AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ A Republican showdown building for years between two Texas titans, Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, highlights the anti-establishment, anti-Washington mood of voters. It also emphasizes the muddle that the tea party movement is making in midterm elections.
Support among angry protest voters for a third candidate, Debra Medina, could force Perry and Hutchison to square off again if no candidate gets a majority in Texas’ primary election Tuesday.
Hutchison is fighting to force an April 13 runoff for the GOP nomination for governor, while Perry is pushing hard to wrap it up next week.
On the Democratic side, ex-Houston Mayor Bill White is considered a shoo-in for his party’s nomination over Houston hair-care magnate and political newcomer Farouk Shami.