Cruz Leads Dewhurst in Texas Runoff

A new Public Policy Polling survey in Texas finds Ted Cruz (R) leading David Dewhurst (R) in for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination, 52% to 42%.

Key findings: “Cruz is ahead by a whooping 75-22 margin with Tea Party voters, more than making up for a 56-39 deficit to Dewhurst with voters who don’t consider themselves members of that movement. There has been too much of a tendency to ascribe any Republican primary upset over the last few years to Tea Party voters, but this is one case where it’s well justified.”

Politico: “Despite being outspent more than 3-to-1, having never run for office and being tasked with penetrating the Lone Star State’s 20 media markets with virtually zero name recognition, Cruz is well positioned to upset Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst Tuesday. It’s a scenario that would send shockwaves through the political elite and embolden the thousands of conservatives from across the country who have descended here to help push him over the finish line.”

The runoff is on Tuesday.