TEXAS TONIGHT – AT 8:43 A.M. ET:  We want to alert readers that there's a fascinating, and important, senatorial primary in Texas today, deciding on the Republican candidate who will, in the November election, try to replace Kay Bailey Hutchison in the U.S. Senate. 

The race is establishment versus anti-establishment.  Based on the current political situation, the winner today will probably win in November.  From CNN:

(CNN) – In an election year with notable Senate primary upsets, Texas may well be the next state with a narrative ending in victory for a conservative grassroots underdog.

Voters head to the polls Tuesday to choose between Lt. Gov David Dewhurst, Gov. Rick Perry's number two for nearly a decade, and Ted Cruz, a former solicitor general making his first run for office.

Heading into Election Day, the Texas political scene is buzzing over some polls showing Cruz, a tea party favorite, with an advantage over the more widely-known Dewhurst. However, Dewhurst's campaign points to an internal poll that indicates their candidate has a narrow margin over Cruz.

Both campaigns say they feel confident about the early voting turnout, with Cruz's team urging one final push.

"All indications are that our voters are excited and encouraged, but now's not the time to let up. We need every conservative across the state who hasn't voted to show up at the polls tomorrow," said James Bernsen, a spokesman for Cruz.

Dewhurst was the frontrunner-with Cruz not too far behind- heading into the state's May primary, but the lieutenant governor failed to cross the 50% threshold needed to clinch the nomination, forcing the race into a runoff.

And...

Cruz's campaign touts high-profile endorsements, a few of whom recently showed up for the candidate in the Lone Star State. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint, and 2012 GOP presidential contender Rick Santorum all headlined events for Cruz this weekend.

At a Houston rally on Friday, Palin and DeMint especially fired up the crowd with anti-establishment, anti-Washington undertones, similar refrains from those heard during the midterm elections two years ago.

COMMENT:  We'll be watching this one closely.  It is widely expected that if Cruz upsets the establishment Dewhurst he will become an instant national star in the Republican Party. 

Cruz's father is Cuban-American.  He is also a very distinguished lawyer and law professor.

July 31,  2012