| Ed. note: The following is one of twenty races we are featuring in the Texas Political Report.
Candidate Pages: Rep. Joe Heflin website, on Facebook
Candidate Pages: Jim Landtroop website, on Facebook, on Twitter District Overview: The Numbers, The Issues, and the Candidates
Rep. Joe Heflin represents sixteen counties in West Texas, stretching from north of Lubbock south to counties neighboring Abilene and San Angelo. The district is "anchored" by Plainview (population: ~22k) and Big Spring (~19k). The district went 71% for John McCain in 2008; though only 12,099 people voted for Obama in the district, 22,823 voted for Heflin in 2008. With over 10,000 voters willing to cross over and vote for Heflin, he has proven that a party label means far less than the work that is done to secure all important local grassroots support. In West Texas, Joe Heflin is very well-liked and well respected. He has received awards from rural community hospitals, was given the "Outstanding Service Award" by the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas, and was given the "People's Choice Award" for "Best Politician" by the readers of the largest paper in the district, the Plainview Daily Herald. As Vice-Chair of the House Rural Caucus, Heflin has shown dedication to representing his district in Austin that has been well received by his constituents. Landtroop lost his election bid in 2006 against Heflin and the re-match this year is shaping up to be a very similar race. The outside anti-Republican wave that is sweeping the country is present in the district, but it has yet to show that it will translate into any down-ballot success for Republicans. Why Rep. Joe Heflin Returns Next Year Like most conservative Democrats, Heflin will always face a tough race because the district is solidly Republican at the top of the ticket. However, his strong record representing the district has been well-noticed by the leaders in his community, and the fiercely independent, no-nonsense attitude of his district should allow him to stay on for another two years. This race is certainly one to watch, but -- like all the rural seats Democrats are protecting this cycle -- is one that is unlikely to flip this year. June 30 Campaign Finance Report: HD 85: Heflin vs. Landtroop
| Contributions
| Expenditures
| Cash on Hand
| Rep. Joe Heflin (D)
| $84,569 | $54,193
| $52,676 | Jim Landtroop (R)
| $59,068 | $8,901 | $64,665 | Advantage
| $25,501 - Heflin | - | $11,989 - Landtroop
| |
