Fletcher defeats Culberson to flip Texas district for Democrats

Democrat Lizzie Pannill Fletcher defeated longtime GOP incumbent Rep. John Culberson in the tight race to represent areas of Houston and its suburbs.

Texas’s 7th District was once considered a Republican stronghold, but narrowly voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016.

Fletcher’s victory showed that conservative distaste over President Trump’s politics was enough to turn voters against an incumbent who has represented the district since 2001.{mosads}

Culberson’s main pitch was the billions of dollars in relief money he secured for Houston in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, but it was his support for ObamaCare repeal that cost him most.

Fletcher hammered Culberson for his votes to repeal ObamaCare and its protections for people with pre-existing conditions.

Fletcher has also declined to say whether she will support Nancy Pelosi for House Speaker. 

Fletcher was declared the winner with 52 percent of the vote and 93 percent of precincts reporting.