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Veep stakes: Joe Biden counters Mike Pence, backs Democratic entry in crucial Texas congressional race

Sitting Vice President Mike Pence has already made his loyalties to Culberson known, and will be coming to the Houston area later in August to raise money for the Houston Republican.

WASHINGTON — Joe Biden is the latest vice president to weigh in on the highly competitive race for the 7th Congressional District in Houston, endorsing Democrat Lizzie Pannill Fletcher in her bid to unseat Republican Rep. John Culberson, who has been supported by Vice President Mike Pence.

"Lizzie Fletcher has spent her life improving the lives of people across her community. In Congress, she will put partisan politics aside and be the advocate for working families that her district needs in Washington," Biden said in a press release on the endorsement.

Meanwhile, Pence will be coming to the Houston area later in August to raise money for Culberson, a Houston Republican.

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The Culberson-Fletcher race has been rated by nonpartisan election handicappers as one of Texas' closest races in the midterm elections. Democrats hope to pick up 23 seats to flip the House of Representatives.

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Former President Barack Obama has also ventured into the midterms in Texas. On Aug. 1, he endorsed Democrat Colin Allred, who is challenging Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Dallas, in another hotly contested race.

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Biden is widely considered a potential 2020 presidential candidate, but he has not confirmed intentions to run.

Fletcher has been an attorney in the Houston area for most of her career. Her campaign has picked up momentum in recent months, and she raised over $1 million in the second quarter of 2018. Culberson raised significantly less during the same period with $484,000, but he still holds the overall advantage in cash on hand.

Fletcher said in a prepared statement that she is proud to have Biden's endorsement.