TEXAS VOTES - AT 7:32 P.M. ET:  Today is Texas primary day.  We should have results within hours. 

The key race, for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, pits incumbent Governor Rick Perry against Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.  There is a third candiate - Debra Medina, more or less representing some of the Tea Partiers. 

Hutchison started well, but it's been mostly downhill.   She must keep Perry, the favorite, under 50% to force a runoff.  Medina also started well, and her support seemed to grow, but she weakened after seeming to imply that there might be some truth to the 9-11 truthers.  She backtracked, but the damage was done. 

The big surprise has been how poorly Hutchison's campaign has gone.  She will probably lose, diminishing her political standing generally, and in the Senate.  But, Texas being very red, the winner of the primary will probably win in November.

Hutchison promised that she would resign her Senate seat whether she won or lost in the gubernatorial race, but the betting is that she will withdraw the promise and rebuild her legacy.

March 2, 2010