Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst is telling supporters that if they like the job he's done in Austin as lieutenant governor, they would love the job he'd do as a senator in Washington.
Dewhurst spoke to supporters Tuesday night in Houston. He and former Solicitor General Ted Cruz finished in the top two Tuesday night for the GOP nod to replace Kay Bailey Hutchison.
Dewhurst entered the race as the mainstream GOP choice and frontrunner. But he fell just short of the 50 percent necessary to avoid a runoff. The two men will face off July 31.
Dewhurst said Tuesday that his business experience and work as head of the state senate made him most qualified. He said he wanted to repeal President Barack Obama's health-care overhaul and end what he called a "war on Texas."
Meantime, Former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz is celebrating what he's calling an "incredible" night after forcing a runoff in the race for the GOP nod for US Senate.
Cruz has gotten millions of dollars from national tea party groups that say Dewhurst is too moderate. Cruz told supporters Tuesday night in Houston that he's fought back against Dewhurst — who poured $15 million of his own money into the campaign — and benefitted from voter anger at incumbents.
He compared himself to several Republicans across the country who challenged party leaders to win Senate seats.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.