Reports of the Tea Party’s death may be a bit premature, given Tuesday’s victories by candidates who embrace Tea Party values.  The stunning primary run-off elections here in Texas can be called nothing short of the return of Tea Party Power!

The Tea Party movement began in the hearts and minds of average, conservative citizens, most of whom had never been politically active, but who felt betrayed by their government and the empty promises made by their politicians.  The movement grew through popular group rallies and seemed to peak in the off-year elections of 2010.  What followed, as reported in the liberal press, was the death of the movement.  What those liberal reporters and pundits didn’t see was these same grassroots patriots had traded in their colorful protest signs for more sophisticated activism in neighborhood groups, canvassing, telephone banks, and get-out-the-vote drives.  And thus, in record numbers, they transformed what is usually a sleeper—a run-off for a primary election—into a rout for a number of Tea Party-styled candidates.

In a race that received national attention, former TX Solicitor General Ted Cruz won the run-off with TX Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst.  Both touted their conservative credentials, but in the end Cruz won an impressive victory, backed by conservative icons such as former AK Governor and GOP VP candidate Sarah Palin, former PA Senator Rick Santorum, and FOX News commentator Sean Hannity, among others.  Dewhurst’s backing by other conservative, though more establishment, GOP figures such as TX Governor Rick Perry, couldn’t hold off the grassroots tidal wave of support he received from within TX and outside the state.

Locally, Dr. Donna Campbell of New Braunfels handily retired long-time incumbent Senator Jeff Wentworth in the GOP’s 25th Senate District run-off.

In other GOP run-offs, Christi Craddick (also an SATP supporter) beat Warren Chisum in the run-off for Railroad Commissioner. Conservative incumbent Barry Smitherman won over Greg Parker for an unexpired term as Railroad Commissioner. Also, Conservative John Devine beat David Medina in the Supreme Court Place 4 race.

While the SATP by law cannot endorse candidates, our individual patriots worked tirelessly on behalf of those candidates who held views consistent with Tea Party values, including Mr. Cruz and Dr. Campbell.  While all candidates of all parties are invited to SATP events, Mr. Cruz had met with SATP patriots early in his campaign and attended a candidate forum sponsored by SATP in July 2011.  Dr. Campbell is also a well-known to SATP patriots as a frequent attendee at SATP events.  We congratulate these two on their victories and, more importantly, their unequivocal support of conservative constitutional and Tea Party values.

On the Democratic side, Paul Sandler defeated Grady Yarbrough to take on Ted Cruz for the U.S. Senate seat held by retiring GOP Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson.  On the local scene, State Representative Pete Gallego of Alpine defeated former-times-two U.S. Congressman Ciro Rodriguez of San Antonio to face Tea Party-conservative Congressman Francisco “Quico” Canseco in the 23rd Congressional District.

For additional information on these elections, visit the TX Secretary of State election websites: http://enr.sos.state.tx.us/enr/results/july31_162_state.htm?x=0&y=1824&id=998 and http://enr.sos.state.tx.us/enr/results/july31_163_state.htm.

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