SMRs and AMRs

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Lieutenant Governor Loses Texas Runoff as Tea Party Holds Sway

By MANNY FERNANDEZ, NYT
MAY 27, 2014

HOUSTON — Dan Patrick, a state senator who has taken outspoken stands against abortion, same-sex marriage and illegal immigration, won a Republican runoff for lieutenant governor on Tuesday, handily defeating David Dewhurst, the longtime incumbent, in a race that illustrated the continuing power of the Tea Party in Texas.

Mr. Patrick, 64, a radio talk show host from Houston who received widespread Tea Party support, had been expected by many political strategists to defeat Mr. Dewhurst. He finished well ahead of Mr. Dewhurst in the March primary, though he failed to get enough votes to avoid a runoff.

“The people of Texas have given us a mandate tonight,” Mr. Patrick told supporters at a hotel ballroom here, adding: “Tea Party folks love America. They love the Constitution. They love free markets. And they love the Second Amendment. And they love Texas. And they love the liberty that is granted to them by God and not government.”

He now faces the Democratic nominee, State Senator Leticia Van de Putte, in November. Republicans control both chambers of the Legislature and all statewide elected offices, but a victory is not assured for Mr. Patrick. Even within his own party, detractors have described his tone as strident.

(More here.)

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