Several groups endorse Edwards

By Matt Smith/msmith@trcle.com

October 24, 2008 05:02 pm

— U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, recently received endorsements from four organizations supporting his re-election campaign, The Texas Farm Bureau AGFUND, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund, the United States Chamber of Commerce and the Veterans of Foreign Wars PAC.
Edwards faces Republican challenger Rob Curnock and Libertarian challenger Gardner C. Osborne in the Nov. 4 election.
“Congressman Chet Edwards is a strong and consistent voice for freedom and for defending the rights of Texas gun owners, hunters and sportsmen,” said Chris W. Cox, chairman for the NRA Political Victory Fund.
A statement released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce characterized Edwards as a “true friend” of Central Texas businesses who supports job growth while supporting private property rights and voting to reduce unfair taxes.
Edwards recently received the Friend of the Farm Bureau Award from the American Farm Bureau Federation in recognition of the service and votes he provided during the last Congress.
This is the fifth time Edwards has won the award.
“These nonpartisan endorsements send a clear message to voters in our district that I have worked hard for family farmers and ranchers and for small businesses and economic growth,” Edwards said. “They send a clear message that I strongly believe the Second Amendment guarantees an individual’s right to bear arms and that our nation has a moral obligation to support our veterans.”

Curnock responds
“The NRA gave Edwards a grade of A, but a few years ago they gave him an F,” Curnock said. “It goes up and down. If it’s an election year he does what he needs to do to make the votes to get their support. But, if you look at his overall record, Edwards consistently votes against many of the key values the NRA espouses.
“He voted for the Brady Bill, voted to restrict gun magazine clip sizes. That’s one of the perks of being a longtime incumbent, but his voting record is very spotty.”
Edwards’ incumbent status also helped him earn the Texas Farm Bureau endorsement, Curnock said, something he called the friendly incumbent, or almost automatic endorsement, in which the bureau doesn’t bother considering the challenger.
“The TFB never spoke with me,” Curnock said. “They did this [endorsement] because he voted on some key issues of theirs. But many TFB members I’ve spoken with said they absolutely disagree with that endorsement based on Edwards’ full body of votes.”
The Veterans of Foreign Wars endorsement makes sense, however, Curnock said.
“Because Edwards chairs the [Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee], it’s understandable that they support him,” Curnock said. “And that’s appropriate given that he supports the military as strongly as he does.”