WACO - Congressman Chet Edwards officially filed for re-election to Congress on December 10, 2009. Edwards, a respected national leader for veterans and military troops and families, has won 10 consecutive elections with broad-based bipartisan support.

He begins his 2010 campaign with over $1 million in the bank.

“I want to keep working hard for the hard-working families of our district and for the men and women who have served our nation in uniform,” said Edwards. “Fighting for jobs and economic development in our district, supporting our troops and veterans during a time of war, and reducing federal deficits will be my top priorities in the months and years ahead.”

Edwards is the most senior Texan on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee and chairs the important Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee. As Chairman, he has championed better housing and health care for military troops and their families and better health care and benefits for America’s veterans.

In just the past 12 months, Edwards has achieved impressive results for his district and for veterans and the military, including: bringing 224 new jobs to the Waco VA hospital; championing the building of a much-needed hospital for Fort Hood soldiers and families; passing a new law that provides college scholarships for all children who have lost a parent in military service; and authoring legislation to make the Waco Mammoth Site only the second National Monument in Texas history.

In addition, Edwards secured funds for key research projects for Texas A&M, Baylor and L-3, Waco’s largest private employer; along with funding for high priority transportation projects to ease congestion of State Highway 6 in Brazos County and Chisholm Trail Highway in Johnson County. Edwards also supported numerous other education, economic development, agriculture and economic development projects throughout the 17th District.

“Through his hard work for our district, his deep commitment to his family and his putting the interests of our country above partisan politics, Chet has continued to earn the support of Republicans, Democrats and Independents throughout our District,” commented Elizabeth Connor, campaign spokesperson. “That is a key reason why the National Republican Campaign Committee in Washington, D.C. has been turned down by the top three candidates it tried to recruit into this race.”

So far this cycle, Edwards has surpassed previous campaign fund raising milestones. In October, the campaign reported over $1.12 million in the bank, $200,000 more than was reported during the same period in 2007. As of the October 31st Federal Elections Commission Report, Edwards has a huge $1,080,000 cash-on-hand advantage over his closest potential rival. By national standards, Edwards’ announced opponents have fared poorly in campaign fund raising.

Edwards Co-Chairs the bipartisan House Army Caucus and is Vice-Chair of the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee. In 2008, both the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars recognized Edwards’ leadership with their national awards given annually to only one Member of Congress.