Tuesday is runoff election day, and the Houston Chronicle points out that the District 10 race has become very, very expensive... and why.
The Republican primary runoff for the 10th Congressional District between mortgage banker Ben Streusand and former federal prosecutor Mike McCaul likely will turn on a handful of costly votes.Posted by Alan at April 12, 2004 12:54 AMOn Tuesday, just a few thousand voters may select the next congressman representing the 651,620 people who live in the district that includes all or part of eight counties between west Houston and north Austin.
To reach their supporters, the two candidates have contributed a combined $4.65 million to their campaigns, making it one of the most expensive House races in the country.
Streusand, of Houston, has given his campaign $3.25 million. McCaul, of Austin, has provided $1.4 million of his own money. Total spending will exceed $5 million. That means that between them, their spending per vote cast in the runoff could be $500 if, as both campaigns project, turnout is as low as 10,000.
Rice University political science professor Bob Stein said the two candidates can spend so much money because they know the winner likely will remain in the seat as long as he wants without serious competition.
"Look, this is the only time they will have to raise money," Stein said. "This district was created for a Republican and it is unlikely the winner will get opposition in a party primary in the future."