For all the talk of Texas growing competitive for Democrats in 2016 and beyond, GOP voters are poised to make a harder turn right on Tuesday.
Though the tea party has sputtered this year in elections around the country, Texas' conservative insurgents are the front-runners in Republican primary runoffs for major statewide offices and positioned to bolster their ranks in the Legislature. Victories now and again in November would signal an aggressive new slate of Republican priorities — from tightened spending to expanded gun rights — after Gov. Rick Perry leaves office in January.
Of the four statewide GOP races, none have been nastier than state Sen. Dan Patrick trying to oust longtime Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. Republicans are also nominating an attorney general to replace Greg Abbott, who faces Davis in the governor's race, and candidates for nearly a dozen statehouse races.
