Published: November 06, 2008 10:19 am            

Curnock grateful to JC voters

Rob Curnock, who had sought to unseat U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards in District 17, on Wednesday expressed gratitude to his supporters in Johnson County.

“Naturally, I would’ve preferred a different outcome,” Curnock said. “But I’m so grateful from the response I’ve gotten and thank everybody who supported me, especially Johnson County. The main disappointment I feel is for those voters who supported me.”

Edwards, D-Waco, secured a 10th term by capturing 53 percent of the vote compared with 45.5 percent for Curnock.

Edwards received 134,472 votes to Curnock’s 115,468. Libertarian candidate Gardner C. Osborne of Hillsboro collected 3,843 votes or 1.5 percent of the total.

Although Edwards led in nine of the district’s 12 counties, Curnock won three, including Johnson County. Votes received in the county totaled 26,521 for Curnock, 21,683 for Edwards and 994 for Osborne. Curnock also carried Hood and Somervell counties.

District 17 stretches from Hood County to Grimes County and includes Johnson County.

Despite the loss, Curnock said he remains proud of the race he ran.

“We faced an 18 year incumbent who outspent us 10-1, and we got no financial help from the national party,” Curnock said. “Even at that, Edwards had to spend over $1 million on questionable advertising. So, from that perspective, we did pretty well.

Larry Hunter, Curnock’s campaign manager, also called the race a success of sorts.

“Of the 32 congressional races in Texas this year, Rob Curnock had the closest race of any of them, and that’s a fact,” Hunter said. “And he did that with nothing but volunteers.”

Lack of funding, Curnock said, left him at a disadvantage as did the President-elect Barack Obama factor in McLennan County, a factor that, probably garnered Edwards additional votes, Curnock said.

“Overall it was an enjoyable experience, and I met a lot of great people who are still excited today when you consider the odds we faced,” Curnock said. “And I’m so happy to have taken Hood and Johnson counties, and Somervell, which has never been won by a Republican before.”

Hunter also credited voters in Johnson County.

“Johnson County support shows the voters in the area are wise to the deceptive campaign of Congressman Edwards. But, sometimes the good guys don’t win, but Curnock tried and ran and honest campaign.”

Curnock wouldn’t say whether he plans another run for office.

“People that supported me have already asked me about that,” Curnock said. “But who knows what’s going to happen down the road?”

        

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