David Dewhurst

Texas Republican Dan Patrick, who defeated Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, faces the media at a polling place Tuesday in Houston. Pat Sullivan/AP hide caption

Republican Dan Patrick at his victory party on Tuesday. Patrick defeated incumbent David Dewhurst to capture the Texas GOP lieutenant governor's nomination. Patric Schneider/AP hide caption

Gov. Rick Perry rules the roost at the Texas Republican Convention in Fort Worth on June 7. But his endorsement of Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst fell flat this week as Tea Party fave Ted Cruz crushed Dewhurst in a GOP runoff for U.S. Senate. LM Otero/AP hide caption