A RINO is a conservative imposter. Among other things RINOs believe in big government, going along to get along, political elitism, abortion and enriching themselves in office. In the absense of any other info I say two things you didn’t mention are in play in Texas:
1. RINOs are going along to get along.
2. Genuine conservatives out number them.
One other thing: RINOs have no core principles which they would fight and/or die for. They simply gravitate to the most powerful political entity. Some call this being a politician. I call it souless. One could intuit from my comment that if conservatism was the dominant philosophy RINOs would gravitate toward it. Undoubtedly this would be true in some cases. But I instinctively do not trust people whose total existence is defined by self interest.
The earliest use of RINO for the purpose of differentiating Conservatives from Liberals was AFTER 9/11/2001 on Free Republic ~ in a thread where the classical meaning was also used. All earlier usages pertained to former Democrat office-holders.
Since we already have sufficient names to call or describe the filthy little Leftwingtards in this country I suggest we continue using them and not get hung up all that much on RINOs except to CUT THEM OFF. We do not need any more ex-Democrat officeholders running as Republicans to help us out.