Texas GOP Primary Results Are In...
The primary results are in and it appears that David Dewhurst will finish with less than 50%. He needed a majority to avoid a July 31 run-off. Ted Cruz pulled in second, behind by double digits. I have real doubts that he can defeat Dewhurst in the run-off. Cruz has the Tea Party vote and the confidence of national conservative cognoscenti; Dewhurst has the vote of every one else. And most important of all: he has more money than Cruz.
Ted Cruz is such a superior candidate, on paper and on principle, but the Lieutenant Governor is the true state executive. I've read rumors that Dewhurst is squeezing legislators--even the governor--threatening to block their projects and grants if they don't support him in this race. I believe it. Dewhurst has run a nasty campaign: insinuating that Cruz' father was a Castro-sympathizer (you're to believe that Cruz is a commie at heart), then attacking him for being an inside-the-beltway lawyer (and a Supreme Court clerk to CJ Rehnquist and a Supreme Court advocate).
I would hope that most Texans would do their homework on the two men and not be persuaded by political marketing sludge. But let's get real folks. This isn't Socrates' Athens or Calvin's Geneva. Most Texans will simply check the most familiar name paired with an R, and that means we'll have David Dewhurst representing our state in the United States Senate.
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May '11
Re: Texas GOP Primary Results Are In...
A few weeks ago, I was sitting at dinner with 8 conservative Texans and I asked about Ted Cruz's chances of wining the primary and all of them looked at me with wonder and asked, "Who is Ted Cruz"?
May '11
Re: Texas GOP Primary Results Are In...
46% to 32.41%, closer to a 14% difference than 20%. That sounds more doable. It's laudable that someone with no name recognition 6 months ago could force a runoff with someone who has had a big name for the last decade.
Mr. Cruz has exactly 2 months to make the case. Turn out will likely be lower, but I would think he has more ardent supporters (including myself). The name recognition voters, I believe, will be less likely to show than those who actually voted for Ted Cruz. It may be a nail biter.
Nov '11
Re: Texas GOP Primary Results Are In...
Rick Bateman: 46% to 32.41%, closer to a 14% difference than 20%. That sounds more doable. It's laudable that someone with no name recognition 6 months ago could force a runoff with someone who has had a big name for the last decade.
Mr. Cruz has exactly 2 months to make the case. Turn out will likely be lower, but I would think he has more ardent supporters (including myself). The name recognition voters, I believe, will be less likely to show than those who actually voted forTed Cruz. It may be a nail biter. · 34 minutes ago
That's my hunch, as well. Let's hope.
Oct '10
Re: Texas GOP Primary Results Are In...
Why is Rick Perry supporting Dewhurst? I thought he was a tea party guy? Maybe he's still upset at the ABR tea people for not giving him a 2nd chance, instead they moved on to Cain, Gingrich, Paul, and finally Santorum.
May '12
Re: Texas GOP Primary Results Are In...
Loyalty still runs deep and Dewhurst has been Perry's wingman on a lot of issues, but Perry's endorsement isn't what it used to be.
I supported Ted Cruz and think the enthusiasm gap will make a big difference in the run off. Those who supported Cruz do so enthusiastically, I think we will turn out in size for the run off. Dewhurst relied largely on name recognition. When there isn't anything else on the ballot to vote for will the casual voters that ticked off Dewhurst's name come out a 2nd time?
Oct '10
Re: Texas GOP Primary Results Are In...
with 100% of the votes in, Cruz has narrowed the gap between him and Dewhurst to 10 points.
Dewhurst 44%, Cruz 34%
http://campaign2012.washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/beltway-confidential/morning-examiner-texas-tea-party-tempest/569531
May '11
Re: Texas GOP Primary Results Are In...
Talk radio has been saying Gov. Perry and others are trying to get rid of Dewhurst. I can't find much to back that up, more about different management styles as Dewhurst made millions in oil and is accustomed to running things his way, for better or worse. The Lt. Gov. in Texas is more powerful, policy-wise, in Texas. But the Gov sets the public agenda, which is Perry's strong point, he's more of a people person.
Dewhurst did a lot of stumping for Perry, so he's just returning a favor a la Palin/McCain.
Jun '10
Re: Texas GOP Primary Results Are In...
Am I right that Silvestre Reyes got beat in a primary? What's the back story on that one?
Jul '11
Re: Texas GOP Primary Results Are In...
As someone who is relatively new to Texas politics, I've had a tough time getting a clear picture of each of the candidates. Jordan, can you (or another Ricochetti) recommend a good place to read up on the candidates? I'd like to cast an informed vote in the runoff.
-E
Sep '11
Re: Texas GOP Primary Results Are In...
E, not sure if you follow NRO, but Jay Nordlinger has written quite a bit about Ted Cruz. But this is the cover story from NR by Brian Bolduc. I like him a lot and am hoping that the Leppert supporters will swing to his camp. I have never been a fan of Dewhurst. I started in R campaigns in 1999 as he was getting started, and he always struck me as a weaselly kind of guy.
I'm with Brent in hoping that the enthusiasts come out and vote in July.
Sep '11
Re: Texas GOP Primary Results Are In...
And I'm hoping that now with his runoff spot, more Texans will know the answer to this question.
Jul '10
Re: Texas GOP Primary Results Are In...
I contributed a couple of times to the Cruz campaign and just did again. Good wishes are fine but money talks in a big state like Texas with its many media markets. Empty out your loose change jar for Ted. There's more in it than you think.
Jan '12
Re: Texas GOP Primary Results Are In...
This household will be voting for Cruz and will be disappointed with a Dewhurst win. And being an Austinite I have to savor the national races since the local ones don't go my way.
So don't get me wrong when I say: I love the fact that I live in a state where the key decision is which Republican I like better. My brother's boss just won the Republican primary for Montgomery County District Attorney; and that's it. There's no Democratic challenger. Love it.
Edited on May 30, 2012 at 5:08pmJul '11
Re: Texas GOP Primary Results Are In...
DutchTex: E, not sure if you follow NRO, but Jay Nordlinger has written quite a bit about Ted Cruz. But this is the cover story from NR by Brian Bolduc. I like him a lot and am hoping that the Leppert supporters will swing to his camp. I have never been a fan of Dewhurst. I started in R campaigns in 1999 as he was getting started, and he always struck me as a weaselly kind of guy.
I'm with Brent in hoping that the enthusiasts come out and vote in July. · 3 hours ago
Thanks, Dutch. Would I be pushing my luck by asking if you knew of some good info on the run-off elections for Smith County Sheriff or Railroad Commissioner?
-E
Sep '10
Re: Texas GOP Primary Results Are In...
It is funny you mention this, because although I follow current events more closely than most, I had little idea who Ted Cruz was. Where I think Dewhurst stumbled IMHO was in running negative adds about Cruz even before I knew who he was.
My radar went up immediately and without much real justification I knew I would not vote for Dewhurst. I think Dewhurst should have run on his qualifications and stayed above it all rather than making it about some company that Cruz defended in a law suit.
Sep '11
Re: Texas GOP Primary Results Are In...
Of course not! In the Smith/Green sheriff race, I'm inclined toward Green, though I imagine these two are not too different in temperment. The JB Smith era is over since Garmon lost, and that is a good thing. There is a lot of stink attached to that guy. I like Green because he's been proactive in reaching out to law enforcement agencies around the county. Larry Smith has more experience with investigations, but I am wary of anyone who's been associated with Smith County law enforcement over the last several years.
CandE
Thanks, Dutch. Would I be pushing my luck by asking if you knew of some good info on the run-off elections for Smith County Sheriff or Railroad Commissioner?
-E · 51 minutes ago
Sep '11
Re: Texas GOP Primary Results Are In...
As to Railroad Commissioner, for Craddick/Chisum, I'm generally for Chisum. Craddick is from an old-school Texas political family, and raised A LOT of money, which makes me thinks she'll be beholden to particular companies/interests. Chisum is actually an oil and gas producer himself, so he's got practical experience.
The Parker/Smitherman race is a little more difficult. I like Parker because he's African American and willing to "come out" as a Republican (much like my other favorite Michael Williams, former RRC, who unfortunately lost his primary). Objectively, he does not have as much political experience, though he's a county commissioner in Comal County. But his PhD thesis, which he's working on right now, is focusing on urban natural gas exploration and production, so he has knowledge of the industry.
Barry Smitherman is a lawyer, appointed by Perry to fill Michael Williams unexpired term. He really has no knowledge of the oil and gas industry, except his experience of the last year he's been at the RRC. He may be a perfectly nice and capable guy, but "lawyer" and "Perry appointee" end it for me.
Edited on May 30, 2012 at 9:26pmJul '11
Re: Texas GOP Primary Results Are In...
Good stuff. Thanks again!
-E
Apr '11
Re: Texas GOP Primary Results Are In...
"We have not yet begun to fight!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5BuvYTix64
Apr '11
Re: Texas GOP Primary Results Are In...
Then there is this:
http://ricochet.com/member-feed/Who-has-more-influence-with-Texas-GOP-voters-Rick-Perry-or-Sarah-Palin