David Dewhurst Loses Runoff In Texas Lieutenant Governor's Race

Texas Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst lost Tuesday's runoff primary to state Sen. Dan Patrick, the Associated Press reports.

Tuesday's election marks the end of the road for Dewhurst, who has served as lieutenant governor under Rick Perry since 2003. Patrick, an outspoken tea party conservative, will face Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van De Putte in November's general election.

Below, more details 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.