27-Nov-09 10:00 AM CST

New ratings: Culberson safe in 2010 after tough '08

A year after a bruising, expensive re-election race, Houston Rep. John Culberson is a safe bet for re-election.

Congressional photo

Rep. John Culberson

At least that's the view of CQ, the Washington insider's publication, which listed Culberson's west side congressional district as one of the 29 "safe" Texas seats in the 2010 mid-year elections.

Last year, Culberson spent heavily in 2008 to turn back a spirited challenge from Houston Democrat Michael Skelly, who earned millions as an alternative energy executive.

Indeed, only three of the state's 32 congressional seats have any likelihood of changing hands in the upcoming campaign. And those three -- currently held by Michael McCaul, R-Austin, Chet Edwards, D-Waco, and Ciro Rodriguez, D-San Antonio, are considered "likely" to remain in the incumbent's hands.

The ratings, considering among the most authoritative in Washington, also are good news for freshman Rep. Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land, who captured a seat previously held by Democrat Nick Lampson of Stafford.

Of course, because of the super-partisan, mid-decade congressional redistricting plan enacted by Texas Republicans, almost none of the state's House seats are competitive. Republicans currently hold a 20-12 edge.

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