Poe takes commanding lead in race for U.S. Representative District 2

Having held the position since 2004, Poe said he believes the role of government will be a significant issue facing the federal government in the upcoming legislative session.

"[Americans] think government is too intrusive in their lives," Poe said. "Government needs to work for Americans, not against Americans. We need to get more liberty in our personal lives and our business lives."

With Republicans set to possibly take over the majority in the U.S. Senate, Poe said he is excited about work Congress can achieve during his next term. He said the House has more than 380 bills set to try and pass in the next session, including Keystone Pipeline legislation and Poe's own sex trafficking bill.

"Republicans are in charge, and now we have a responsibility to lead, especially since it looks like the Senate looks to be a Republican [majority]," Poe said. "I look forward to making some progress. The people are frustrated, and Congress is frustrated, because we haven't been able to get anything passed through Congress."

Prior to serving District 2, Poe served for 22 years as a criminal court judge in Houston and worked for eight years in the Harris County District Attorney's Office, where he became the chief felony prosecutor.

At age 25, Letsos claimed to be the youngest congressional candidate in the country. The native Houstonian attended Spring Branch ISD schools, where he has been an educator since graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor's degree in history and government in 2009.

District 2 is located solely in Harris County, including portions of Spring, Klein and Cy-Fair.

All results are unofficial until canvassed.

Postd 7:20 CST

Rep. Ted Poe, R-Houston, has taken a substantial early lead in his bid for reelection for U.S. Representative District 2. Poe has received nearly 70 percent of the 81,228 votes cast following the results of early voting and absentee ballots.

With none of the precincts reported from election day, Poe's Democratic opponent, Niko Letsos, has received about 28.4 percent of the votes, or about 23,100 votes. Libertarian candidate James B. Veasaw has received 1.1% of the votes, while Green Party candidate Mark Roberts received about 0.7% of the votes.

Poe has held the position since he was first elected in 2004. Prior to serving District 2, Poe served for 22 years as a criminal court judge in Houston and worked for eight years in the Harris County District Attorney's Office, where he became the chief felony prosecutor.

At age 25, Letsos claimed to be the youngest congressional candidate in the country. The native Houstonian attended Spring Branch ISD schools, where he has been an educator since graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor's degree in history and government in 2009.

District 2 is located solely in Harris County, including portions of Spring, Klein and Cy-Fair.

All results are unofficial until canvassed.