FortBendNow.com

A race some political observers hyped as a severe test for Tom DeLay turned into a cakewalk, as the incumbent District 22 congressman easily beat back a trio of challengers in the Republican primary election Tuesday.

Final results show DeLay took 20,558 votes – 62% – more than twice the number of votes (9,937, or 30%) his closest challenger, Houston lawyer Tom Campbell, was able to muster. Mike Fjetland, who ran for the fourth time against DeLay, got just 1,550 votes, and teacher Pat Baig managed 1,115.

DeLay’s easy victory brings a November showdown with former Democratic congressman Nick Lampson into focus, in what has become possibly the most expensive congressional campaign ever.

“This race was about who can effectively represent the values and the priorities of the people in this district,” DeLay said. “and I’m proud to have earned, and overwhelmingly kept, that trust among Republican voters. Not only did they reject the politics of personal destruction, but they strongly rejected the candidates who used those Democrat tactics as their platform.”

DeLay referred to Campbell, who repeatedly sought to tie DeLay to indicted former Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff. DeLay’s strategy appeared to be to ignore Campbell’s attacks. Instead, he reminded constituents and local government officials of the number of public works projects he’d helped bring to the district.

But even before the primary voting had concluded, DeLay’s and Lampson’s camps turned up the rhetoric against each other.

“Our volunteers and grassroots activists are just incredible and they worked diligently in neighborhoods around this district,” DeLay said. “I’m honored to have them stand with me as we prepare to defend this district from the funding and activism of America’s most radical Democrats.

“Liberal activists like Barbra Streisand, George Soros, and Nancy Pelosi all have a dog in this fight,” DeLay said, “and his name is Nick Lampson.”

Lampson said Tuesday he called DeLay’s challengers “to congratulate them on their campaigns. It takes courage to put your name on the ballot against Tom DeLay in a Republican primary, and I wanted them to know they have my respect.

“These candidates and their supporters recognized a need for change and had the courage to stand up to Tom DeLay,” Lampson said. “I hope they will join me as we fight our way to November.”