[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.

[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.