Cruz vs. Dewhurst top today's runoff ballot

By Anna M. Tinsley

atinsley@star-telegram.com

Some of Texas' most expensive and fiercely fought primary runoff elections end today.

Texans head back to the polls today for the fourth time in three months to once and for all settle several high-profile, big-dollar races left undecided in the May 29 primary election for both the Republican and Democratic parties.

At the top of the ballot is the contentious battle for Texas' first open U.S. Senate seat in a decade, which pits Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst against former Solicitor General Ted Cruz for the Republicans and former state Rep. Paul Sadler against former educator Grady Yarbrough for the Democrats, followed by races for the U.S. House, state Railroad Commission, legislature, judicial and local posts.

"I want to thank all the voters who took time out of their busy summer schedules to vote early in the primary runoff elections," Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade said. "And I encourage Texas voters who did not cast a ballot during early voting to vote so you can make your mark on Texas."

Polls are open today from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and the weather shouldn't stand in the way - unless the heat keeps some voters from leaving home.

Today's forecast calls for no chances of rain and a high temperature of about 105, said Steve Fano, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Fort Worth.

Anyone who didn't vote in the May 29 primary may vote in either party's runoff election. Anyone who voted in the Republican primary may vote in the Republican runoff; anyone who voted in the Democratic primary may vote in the Democratic runoff.

Other heated races near the top of the ballot include the Democratic battle for the newly drawn 33rd Congressional District, where state Rep. Marc Veasey of Fort Worth and former state Rep. Domingo Garcia square off, and the GOP fight for the revamped 25th Congressional District that pits longtime Weatherford car dealer Roger Williams against Gatesville Tea Party activist Wes Riddle.

Politicians seeking Texans' support barnstormed across the state Monday, hoping to sway undecided voters.

As Veasey held an election day eve news conference in Grand Prairie, announcing that he has picked up support from former 33rd Congressional District candidate David Alameel of Dallas, Garcia held a Whistle Stop Tour from Fort Worth to Dallas that included rallies and block walking.

In Arlington, FreedomWorks for America manned a "Get out the Vote" effort at the Sheraton Hotel to keep promoting Cruz. Meanwhile Dewhurst made stops in Austin and San Antonio before meeting up with Gov. Rick Perry, former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert and former GOP Senate candidate Craig James at a Dallas call center.

More than 300,000 Texans - 242,795 Republicans and 90,519 Democrats - have weighed in on the election, voting early in person or through mail-in ballots. That includes more than 45,000 Tarrant County residents, 34,837 Republicans and 11,011 Democrats.

"I think this will be one of our better, if not best, turnouts for a primary runoff election," Tarrant County Elections Administrator Steve Raborn said.

Election officials encourage voters to double-check their polling places, because they may have changed since the May 29 election, before heading out to vote. They also remind voters to bring with them a voter registration card or alternate ID -- a driver's license or other ID that shows a photo and establishes an identity, birth certificates, passport or current utility bill -- to cast a ballot.

Find your polling place.

Anna M. Tinsley, 817-390-7610

Twitter: @annatinsley

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