And they told us the tea party was dead…
Ted Cruz campaigned in Houston on Tuesday as Texas voters went to the polls to determine the Republican nominee for the United States Senate seat being vacated by Kay Bailey Hutchison. (NY Times)
Tea Party favorite Ted Cruz trounced Lt. Governor David Dewhurst in the Texas primary tonight.
The AP reported:
Tea party darling Ted Cruz trounced the Republican establishment favorite, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, in Texas’ runoff election Tuesday, winning the GOP nomination to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison in an outcome that figured to reverberate far beyond the Lone Star State.
The race had been closely watched nationally, seen as one of America’s most-vivid contrasts between the GOP mainstream and the tea party. But as results began to pour in, it turned out to be no contest – with Cruz grabbing early leads in key cities around the state where Dewhurst had once enjoyed stronger name recognition, fundraising and political organization just weeks earlier.
Overseeing the state Senate from the powerful lieutenant governor’s post since 2003, Dewhurst was long considered a slam dunk in his race with Cruz, the son of a Cuban immigrant and former state solicitor general. Dewhurst had the endorsement of much of Texas’ Republican mainstream, including Gov. Rick Perry, who despite his failed run for president was still widely popular back home. He also had a $200 million personal fortune he could dip into at will and did, loaning his Senate campaign at least $24.5 million.
Here’s the live stream of the election night party at the Cruz headquarters.
UPDATE: Sarah Palin released this statement after the results were announced tonight:
Congratulations to Ted Cruz! This is a victory both for Ted and for the grassroots Tea Party movement. This primary race has always been about the kind of leadership we need in D.C. Our goal is not just about changing the majority in the Senate. It is about the kind of leadership we want. Ted Cruz represents the kind of strong conservative leadership we want in D.C. Go-along to get-along career politicians who hew the path of least resistance are no longer acceptable at a time when our country is drowning in debt and our children’s futures are at stake. The message of this race couldn’t be clearer for the political establishment: the Tea Party is alive and well and we will not settle for business as usual. Now, it’s on to November!
