In the suburban Houston 7th district, Rep. John Culberson (R-Texas) held off a challenge from wind energy executive Michael Skelly, who had tried to position himself as a conservative Democrat and used his personal wealth and fundraising prowess to bankroll a vigorous campaign.

With 81 percent of precincts reporting, Culberson held 56 percent to Skelly’s 43 percent and was declared the winner by the Associated Press.

In the end, Skelly was unable to overcome the strong GOP bent of the district, which has become a GOP bastion — especially in presidential election years.