EDITORIAL - Ron Paul easily beat challenger Chris Peden in his home district (14) yesterday and won re-election to his seat in the House of Representatives, a sign that small government and individual liberties are still alive and well in certain areas of the country.

“I am honored that the voters in the 14th District expressed their continued confidence in my leadership by overwhelmingly reelecting me to the House of Representatives. I have no Democrat opponent in November and will serve another term in Congress where I will continue my battle in behalf of taxpayers,” Paul said in a statement. Paul's entire statement is provided at the end of this article.

Paul's detractors seemed giddy at the possibility of the Texas Representative losing his seat in Congress while running an unsuccessful bid for the presidency - a possibility that was fortunately put to rest by voters in Paul's district. John McCain officially won the GOP nomination last night, effectively ending the Primary season for the Republicans.

Paul battled Chris Peden, a certified public accountant, in his home district. Paul handily defeated Peden by a margin of nearly 40-percentage points, which sends a clear signal that Paul's Libertarian-leaning record of small government and reduced wasteful spending is an idea that resonates with the people who know him best.

Ron Paul's statement:

“I am honored that the voters in the 14th District expressed their continued confidence in my leadership by overwhelmingly reelecting me to the House of Representatives. I have no Democrat opponent in November and will serve another term in Congress where I will continue my battle in behalf of taxpayers.

My message of limited-government and upholding the Constitution has once again been endorsed by the conservative-minded voters in my district. They understand and support the battle I have waged for thirty years to make the federal government smaller, to reduce wasteful government spending, to balance the budget, and to promote a foreign policy that always puts America first.

Some Washington insiders would have you believe that Republicans no longer believe in the principles our country and party were founded upon, but the voters in my district have once again proven them wrong.

The message of freedom is popular, and I will continue to trumpet it in Congress and across America as I fight on behalf of the conservative, common sense values which made our country so great.

In conclusion, I would like to offer my thanks and gratitude to all of the wonderful people who supported me in this campaign. I look forward to representing all of the good people of the 14th District of Texas in Congress in the years to come.”