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Republican Pete Olson wins TX-22
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| Pete Olson addresses his supporters alongside his wife, Nancy, at the Berryhill's Restaurant in Sugar Land. |
By AUDREY M. MARKS
In one of only two Republican U.S. House of Representatives pickups this election cycle, Pete Olson has defeated incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Nick Lampson of Stafford to win his first term in Congress, according to unofficial voting returns across the district.
With more than 52 percent of the votes, Olson earned 155,988 votes besting Lampson’s 134,668 votes and Libertarian candidate John Wieder who netted 6,426 votes in 203 out of 214 precincts.
Olson, a former Navy pilot and chief of staff for Sen. John Cornyn, said he felted “awed” after announcing his win Tuesday night at 10:30 p.m in Sugar Land.
He echoed many of the issues he campaigned on from the beginning of the race.
Olson renewed his promise to constituents to fight for "American energy from American soil" in an effort to end "our dependence on foreign oil."
He credited his volunteers for his win, after a campaign of touting grassroots support across the district.
“This isn't my victory this is our victory,” Olson told supporters. “This is a victory for limited government lower taxes less spending ... it's a victory for national security so we continue to take our fight to the terrorists secure our borders and enforce our laws.”
Election results trickled in after 7 p.m. and calling the election was put on hold after Galveston County extended their polling location times until 8:30 p.m.
Republican nominee Sen. John McCain conceded the presidential race before the results of this House race were called.
Texas’ 22nd Congressional District, that spans Fort Bend, Harris, Brazoria and Galveston counties, was considered to be the most likely seat in play for Republicans this year.
The race received their national parties’ attention through fundraising efforts and major television advertising buys in the weeks leading up to early voting and Election Day.
Olson called the win an “incredible victory.”
“We were one of only two Republican take backs across the nation,” Olson said.
The other seat reclaimed by Republicans was previously held by a Democrat who took the seat in the 2006 mid-term elections.
In 2006, Lampson won the 22nd Congressional District seat after it was held by former Majority Leader Tom Delay.
For more than 20 years, Delay represented the Republican strong-hold. But after Delay resigned from the House, Lampson beat write-in candidate Shelley Sekula Gibbs.
Lampson had formerly held the seat old District 9 seat before the controversial redistricting of the Lone Star state in 2003. He served as congressman from 1997 to 2005.
Despite the pick-up in Texas-22, Democrats across the nation scored big Tuesday night.
Republicans bled seats in the U.S. House of Representatives losing 11 colleagues to the other side of the aisle.
With more than 52 percent of the votes, Olson earned 155,988 votes besting Lampson’s 134,668 votes and Libertarian candidate John Wieder who netted 6,426 votes in 203 out of 214 precincts.
Olson, a former Navy pilot and chief of staff for Sen. John Cornyn, said he felted “awed” after announcing his win Tuesday night at 10:30 p.m in Sugar Land.
He echoed many of the issues he campaigned on from the beginning of the race.
Olson renewed his promise to constituents to fight for "American energy from American soil" in an effort to end "our dependence on foreign oil."
He credited his volunteers for his win, after a campaign of touting grassroots support across the district.
“This isn't my victory this is our victory,” Olson told supporters. “This is a victory for limited government lower taxes less spending ... it's a victory for national security so we continue to take our fight to the terrorists secure our borders and enforce our laws.”
Election results trickled in after 7 p.m. and calling the election was put on hold after Galveston County extended their polling location times until 8:30 p.m.
Republican nominee Sen. John McCain conceded the presidential race before the results of this House race were called.
Texas’ 22nd Congressional District, that spans Fort Bend, Harris, Brazoria and Galveston counties, was considered to be the most likely seat in play for Republicans this year.
The race received their national parties’ attention through fundraising efforts and major television advertising buys in the weeks leading up to early voting and Election Day.
Olson called the win an “incredible victory.”
“We were one of only two Republican take backs across the nation,” Olson said.
The other seat reclaimed by Republicans was previously held by a Democrat who took the seat in the 2006 mid-term elections.
In 2006, Lampson won the 22nd Congressional District seat after it was held by former Majority Leader Tom Delay.
For more than 20 years, Delay represented the Republican strong-hold. But after Delay resigned from the House, Lampson beat write-in candidate Shelley Sekula Gibbs.
Lampson had formerly held the seat old District 9 seat before the controversial redistricting of the Lone Star state in 2003. He served as congressman from 1997 to 2005.
Despite the pick-up in Texas-22, Democrats across the nation scored big Tuesday night.
Republicans bled seats in the U.S. House of Representatives losing 11 colleagues to the other side of the aisle.
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