TEXAS ELECTIONS In district of Bush's ranch, can GOP corral a victory?

Despite a new electoral map, Republicans must battle a longtime incumbent.
WACO, Texas (AP) -- Republicans hold every statewide elected office in Texas, rule both legislative houses and are expected to soon control the congressional delegation. This is clearly Bush country.
Yet the GOP may have trouble breaking the Democrats' grip in the congressional district that includes the president's Crawford ranch -- even after the state's map of congressional districts was redrawn to favor Republicans.
The winner of the 17th District Republican runoff election Tuesday, between state Rep. Arlene Wohlgemuth and former Waco school board member Dot Snyder, faces a formidable Democratic foe in seven-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards of Waco.
Political analysts say even some Republican voters may prefer the more experienced Edwards, who is the ranking member of the Appropriations Military Construction subcommittee.
"All incumbents have a huge advantage. Incumbents almost never lose," said Harvey Tucker, a political science professor at Texas A & amp;M University in College Station, which is in the district.
District revision
The 17th District was one of several redrawn by Texas lawmakers last year to bolster Republicans in the congressional delegation, currently split 16-16.
Democrats say the map was designed to dilute their power; Republicans say they're trying to more accurately reflect Texas voting trends.
Edwards, who won with only 52 percent of the vote in 2002, was a natural target of redistricting.