spells trouble in nearby clifton business are kept. reporter: smoked brisket attracts people from all over central texas to the bunkhouse barbecue joint. many here feel their long time congressman chet edwards is just too cozy with washington democrats. burl hammonds support edwards in the past but not this time. done his good stuff, he is moving into the area. how are you doing, rob snrt it is good to see you. thank you. reporter: chet edwards defied the political odds, a democrat elected since 1990 in one of the most republican districts in the country, with heavy support from military veterans but in this year s campaign commercials, edwards sounds more like a republican. when president obama and nancy pelosi pressured chet edwards, chet stood up to them. reporter: two years ago, edward was on the short list to be obama s vice presidential nominee. now had his republican opponent, bill flores, a former oil executive, never shies away from