For all the talk of Texas growing competitive for Democrats in 2016 and beyond, Republican voters are poised to make a harder turn right in Tuesday's primary runoffs.
A victory for Republican Dan Patrick in a nasty lieutenant governor's race would be the biggest victory for tea party-backed candidates in Texas this primary season. Patrick has been favored to oust Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who's spent $5 million of his own fortune trying to win a fourth term.
Republicans are also settling on a nominee for attorney general and agriculture commissioner.
It's a far less lively runoff for Texas Democrats. Their main race is choosing a U.S. Senate nominee to serve as token opposition to Republican John Cornyn.
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