5 Things to Watch for in the Texas Runoffs

By: Associated Press

Posted: Mon 11:32 AM, Jul 30, 2012

AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas voters will select party nominees in 37 runoff elections on Tuesday, and political junkies will be watching for clues to the future.

If tea party candidate Ted Cruz defeats Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, it could signal that Gov. Rick Perry and the party establishment are losing control of the Republican voter.

The turnout in the Democratic Senate race will reveal if voters from that party are taking statewide races seriously while Republicans are holding all of those seats.

Conservative activists have invested heavily in local lawmaker races, hoping to push the Legislature further to the right.

Several races involving Hispanics and Democratic defectors will show whether Republican voters are ready for more diversity.

And key Democratic races for Congress will show whether new leadership is emerging in that party.

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5 Things to Watch for in the Texas Runoffs

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