Tea Party Takes Texas

Breitbart ^ | 28 May 2014, 6:52 AM PDT | Bob Price

[SoConPubbie]

HOUSTON, Texas—The Tea Party is alive and well and is firmly established as a dominant force in Texas Republican politics. Victories by Tea Party favorites nearly swept the statewide Republican runoff election.

Establishment candidates like State Representative Dan Branch and State Senator Bob Deuell faded quietly in defeat while strongly supported Tea Party candidates like Sen. Dan Patrick, Sen. Ken Paxton, and former State Rep. Sid Miller sailed to easy victories in their statewide races.

The trend of Tea Party victories continued down the ballot as well. In Senate District 10 (currently held by Sen. Wendy Davis), Tea Party favorite Konni Burton won her race with a 20 point margin over the more moderate Mark Shelton. In a report by Merrill Hope, Burton told Breitbart Texas, “We are so excited.  We've been working for this for a year.  Our message has resonated with the voters and we couldn't be more pleased." Burton was also supported by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz who, in 2012, proved the Tea Party and grassroots activism can overcome insurmountable odds to bring victory for conservative principles.

In spite of viscous attacks from his moderate opponent, Tea Party faithful’s stood strong beside Sen. Ken Paxton and delivered a victory that was never in doubt after early voting numbers showed a Paxton lead of 24 percent. Throughout the night, the numbers increased and Paxton won the nomination for Texas Attorney General with a 27 point margin of victory over Dan Branch.

And, of course, Sen. Dan Patrick’s victory in the race for Lt. Governor over David Dewhurst with a margin of 30 percent sent yet another strong statement of Tea Party strength. Rice University political scientist Mark Jones told the Austin American-Statesman, “Patrick’s win signals an important shift to the right within the Texas GOP, both electorally

[SoConPubbie]

"If we must have an enemy at the head of Government, let it be one whom we can oppose, and for whom we are not responsible, who will not involve our party in the disgrace of his foolish and bad measures." - Alexander Hamilton "We don't intend to turn the Republican Party over to the traitors in the battle just ended. We will have no more of those candidates who are pledged to the same goals as our opposition and who seek our support. Turning the Party over to the so-called moderates wouldn’t make any sense at all." -- President Ronald Reagan "A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice." - Thomas Paine 1792 "It does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men." - Samuel Adams "If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen." - Samuel Adams

[leapfrog0202]

Hooray for TX! May many more follow your lead!

[afraidfortherepublic]

Establishment candidates like State Representative Dan Branch and State Senator Bob Deuell faded quietly in defeat while strongly supported Tea Party candidates like Sen. Dan Patrick, Sen. Ken Paxton, and former State Rep. Sid Miller sailed to easy victories in their statewide races.

What makes the "Tea Party candidates" any less establishment than the ones they ousted? Looks like they all were already Senators and Assemblypersons.

This whole meme about Tea Party vs. GOPe is just another way to divide the vote and to make sure that Republican influence is diminished.

[A Navy Vet]

"What makes the "Tea Party candidates" any less establishment than the ones they ousted? Looks like they all were already Senators and Assemblypersons."

Really? I'll leave it to others to explain the difference.

[ExTxMarine]

I am so glad to see that my state is moving in the one direction that MAY lead to serious solutions for us, for other states, and (with the help of God) the US Federal government!

All of the people I voted for in the state-wide runoffs won, so I am very happy!

I have stated it before and I will again - I wish more Texans had moved this way before nominating John “Kaye Bailey” Cornyn for another shot at screwing over conservatives!!

[GeronL]

bump

[Graewoulf]

” - - - International Business Times cited another Reuters article which quotes Republican strategist Bill Miller saying, “I do think the Republican Party could be eclipsed by the Tea Party here.” - - - - “

Yup.

[TStro]

They were opposed by the GOPe whose candidates were well funded. These folks had little money. Did it with grass roots support. Dewhurst had all the big donors on his side - the Lt Governor has great power (Governor is really a figure head in TX) to set the legislative agenda. The money people knew if he won without their support, they wouldn’t get anything through the legislature.

[afraidfortherepublic]

I know the difference — but they still are pretty establishment. They have titles. A true Tea Party candidate would be a novice.

My point is that all this emphasis on Tea Party victories and defeats is just another point to divide us. Keep your eyes on the prize. Almost any Republican in office — even a RINO — is better than the average Dumocrat.

I know that it is annoying that some GOPe types consider Tea Partiers as a threat, instead of as help towards a goal, but the Tea Partiers and their supporters should ignore those slights and just keep campaigning and voting. They’ll win in the end.

[afraidfortherepublic]

See #9. And all credit to them for their victories. If they can now keep it together for the General, and the GOPe should swallow their pride and give money to help them.

[TexasCajun]

David Henry Dewhurst is the 41st and current Lieutenant Governor of Texas, serving since January 21, 2003. A member of the Republican Party, he previously was the Texas Land Commissioner from 1999 to 2003.

"Dirty Dewhurst was humiliated by T.E.A. Party candiate Dan Patrick by a whopping 65% to 35% margin.

Too bad we misfired on John Cornyn with a half-hearted, sub-par candidate.

[fwdude]

This was some much-needed good news. I almost forget what that looks like.

[magna carta]

My response to the headline: In your DREAMS.
There is no real tea party here...LOL!
Dan Patrick...Tea Party ? Not hardly.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

The last comment about “mending fences” is reliant on just one thing: if the liberal Republicans agree to back the conservative winners in the primaries. If, as in other races, they refuse to do so, then the liberals have no place left in the party.

That is, when they lose, if in a snit they throw their support to leftist Democrats, they need not let the door hit them on the rear end as they are leaving.

[A_Tradition_Continues]

Appears the term “Texas T” has assumed a new meaning.

[SoConPubbie]

The last comment about “mending fences” is reliant on just one thing: if the liberal Republicans agree to back the conservative winners in the primaries. If, as in other races, they refuse to do so, then the liberals have no place left in the party.

Exactly!

No more compromising on principles.

Either they do it our way or they can hit the highway.

[deport]

If they can now keep it together for the General,

************

Curently Texas is GOP controlled at both the State and Federal level. On the local level
the Democrats have areas where they control things like the county and city offices.

The Gop controls all statewide elected offices from Gov. on down. They control the State
Senate 19 to 12 and the State House 95 to 55. The GOP has both US Senators and
24 of the 36 US House seats. So things will change as time goes on but for the current
time it’s the GOP, Tea Party or otherwise.