He's President Bush's congressman in Crawford but a staunch Democrat.

Wednesday night Texas lawmaker Chet Edwards was the only Texan to speak during prime time at the Democratic National Convention.

Edwards was a finalist to be Barack Obama's running mate.

The congressman's district includes Waco and up until 2003 he represented Fort Hood.

At the convention he emphasized Obama's support for troops and veterans by saying, "As President, Barack Obama will responsibly bring our troops home from Iraq, and he'll make better health care and benefits for veterans a higher priority than tax cuts for Exxon-Mobil and the wealthiest Americans."

Edwards represents a Republican-leaning district.

But he's survived two strong challenges within the last decade.