Ted Cruz's Texas Senate primary victory: 4 takeaways

A look at why Texas Republicans are sending a political newbie — and not a lieutenant governor backed by the GOP establishment — to vie for a U.S. Senate seat

Former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz greets supporters on July 31 in Houston: Cruz' stunning primary defeat of Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst signaled a growing rift between Tea Partiers and the
(Image credit: AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)

Tea Party–backed former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz easily beat Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in Texas' Republican primary runoff for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R). Cruz's big upset over the once heavily favored Dewhurst means that the 41-year-old Cruz, who has never held elected office, will almost certainly beat Democrat Paul Sadler to become Texas' first Latino U.S. senator. Here are four big takeaways from Cruz's victory:

1. The Tea Party notched a big win

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