FORT WORTH - Texas Gov. Rick Perry has provoked boos at the state Republican Convention by repeating his support for U.S. Senate candidate David Dewhurst.

Perry said Thursday that the country needs more conservatives in Washington like his friend Dewhurst, who has been lieutenant governor since 2003.

That drew loud and sustained boos from supporters of Dewhurst's opponent, former state Solicitor General Ted Cruz. The reaction partially drowned out Perry's cries of "Texas works! Texas works!" as he continued his speech.

Dewhurst and Cruz meet in a runoff election July 31 for the Republican nomination to replacing retiring U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.

Perry also repeatedly applauded the tea party in his convention speech. But many top tea party leaders across Texas and the U.S. are supporting Cruz.