Steve Toth for Congress

Charlie Cook rates Texas’ Eighth Congressional District as the fourth most conservative House district in the country. It went heavily for Ted Cruz in his race 2012 primary race against David Dewhurst.

Yet TX-8 is represented by Kevin Brady, recipient of a 55 percent rating this Congress by Heritage Action. Brady, the head of the Ways and Means Committee, was a backer of the disgraceful omnibus spending bill.

Brady faces stiff Republican opposition in the form of Steve Toth. He’s a businessman, former pastor, and current member of the Texas State House of Representatives.

The Texas Eagle Forum named Toth the “Top Rated Conservative in the Texas House.” Toth led the charge against Common Core in Texas and against the Medicaid expansion. He’s strongly pro-gun owner, in contrast to Brady who in 1993 was one of only two Texas House members to vote against concealed carry.

Brady is ahead of Toth, but it’s a competitive race. In December, the Houston Chronicle reported that Brady is feeling the heat generated by an angry electorate.

Since then, Toth has continued to make progress. Brady, sensing that his lead is shrinking, recently made a massive advertising buy.

Toth knows how to win an insurgency campaign. As the Chronicle noted, he upset state Rep. Rob Eissler in 2012 by calling him out as insufficiently conservative.

An upset win early in this year’s cycle (the primary will take place on March 1) would send a sobering message to Speaker Ryan and the rest of the House leadership, in much the same way that Eric Cantor’s defeat did, though hopefully with greater effect.

You can contribute to Steve Toth’s campaign here. I just did.

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