For a time, it appeared U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, who is seeking a 10th term, might run unopposed in his re-election bid although he represents a heavily Republican district. He has fended off two GOP challengers since redistricting in 2004: Arlene Wohlgemuth of Burleson and Van Taylor of West.

As late as December, Johnson County Republican Chairman Dan Hunt admitted that Edwards’ popularity across party lines makes him a hard candidate to beat and said his party had no candidate yet to put up against him.

That all changed Wednesday as the deadline to file for the primaries approached. Edwards now faces three opponents, one Republican and two Libertarians.

Rob Curnock, a video business owner and former television sports reporter in Waco, filed late Wednesday to compete in the March 4 Republican primary. Libertarians Gardner C. Osborne, an investment manager in Hillsboro, and Robert Allan Vernon, a Bryan banker, also recently filed.

Curnock, 50, lost in the Republican primaries in 2000 and 2002. The winner of those primaries, Ramsey Farley of Temple, lost to Edwards in both elections.

District 17 stretches from Hood County to Grimes County, southeast of College Station, and includes Johnson County.

Curnock said defeating Edwards will be a challenge but added he is excited and ready to give it everything he’s got.

“District 17 is historically a conservative district with voting trends running 60 percent Republican,” Curnock said. “It can and should be won by a conservative who will take conservative Texas values to Washington.”

Curnock discussed differences between himself and Edwards.

“I want to offer a clear choice between the incumbent and someone with a conservative philosophy, less government, lower taxes, stronger support of the war on terror and the troops,” Curnock said. “The incumbent talks conservative in the district, but when he goes back to Washington, his voting record just doesn’t pan out that way.”

Osborne said this marks the first time in 12 years without a contested Republican primary for the seat, which he said is the reason he waited until the last minute to file.

“We’ve had contested Republican primaries the last 12 years that were bloody, costly and politically damaging to the candidates,” Curnock said. “While Edwards, a candidate well funded, well entrenched and with plenty of [political action committee] money, was sitting there fresh and waiting. We’re not going to have to do that this time.”

With no primary contest to worry about, Curnock said he plans to start putting his message out to voters and running against Edwards right off the bat.

“We’re right on target, and we’re going to put together the best race we can,” Curnock said. “It’s absolutely going to be a challenging race, but it’s winnable if you look at the numbers and voting trends in the district.”

Osborne supplied three reasons for entering the race against Edwards.

“As a Libertarian I disagree with the Democratic, big-government programs that Chet tends to endorse,” Osborne said.

Osborne cited Edwards’ claims of working for veterans.

“If he really wants to help them, why not work to privatize their medical care and supply them private insurance policies so they can seek more convenient medical care,” Osborne said. “Some veterans are having to travel 100 miles or more for their care.”

Osborne admitted that private insurance has its share of problems but added that the current system of veteran’s health-care, which adds a layer of government bureaucracy on top of everything, only further complicates things and raises costs.

Osborne said he also differs with Edwards regarding Iraq.

“I’m not a strong supporter of the Iraq war like Chet,” Osborne said. “It’s another big-government interventionist policy that we need to stop and bring our troops home.”

Vernon could not be reached for comment.

Edwards has not commented on his opponents directly. Elizabeth Connor, an Edwards campaign aide, said Wednesday that Edwards’ widespread support should ensure a win in November.

“Whether it is fighting to keep the Waco VA hospital open or for jobs in our district, Chet is an independent-minded, effective voice for Central Texas,” Connor said. “That is why he will win this race with the strong grassroots support of Republicans, independents and Democrats.”