Aftermath of Texas Republican Primary for U.S. Senate

The crowded field in the Texas Republican Primary for the U.S. Senate was thinned to two last night. Lt. Governor David Dewhurst and Ted Cruz finished in the top two places and they have advanced to the July 31 runoff.

Between now and the runoff, both candidates are expected to saturate media advertising across the state.  During the primary both Cruz and Dewhurst were active with radio, television and one-sheet mailer advertising. The candidates are also expected to continue to radio talkshow circuit, appearing on programs across the state, including Lubbock's First News on KFYO and Pratt on Texas.

Former ESPN college football commentator Craig James finished fourth in the race.  While he was the most well-known candidate to the general public before the election, it failed to translate into votes.  James released this statement once he was officially eliminated from the runoff:

"Tonight, Texans have spoken and they have said they want a second round between David Dewhurst and Ted Cruz. I accept the judgment of the people, and I congratulate both candidates for making it into the runoff. It is now critically important that our conservative values be spoken to and boldly represented by each candidate.

"We, the people of Texas, will be watching carefully to determine how we will vote on the second Primary day. I, for one, will support the candidate who is the conservative alternative between the two. It will be a decision that we will all have to make, and we should listen carefully to what the candidates have to say before we cast our votes.

"I want to thank all of those who have supported and encouraged me: my family, particularly my wife Marilyn and my daughter Jessica, for all the help they provided both spiritually and emotionally. Thank you to my incredible campaign team, led by campaign manager Corbett Howard, for doing a great job and never losing heart.

"And of course, I want to thank the people of Texas for participating in one of freedom’s greatest exercises: the right to vote. It is my intention to stay actively involved in the conservative movement, and to have my voice heard in the months and years to come. Again, thank you and may God bless Texas and the United States."

Meanwhile, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst (right) finished with the most votes in the race and he released this statement to his supporters to gear up for the runoff:

"Tricia joins me in thanking you for your strong support. We are thrilled to announce that, with your help, we have received the most votes for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate—by far.

"We are one step closer to taking the proven Texas model of fiscal responsibility and job-friendly principles to turn Washington around and put our country back on the path to prosperity.

"The runoff is just a few short weeks away, and I am confident that we will prevail over the Washington insiders funding my opponent. I hope we can count on your continued efforts to send the failed Obama experiment to the history books and send President Obama back to Chicago."

Ted Cruz, via Twitter, stated, "We're on to the the Primary Runoff! Stand with me in this conservative fight against the establishment."

Cruz also started asking for new campaign donations online, to help fund his runoff campaign.

Former Dallas Mayor, Tom Leppert, finished third and he told KERA News in Dallas, "I think the numbers are pretty clear. You know, I felt like we got in it for the right reasons. I think we conducted the campaign in the right manner."

Neither Leppert nor James endorsed a candidate in the July runoff election.

Current U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison is not running for re-election.

Here are the full results for the U.S. Senate GOP Primary race:

U. S. Senator
Glenn Addison- 22,791-- 1.63%
Joe Agris 4,538-- 0.32%
Curt Cleaver 6,617-- 0.47%
Ted Cruz 477,032-- 34.25%  Advance to Runoff
David Dewhurst 620,712-- 44.57%  Advance to Runoff
Ben Gambini 7,163-- 0.51%
Craig James 50,028-- 3.59%
Tom Leppert 185,835-- 13.34%
Lela Pittenger 17,917-- 1.28%