HD-146: Way Too Close to Call

In what's been a colorful race replete with accusations of cyber treachery and publicity stunts, unofficial voting returns show the contest between incumbent Al Edwards and challenger Borris Miles is going to be a squeaker. Miles' 11-vote hold over Edwards will almost certainly lead to a recount.

The stand-off revives a longstanding rivalry between the two candidates, who have competed against each other to represent the district twice before. Edwards won the seat in 1979 and has held it ever since — except for when Miles dislodged him briefly in 2006, capitalizing on fallout over Edwards' support of Tom Craddick and introduction of the infamous "Booty bill," a piece of legislation that Edwards intended to curtail an "epidemic of sexy cheerleading." Edwards won the seat back in 2008, after news broke of Miles' erratic behavior at a Christmas party, where he allegedly waved a pistol in the air and forcibly kissed another man's wife.

146, the poorest district in Houston, is predominantly black. It has a high dropout rate, high incidence of HIV infection, and high percentage of people without health insurance.

Edwards, a lay preacher and civil rights activist, has spent about $90,000 in the race. Miles, an insurance agent, businessman, and former police officer, has spent over $200,000, most of that money he's loaned himself for the bid. He earned the endorsement of the Houston Chronicle, which said Miles was the "better-qualified candidate" because of his "proven business acumen and leadership abilities."

Our full primary results are available on the 2010 elections landing page.