For IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 17, 2008

– HUFFMAN COMES FROM BEHIND TO DEFEAT WELL-KNOWN DEMOCRAT IN RUN-OFF –

– HUFFMAN WIN RESULTS IN RECORD NUMBER OF WOMEN IN TEXAS SENATE –

ALEXANDRIA, VA – Joan Huffman came from behind to defeat well-known Democrat Chris Bell in the special election in the 17th State Senate District in Texas, continuing a streak of Republicans winning at the state and federal level following the November Presidential Election. The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) today congratulates Republican Joan Huffman, a former prosecutor and district court judge, for her victory that resulted in a new record number of women serving in the Texas Senate. Huffman won the run-off to replace Kyle Janek, a Republican who resigned earlier this year, with over 56 percent of the vote after coming in second place in the initial general election.

“The RSLC was pleased to support Joan Huffman’s victorious campaign. Huffman’s comeback win not only results in a record number of women serving in the Senate, but also continues the Republican streak of winning at the state and federal level following the November Presidential Election,” said RSLC President Scott Ward. “We are working to rebuild the Republican Party by building a farm team for the future at the state level and are proud that Joan Huffman will be a part of the team.”

“The RSLC continues to demonstrate success in helping elect strong, common sense leaders to down-ticket offices even in difficult political environments,” added Ward. “Joan Huffman’s opponent has a long, political resume as a former city councilman and member of Congress, candidate for mayor of Houston in 2001, and as the Democrat nominee for Governor in 2006. But we are able to deliver a victory for Republicans nationally by supporting an outstanding candidate like Joan Huffman who not only has the resume and experience, but who offers real solutions and real results.”

The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) is the only national organization whose mission is electing Republicans to the office of Attorney General, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State and State Legislator. The RSLC is the largest caucus of Republican state leaders in the country – making a national impact one state at a time.

The RSLC has over 70,000 donors from all 50 states supporting the RSLC’s goals to pursue a pro-growth agenda, including: reforming the tax code, healthcare and legal systems; promoting a better educational system; encouraging sound energy initiatives; and advocating public safety through tough, crime-fighting policies. During the 2008 election the RSLC helped maintain the number of Republican Attorneys General and Lieutenant Governors across the U.S. In addition, the RSLC was able to deliver new Republican majorities in the Montana, Oklahoma and Tennessee state senates, as well as an unprecedented majority in the Tennessee House of Representatives.