Cruz Defeat of Dewhurst is A Victory for Grass Roots Conservatives

Defying all early expectations and upending long-standing conventional wisdom in Texas Republican politics, former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz handily won the Republican runoff for an open U.S. Senate seat Tuesday night.

He moves on to the general election against former state Rep. Paul Sadler, who defeated retired educator Grady Yarbrough in the Democratic runoff.

Cruz defeated Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst after a lengthy, contentious political battle in which Cruz painted a longtime statewide elected official backed by Gov. Rick Perry as a moderate.

"Tonight is a victory for the grass roots," Cruz said Tuesday night. "It is a testament to Republican women, to Tea Party leaders and to grass-roots conservatives."

In a short concession speech, Dewhurst said he was proud of the race he had run.

http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/cruz-defeats-dewhur...