By KRWG News
Texas – Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Attorney General Greg Abbott each won third terms in a GOP sweep of statewide offices heading toward its 20th year.
Dewhurst defeated Linda Chavez-Thompson, a labor leader and vice chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee.
Abbott beat his Democratic challenger, Barbara Ann Radnofsky, a Houston attorney who ran unsuccessfully for Kay Bailey Hutchison's U.S. Senate seat in 2006.
Dewhurst told The Associated Press he believes his victory was part of a message for "government as a last resort" in Texas and elsewhere.
Dewhurst, who also serves as president of the Texas Senate, said his top priority will be working on the state budget, which has been projected to have a shortfall of up to $20 billion.
GOP incumbents Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples and Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson also won.
Republican David Porter topped Democrat Jeff Weems for a seat on the Texas Railroad Commission.
State Comptroller Susan Combs, who didn't face a Democratic challenger, won re-election.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.