2010: Where's Matt?

Bill Flores, one of five Republicans who wants a crack at U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards in November, has hired Matt Mackowiak to run his campaign. Flores lives in Bryan. The district stretches from there to Waco, and Mackowiak will work from the Waco end, where he's relocated until the primary (and possibly a runoff) is over.

Mackowiak will be Flores' full-time campaign manager; he suspended his consulting business for the job. He's best known as a persistent Republican quote-machine and former spokesman for U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.

Edwards has survived tough challenges for years, but CD-17 is full of Republicans, and the GOP would love to knock him off. The Republican field includes Rob Curnock, Timothy Delasandro, Dave McIntyre, and Chuck Wilson, in addition to Flores. Flores was far ahead in cash on hand at the end of the year, and also ahead in borrowing: He had $369,000 in the bank, and $250,000 in loans outstanding at year-end, according to the Federal Election Commission. 

The primary is on March 2; the runoff, if needed, will be on April 13.