Harvey reshapes races for Congress

Battle to replace Poe in 2nd District gains another GOP challenger

Hurricane Harvey is reshaping congressional campaigns in Houston.

When the floodwaters socked the Meyerland area, it also washed out the home of former hospital CEO David Balat who was hoping to unseat fellow Republican and current U.S. Rep. John Culberson.

“Like so many people, we’re being forced to relocate because of Hurricane Harvey,” Balat said. “We’re having to start over.”

Balat is now in the market for a new home, and he’s had to revise his political plans. While he’s still running for Congress, Balat has amended his campaign paperwork with the Federal Election Commission and announced he is instead running for a different congressional district. Instead of Culberson’s 7th District — a mostly west Houston and western Harris County seat — Balat is now among a growing list of GOP candidates hoping to replace Rep. Ted Poe, R-Atascocita, in the 2nd District.

Poe announced earlier this month that after six terms in Congress, he will not seek reelection in 2018. That district also includes parts of west Houston but ropes around the northern edges of Harris County and up into Humble and Atascocita. Balat said he’s worked for hospitals in Spring and Humble, among other places, so he has a good feel for the district.

Strengthened resolve

There was a point after his home was destroyed that Balat said his campaign team came to him and wondered if he would continue to run for Congress, given that his family lost cars and their home of the past five years.

But Balat, who identifies himself as a conservative Republican businessman, said what happened only strengthened his resolve to run. He said he is more determined than ever to get to Congress and dig into how the Army Corps of Engineers handled the reservoirs and the water releases that upended so many lives.

His prior emphasis on fiscal conservatism continues.

“My message is the same now as it was before,” Balat said in a note to supporters last week. “Republicans have complete control of all three branches of government, yet Congress continues to increase the debt.”

Balat’s decision to shift to Poe’s district improves his chances of winning a seat in Congress by not having to unseat an incumbent. In 2016, 97 percent of all U.S. House incumbents won reelection, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Balat’s decision also spares Culberson a potentially costly primary battle when he’s also facing a spirited challenge from Democrats in one of the most competitive House races in Texas. Culberson is coming off a 2016 re-election in which he won his primary with just 57 percent of the vote over two GOP challengers.

Balat already had raised more than $155,000, including an $85,000 loan he gave his campaign. Now that money helps Balat start with a slight advantage over other GOP rivals in the race to replace Poe.

Last week, Rick Walker jumped into the race. The selfidentified conservative Republican, said he will focus on more efficient government spending, smaller government and “cutting bureaucratic waste.” Walker, 38, is the CEO of GreenEfficient, a company that helps commercial businesses obtain Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.

Texas Rep. Kevin Roberts, RHouston, earlier this month filed papers to run for the 2nd Congressional District as well.

“From getting rid of Obamacare to strengthening our military, securing our border, and continuing the necessary work to unravel debilitating government regulations and taxes that have strangled our nation, there is no shortage of conservative reforms that are needed to create a stronger future for our children and nation,” Roberts said.

Former Navy SEAL Daniel Crenshaw, 33, also has said he intends to run as a Republican in the district.

Crowded contests

Houston Democrat Todd Litton has filed with the Texas Secretary of State to run for the seat to replace Poe. He is the only Democrat in the race so far with weeks to go during the filing period. At least four other Democrats have shown interest in running for the district.

Democrats face a tough battle in District 2. President Donald Trump carried that district over Democrat Hillary Clinton by more than 9 percentage points.

A spate of retirements within the Texas delegation to Congress has triggered an active filing season for candidate seeking seats in Congress.

Just since the start of 2017, U.S. Reps Sam Johnson, R-Plano; Jeb Hensarling, R-Dallas; Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio; Gene Green, D-Houston; and Poe have announced they won’t seek re-election. Also, Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-El Paso, is giving his seat up to run instead for the U.S. Senate.

Green’s retirement has opened the door to another crowded contest in Houston. In 29th District, several Democrats already have filed with hopes of replacing Green. State Sen. Sylvia Garcia, teacher Hector Morales and real estate agent Dominique Garcia have officially filed to get on the ballot with the state. Small business owner Pedro Valencia and Houston attorney Roel Garcia have filed statements of candidacy with the FEC. Former Houston Sheriff Adrian Garcia and state Rep. Carol Alvarado also have said they are considering the race.

Culberson still has plenty of opposition. Five Democrats officially have filed to challenge him as of Tuesday afternoon. Those candidates are Alex Triantaphyllis, James Cargas, Jason Westin, Laura Moser and Lizzie Pannill Fletcher.