The region of Texas 22nd congressional district is a republican stronghold. The district is dominated by Houston's heavily Republican western and southern suburbs, stretching from Sugar Land and Missouri City in the west and traveling eastward to portions of Pearland and Pasadena, all the way to the NASA Johnson Space Center, Clear Lake City, and Ellington Field. Almost 52% of the poll respondents of the area identified themselves as Republicans. The constituency is said to have played a major role in voting George W. Bush over John Kerry by a 2 to 1 (66%-33%) margin, more than any other district that fell to the Democrats in 2006. The district has a Cook Partisan Voting Index of 15 in favor of the Republicans.

Inspite of this, the district saw a Democrat coming into power in the recent elections. This happened when the House Majority leader Tom DeLay, a prominent member of the Republican Party resigned in 2006 after being indicted and subsequently winning the Republican primary. He also opted out of the General Election. This led to the win of Nick Lampson, a democrat. A Democratic presidential candidate had not carried the district since Lyndon B. Johnson defeated Barry Goldwater in the 1964 election, Democrats hadn’t held the congressional seat since after the 1978 election (Ron Paul had held the seat as an independent before DeLay took over in 1985). Traditionally, among districts in the Houston area, only the 7th District was considered more Republican.

There are many important races going for election in 2008. Out of this, Texas 22nd congressional district is a hotly contested one among the republicans and democrats. There are many known names standing for election in this constituency. This includes former Sugar Land mayor Dean Hrbacek , former Pasadena mayor John Manlove, former John Cornyn Chief of Staff Pete Olson, Family District Judge Jim Squier, State Representative Bob Talton, and NASA contractor Ryan Rowley.