The 2010 Republican primary to determine who will face Democratic incumbent Ciro Rodriguez could look just as it did in 2008, when Bexar County Commissioner Lyle Larson, despite being heavily outspent, defeated lawyer and businessman Fransisco "Quico" Canseco.
Canseco has said he will definitely be a candidate and told the San Antonio Express-News that he has already had discussions with the National Republican Congressional Committee. Larson has not made a final decision and told the paper he would make an announcement later this year.
Due mostly to his ability to self-finance his campaign, Canseco has been encouraged to run by NRCC Chair Pete Sessions. Canseco spent $1 million in 2008 and was soundly defeated by Larson. If Canseco decides to run again, expect Sessions and other Republicans to lean on Larson to stay out of the race, given that he lost to Rodriguez by double digits in 2008.
