This is the second straight election cycle in which Dewhurst has been upset in a runoff. Dewhurst loses another Texas runoff

Texas state Sen. Dan Patrick, a tea party favorite, defeated incumbent GOP Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in Tuesday’s primary runoff — the second straight election cycle in which Dewhurst has been upset in a runoff.

With 23 percent of precincts reporting, Patrick led Dewhurst, 64 percent to 36 percent. The Associated Press called the race with fewer than 10 percent of precincts reporting.


In a state where tea party politics have continued to push politicians increasingly to the right — even as establishment figures have staved off primary challenges elsewhere — Dewhurst’s loss could further embolden the far right in the upcoming legislative session.

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The March 4 primary spelled trouble for Dewhurst, who as an incumbent came in second in the primary with 28 percent of the vote, to Patrick’s 41 percent. Dewhurst was seeking renomination as lieutenant governor just two years after falling short in a runoff for an open Senate seat against now-Sen. Ted Cruz. As in the 2012 Senate election, Dewhurst faced a runoff against a candidate running to his right.

Since then, Dewhurst has continually had to defend his conservative credentials and dismiss the charge that he is too moderate.