratic leadership in Washington:

"In a year when House Democrats are running to separate themselves from their radical leadership, Edwards will have a tough time defending his near-constant support of their agenda in the general."

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