State Sen. Dan Patrick has won the Republican runoff primary for Texas lieutenant governor, the Associated Press reports.
The tea party-backed Patrick bested incumbent Texas Lt. Governor David Dewhurst in Tuesday's runoff, following the initial primary in March. Dewhurst has served in the statehouse under Gov. Rick Perry since 2003.
Patrick is set to face Democrat Leticia Van De Putte, who is running alongside Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis.
Below, more details on the race from the Associated Press:
Dewhurst, who finished a distant second in March, has reached into his own pocket, trying to mount a comeback and shed accusations he's become too entrenched and moderate after 11 years in office. But Patrick has seemingly attracted more support — a $4 million haul of donations in the last two months — impressive even by Texas' lofty political fundraising standards.
Candidates have wooed GOP voters by saying Texas can do more to expand gun rights, further restrict access to abortion and increase police presence on the Texas-Mexico border to slow the flow of immigrants in the United States illegally.
Tea party-backed candidates have also admonished the Republican-controlled Legislature as being financially reckless while vowing to slash economic incentives they deride as corporate welfare.
Unlike in 2010 and 2012, tea party-backed candidates in Texas and elsewhere are dealing with a disappointing election year, particularly in congressional and U.S. Senate races. But when it comes to statewide races, many candidates are trying to emulate Ted Cruz, a once little-known state solicitor general who upset Dewhurst for the 2012 U.S. Senate nomination.
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