Chet Edwards (Getty Images/Edward Cavanaugh)

Democratic Rep. Chet Edwards , who represents a strongly conservative-leaning district in central Texas, is organizing a well-funded campaign for an 11th term next year.

Edwards’ campaign said Tuesday that it had $869,000 cash-on-hand as July began — the most that it has ever had 16 months ahead of a general election. Edwards had $684,000 cash-on-hand in mid-2007, $562,000 in mid-2005 and $307,000 in mid-2003.  

Edwards’ campaign said that the fundraising figures, which it will report in greater detail to the Federal Election Commission by Wednesday’s deadline, demonstrate that the congressman “has the strong early momentum it will take to win in 2010.”