What Happens if Dewhurst Doesn't Win Senate Bid? — 2012 Elections

<!DOCTYPE html>     <html class="no-js" lang="en">  <head><script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/bundle-playback.js?v=HxkREWBo" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/wombat.js?v=txqj7nKC" charset="utf-8"></script> <script>window.RufflePlayer=window.RufflePlayer||{};window.RufflePlayer.config={"autoplay":"on","unmuteOverlay":"hidden"};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/ruffle/ruffle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> __wm.init("https://web.archive.org/web"); __wm.wombat("http://www.texastribune.org:80/texas-politics/2012-elections/what-if-dew-dont/?","20120528080801","https://web.archive.org/","web","/_static/", "1338192481"); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/banner-styles.css?v=S1zqJCYt" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/iconochive.css?v=3PDvdIFv" />  <title>What Happens if Dewhurst Doesn't Win Senate Bid? — 2012 Elections | The Texas Tribune</title> <meta name="author" content="The Texas Tribune"/> <meta name="copyright" content="? The Texas Tribune"/> <meta name="language" content="EN"/> <meta name="audience" content="All"/> <meta name="publisher" content="The Texas Tribune"/> <meta name="distribution" content="global"/> <meta name="robots" content="index,follow"/> <meta name="siteinfo" content="http://www.texastribune.org/robots.txt"/> <meta name="google-site-verification" content="2RECdeH7aeA9-RQoGzkfTpP5i_3Qz4rtBIR-CdCtvus"/> <meta name="google-site-verification" content="l934q71D1xHTqT1Do9zhcSQvV22d-0UkA4cEoL0yB9E"/> <meta name="y_key" content="36169ff9ee60f3ab"/> <meta name="msvalidate.01" content="DB22C31255557D1E219990CA92192CBB"/> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801im_/http://static.texastribune.org/common/images/apple-touch-icon.png"/> <meta property="og:site_name" content="The Texas Tribune"/> <meta property="fb:admins" content="201781,817029297,699869688"/> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="154122474650943"/>  <link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/images/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon">  <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801cs_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/COMPRESSED/css/c709981a5017.css" type="text/css"/> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/web/20120528080801cs_/http://www.texastribune.org/common/css/story_base.css"/> <script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801js_/http://partner.googleadservices.com/gampad/google_service.js"></script> <script> try { GS_googleAddAdSenseService("ca-pub-1954117026216857"); GS_googleEnableAllServices(); } catch(e){ } </script> <script> try { GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-1954117026216857", "TexasTribune_Content_TheMostWidget_Bottom_Text_200x38"); GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-1954117026216857", "TexasTribune_Site_Header_ATF_Rectangle_120x60"); GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-1954117026216857", "TexasTribune_Site_Roofline1_ATF_Leaderboard_728x90"); GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-1954117026216857", "TexasTribune_Site_Roofline2_ATF_Leaderboard_728x90"); GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-1954117026216857", "TexasTribune_Site_Roofline3_ATF_Leaderboard_728x90"); GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-1954117026216857", "TexasTribune_Site_Roofline4_ATF_Leaderboard_728x90"); } catch(e) { } try { GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-1954117026216857", "TexasTribune_Content_StoryPage_InsideStory_468x60"); GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-1954117026216857", "TexasTribune_Content_StoryPage_BTF_Footer_Leaderboard_728x90"); GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-1954117026216857", "TexasTribune_Content_StoryPage_Invisible_1x1"); GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-1954117026216857", "TexasTribune_Content_StoryPage_InsideStory2_468x60"); GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-1954117026216857", "TexasTribune_Content_StoryPage_ATF_RightRail1_MediumRectangle_300x250"); GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-1954117026216857", "TexasTribune_Content_StoryPage_ATF_RightRail1_MediumRectangle_300x250"); GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-1954117026216857", "TexasTribune_Content_StoryPage_BTF_RightRail2_MediumRectangle_300x250"); GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-1954117026216857", "TexasTribune_Content_StoryPage_BTF_RightRail3_MediumRectangle_300x250"); GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-1954117026216857", "TexasTribune_Content_StoryPage_BTF_RightRail2_MediumRectangle_300x250"); GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-1954117026216857", "TexasTribune_Content_StoryPage_BTF_RightRail3_MediumRectangle_300x250"); GA_googleAddAttr("content", "story"); GA_googleAddAttr("category", "Politics"); GA_googleAddAttr("ad_filter", ""); GA_googleAddAttr("slug", "what-if-dew-dont"); GA_googleAddAttr("primary_topic", "2012-Elections"); GA_googleAddAttr("is_member", "no"); GA_googleAddAttr("logged_in", "no"); var tt = tt || {}; tt.username = ''; } catch(e) { } </script> <script> try { GA_googleFetchAds(); } catch(e){ } </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20120528080801js_/http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.7.0/jquery.min.js"></script> <script>window.jQuery || document.write('<script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/vendor/jquery/jquery-1.7.0.min.js">\x3C/script>')</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20120528080801js_/http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jqueryui/1.8.18/jquery-ui.min.js"></script> <script>window.jQuery.ui || document.write('<script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/vendor/jqueryui/jquery-ui-1.8.18.min.js">\x3C/script>')</script> <script type="text/javascript">$('html').removeClass('no-js');</script> <meta name="description" content="A lot of people are rooting for David Dewhurst in the race for U.S. Senate &mdash; some because it would create a top political job opening in Texas. What if he loses? It would spoil a lot of ambitions.&nbsp;"/> <meta name="keywords" content="Texas Politics, 2012 Elections"/> <meta property="og:title" content="What If the Dew Don't?, by Ross Ramsey"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:url" content="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/what-if-dew-dont/"/> <meta property="og:description" content="A lot of people are rooting for David Dewhurst in the race for U.S. Senate &mdash; some because it would create a top political job opening in Texas. What if he loses? It would spoil a lot of ambitions.&nbsp;"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-Dewhurst-088_jpg_407x1000_q100.jpg"/> <script type="text/javascript"> var tt = tt || {}; tt.currentPage = tt.currentPage || {}; var shortenedHash = 'KBW5Ou'; var absoluteUrl = '/texas\u002Dpolitics/2012\u002Delections/what\u002Dif\u002Ddew\u002Ddont/'; var authorTwitterAccounts = ['']; tt.currentPage.authors = [ "Ross Ramsey" ]; tt.currentPage.authorsText = "Ross Ramsey"; tt.currentPage.sections = [ "article" ]; tt.currentPage.sections.push("2012 Elections"); </script> </head> <body class=" story">  <script type="text/javascript">var _sf_startpt=(new Date()).getTime()</script>  <script type="text/javascript"> var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-9827490-1']); _gaq.push(['_setCustomVar', 5, 'LoggedIn', 'False', 2]); _gaq.push(['_setCustomVar', 1, 'ContentType', 'story', 3]); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/https://ssl' : 'https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(ga); })(); </script> <section id="site_roofline" style="position:relative;"> <div class="ad">  <script type="text/javascript"> try { GA_googleFillSlot("TexasTribune_Site_Roofline1_ATF_Leaderboard_728x90"); } catch(e){ } </script> </div> <div class="ad">  <script type="text/javascript"> try { GA_googleFillSlot("TexasTribune_Site_Roofline2_ATF_Leaderboard_728x90"); } catch(e){ } </script> </div> <div class="ad">  <script type="text/javascript"> try { GA_googleFillSlot("TexasTribune_Site_Roofline3_ATF_Leaderboard_728x90"); } catch(e){ } </script> </div> <div class="ad last">  <script type="text/javascript"> try { GA_googleFillSlot("TexasTribune_Site_Roofline4_ATF_Leaderboard_728x90"); } catch(e){ } </script> </div> <noscript></noscript> </section> <section id="greeting"> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/accounts/register/" title="Register for your free Texas Tribune account">Register</a> </li> <li class="last"> <a id="site_login_link" href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/accounts/login/?next=">Login</a> <script> href = $("#site_login_link").attr('href') + document.location.pathname; $("#site_login_link").attr('href', href); </script> </li> </ul> </section> <nav id="site_navigation"> <ul class="primary"> <li id="site_search"> <form method="get" action="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/search/"> <label for="site_search_q">Enter Search</label> <input id="site_search_q" name="q" type="text" value="" placeholder="Search..."> <input type="image" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/images/spacer.gif" alt="Do Search"> </form> </li> <li class="active"><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/">Front Page</a></li> <li> <a class="topics" href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/topics/" title="Topics"> Topics </a> <li> <a class="data" href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/" title="Data"> Data </a> </li> <li> <a class="blogs" href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/blogs/" title="Blogs"> Blogs </a> </li> <li><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/" title="Directory">Directory</a></li> <li> <a class="multimedia" href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/multimedia/" title="Multimedia"> Multimedia </a> </li> <li><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/events/" title="Events">Events</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-weekly/" title="Texas Weekly">Texas Weekly</a></li> <li><a id="qrank_menu" href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/qrank/" title="QRANK: The Texas Tribune Edition">QRANK</a></li> </ul> <ul class="secondary box_span"> <li class="super-topics-nav-health-reform-and-texas"><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-health-resources/health-reform-and-texas/">Health Reform</a></li> <li class="super-topics-nav-public-education"><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-education/public-education/">Public Ed</a></li> <li class="super-topics-nav-higher-education"><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-education/higher-education/">Higher Ed</a></li> <li class="super-topics-nav-redistricting"><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-redistricting/redistricting/">Redistricting</a></li> <li class="super-topics-nav-energy"><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-energy/energy/">Energy</a></li> <li class="super-topics-nav-water-supply"><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-environmental-news/water-supply/">Water</a></li> <li class="super-topics-nav-death-penalty"><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-dept-criminal-justice/death-penalty/">Death Penalty</a></li> <li class="super-topics-nav-immigration"><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/immigration-in-texas/immigration/">Immigration</a></li> <li class="super-topics-nav-census"><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-counties-and-demographics/census/">Census</a></li> <li class="super-topics-nav-2012-elections"><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/">2012 Primary Races</a></li> </ul> </nav> <header id="site_header"> <div class="ad last">  <script type="text/javascript"> try { GA_googleFillSlot("TexasTribune_Site_Header_ATF_Rectangle_120x60"); } catch(e){ } </script> </div> <h1 id="logo"><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/images/logo.png" width="453" height="50" alt="The Texas Tribune"></a></h1> <time datetime="2012-05-28T03:08:01.119884">Monday, May 28, 2012</time> </header> <section id="site_content" class="content"> <section class="columns two"> <section class="column main line"> <ol class="breadcrumbs clearfix"> <li><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/">Politics</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/">2012 Elections</a></li> </ol> <article> <header> <h1>What Happens if Dewhurst Doesn't Win Senate Bid? </h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/" class="author">Ross Ramsey</a><li><time datetime="2012-05-25T06:00:00"> May 25, 2012 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/what-if-dew-dont/comments/" title="">5 Comments</a></li></ul> </header> <aside> <ul class="social_links clearfix"> <li> <a target="_blank" href="print/" class="print">Print</a> </li> <li> <a class="republish" href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/content/republish/40441/?iframe">Republish</a> </li> <li class="share "> <a href="#" class="share">Share</a> <ul class="share" style="display: none;"> <li> <a class="facebook" onclick="return track_link(['Share', 'Facebook', 'what\u002Dif\u002Ddew\u002Ddont'])(this);" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/what-if-dew-dont/">Facebook</a> </li> <li> <a class="twitter" onclick="return track_link(['Share', 'Twitter', 'what\u002Dif\u002Ddew\u002Ddont'])(this);" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://twitter.com/share?text=What Happens if Dewhurst Doesn't Win Senate Bid? &url=http://trib.it/KBW5Ou&via=TexasTribune&related=TexasTribune,TribData">Tweet</a> </li> <li> <a class="reddit" onclick="return track_link(['Share', 'Reddit', 'what\u002Dif\u002Ddew\u002Ddont'])(this);" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.reddit.com/submit?url=http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/what-if-dew-dont/&title=What Happens if Dewhurst Doesn't Win Senate Bid? | The Texas Tribune">Reddit</a> </li> <li> <a class="stumble" onclick="return track_link(['Share', 'StumpleUpon', 'what\u002Dif\u002Ddew\u002Ddont'])(this);" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/what-if-dew-dont/&title=What Happens if Dewhurst Doesn't Win Senate Bid? | The Texas Tribune">Stumble</a> </li> <li> <a class="digg" onclick="return track_link(['Share', 'Digg', 'what\u002Dif\u002Ddew\u002Ddont'])(this);" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://digg.com/submit?url=http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/what-if-dew-dont/&title=What Happens if Dewhurst Doesn't Win Senate Bid? | The Texas Tribune&media=NEWS&thumbnails=1">Digg</a> </li> <li> <a class="buzz" onclick="return track_link(['Share', 'GoogleBuzz', 'what\u002Dif\u002Ddew\u002Ddont'])(this);" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.google.com/buzz/post?message=What Happens if Dewhurst Doesn't Win Senate Bid? | The Texas Tribune&url=http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/what-if-dew-dont/&imageurl=http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-Dewhurst-088_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg">Buzz</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/what-if-dew-dont/comments/" title="" class="comment">Comment</a> </li> <li> <a onclick="return track_link(['Content', 'Email', 'what\u002Dif\u002Ddew\u002Ddont'])(this);" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/mailto:/?subject=The Texas Tribune: What%20If%20the%20Dew%20Don%27t%3F&body=I read an article that you might be interested in at The Texas Tribune.%0A%0AWhat%20If%20the%20Dew%20Don%27t%3F%0Aby Ross Ramsey | 5/25/12%0Ahttp://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/what-if-dew-dont/%0A%0AA%20lot%20of%20people%20are%20rooting%20for%20David%20Dewhurst%20in%20the%20race%20for%20U.S.%20Senate%20%26mdash%3B%20some%20because%20it%20would%20create%20a%20top%20political%20job%20opening%20in%20Texas.%20What%20if%20he%20loses%3F%20It%20would%20spoil%20a%20lot%20of%20ambitions.%26nbsp%3B" title="" class="email">Email</a> </li> <li> <a class="twitter" onclick="return track_link(['Share', 'Twitter', 'what\u002Dif\u002Ddew\u002Ddont'])(this);" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://twitter.com/share?text=What Happens if Dewhurst Doesn't Win Senate Bid? &url=http://trib.it/KBW5Ou&via=TexasTribune&related=TexasTribune,TribData">Tweet</a> </li> <li> <a class="facebook" onclick="return track_link(['Share', 'Facebook', 'what\u002Dif\u002Ddew\u002Ddont'])(this);" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/what-if-dew-dont/">Recommend</a> </li> </ul> </aside> <div class="content"><div class="media article_detail unprose"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-Dewhurst-088_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in his office at Falcon Seaboard in Houston Wednesday, April 25, 2012." class="lightbox"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-Dewhurst-088_jpg_312x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in his office at Falcon Seaboard in Houston Wednesday, April 25, 2012." width="312"></a><div class="photo_links"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-Dewhurst-088_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in his office at Falcon Seaboard in Houston Wednesday, April 25, 2012." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a><cite>photo by: Michael Stravato</cite></div><div class="photo_caption">Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in his office at Falcon Seaboard in Houston Wednesday, April 25, 2012.</div></div><p>Lt. Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/david-dewhurst/">David Dewhurst</a> is carrying a lot of political hopes and dreams on his shoulders in his U.S. Senate campaign.</p><p>It’s not what you might think. People are lined up for his job when he moves on. People are lined up for those people’s jobs when they move on.</p><p>His departure for Washington would clear a space on a political escalator that has been more or less stationary for the last decade. The Republicans at the top — from the U.S. Senate down to the land office — hung up the “closed” sign years ago. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/kay-bailey-hutchison/">Kay Bailey Hutchison</a>’s decision not to seek another term opened a spot. Dewhurst’s grab for that could open his spot. Three statewide officials openly covet his place. Hopefuls are lined up for their jobs.</p><p>What if he doesn’t go anywhere? What if Tuesday’s primary throws Dewhurst — the front-runner, the establishment candidate, practically the incumbent — into a runoff?</p><p>The runoff is on July 31, an electoral no-fly zone. That’s a time in Texas when people able to leave for vacation are gone, when the heat turns green suburban lawns into crunchy brown squares, when voting is the last thing on anyone’s mind.</p><section class="ad_container sidebar_block"><p>The Tribune thanks our Supporting Sponsors</p><div class="sponsor_image_holder"><script type="text/javascript"> try { GA_googleFillSlot("TexasTribune_Content_StoryPage_InsideStory_468x60"); } catch(e){ } </script></div></section><p>Who would show up for that, besides the dedicated and often very ideological activists in the two parties, and those scattered citizens who vote habitually, no matter what? Is that the electorate that will put establishment candidates on the November ballot?</p><p>Dewhurst has dined for months on the conventional wisdom that his money, his reputation and tenure in the party, and his experience running statewide elections, would easily carry him to victory — despite a field of nine Republicans in the primary, at least two of whom pose moderate threats to the guy in front.</p><p>Now, even his campaign quietly concedes that a runoff is possible. And a runoff for a guy like this can only mean trouble. It’s a dent in the fender. A roach in the kitchen. A scratch on the screen.</p><p>A sign of vulnerability.</p><p>Think of it. It would give the second-place finisher — in this case, that’s probably going to be former Solicitor General <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/ted-cruz/">Ted Cruz</a> or former Mayor <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/tom-leppert/">Tom Leppert</a> of Dallas — a couple of months to raise money and campaign as an alternative to the status quo candidate. Dewhurst, so confident in the primary that he has run a Rose Garden campaign, limiting his exposure to debates and forums that would put him on stage with the pack, would be in a defensive position in the runoff.</p><p>That would be worrisome for others, too. They are counting on the lieutenant governor to clear that spot on the escalator.</p><p>If Dewhurst remains in his current job, Comptroller <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/susan-combs/">Susan Combs</a>, Land Commissioner <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/jerry-patterson/">Jerry Patterson</a> and Agriculture Commissioner <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/todd-staples/">Todd Staples</a> would have to shut down their talk of running for his job in 2014. Texas senators, who would elect one of their own to replace him for the remainder of his term, would have to bury their plans and ambitions about presiding over the next session.</p><p>And what of Dewhurst’s own plans? If he’s not in the Senate, does he jump into the next governor’s race? Austin’s speculation about the governor is about that same stalled and crowded political escalator. Will Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/rick-perry/">Rick Perry</a> seek another term in 2014? He said he’s thinking about it. Would he run for president in 2016, assuming there’s not a Republican in the way? He hasn’t ruled it out.</p><p>Will the governor’s job be open? Wherever you find a question mark like that, you’ll find a political calculation. Attorney General <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a> has his eye on the next race for governor. He’s no rival to Perry, but he hopes to follow him. Abbott has got $12 million in the bank — this is a guy without his name on the ballot right now, with no declared aspirations — and he appears to be comfortably aligned with Republican voters.</p><p>And this is important: He won’t have to run against the personally wealthy lieutenant governor, assuming Dewhurst is safely entrenched in Washington.</p><p>Unless, of course, Dewhurst fritters away what looked at one point like a sure thing — both for him and for everyone else on that escalator.</p><section class="ad_container sidebar_block"><p>The Tribune thanks our Supporting Sponsors</p><div class="sponsor_image_holder"><script type="text/javascript"> try { GA_googleFillSlot("TexasTribune_Content_StoryPage_InsideStory2_468x60"); } catch(e){ } </script></div></section><p class="disclosure"> Texas Tribune donors or members may be quoted or mentioned in our stories, or may be the subject of them. For a complete list of contributors, click <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/support-us/donors-and-members/">here</a>. </p> </div><aside><ul class="social_links clear clearfix"><li><a target="_blank" href="print/" class="print">Print</a></li><li><a class="republish" href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/content/republish/40441/?iframe">Republish</a></li><li class="share "><a href="#" class="share">Share</a><ul class="share" style="display: none;"><li><a class="facebook" onclick="return track_link(['Share', 'Facebook', 'what\u002Dif\u002Ddew\u002Ddont'])(this);" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/what-if-dew-dont/">Facebook</a></li><li><a class="twitter" onclick="return track_link(['Share', 'Twitter', 'what\u002Dif\u002Ddew\u002Ddont'])(this);" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://twitter.com/share?text=What Happens if Dewhurst Doesn't Win Senate Bid? &url=http://trib.it/KBW5Ou&via=TexasTribune&related=TexasTribune,TribData">Tweet</a></li><li><a class="reddit" onclick="return track_link(['Share', 'Reddit', 'what\u002Dif\u002Ddew\u002Ddont'])(this);" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.reddit.com/submit?url=http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/what-if-dew-dont/&title=What Happens if Dewhurst Doesn't Win Senate Bid? | The Texas Tribune">Reddit</a></li><li><a class="stumble" onclick="return track_link(['Share', 'StumpleUpon', 'what\u002Dif\u002Ddew\u002Ddont'])(this);" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/what-if-dew-dont/&title=What Happens if Dewhurst Doesn't Win Senate Bid? | The Texas Tribune">Stumble</a></li><li><a class="digg" onclick="return track_link(['Share', 'Digg', 'what\u002Dif\u002Ddew\u002Ddont'])(this);" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://digg.com/submit?url=http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/what-if-dew-dont/&title=What Happens if Dewhurst Doesn't Win Senate Bid? | The Texas Tribune&media=NEWS&thumbnails=1">Digg</a></li><li><a class="buzz" onclick="return track_link(['Share', 'GoogleBuzz', 'what\u002Dif\u002Ddew\u002Ddont'])(this);" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.google.com/buzz/post?message=What Happens if Dewhurst Doesn't Win Senate Bid? | The Texas Tribune&url=http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/what-if-dew-dont/&imageurl=http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-Dewhurst-088_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg">Buzz</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/what-if-dew-dont/comments/" title="" class="comment">Comment</a></li><li><a onclick="return track_link(['Content', 'Email', 'what\u002Dif\u002Ddew\u002Ddont'])(this);" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/mailto:/?subject=The Texas Tribune: What%20If%20the%20Dew%20Don%27t%3F&body=I read an article that you might be interested in at The Texas Tribune.%0A%0AWhat%20If%20the%20Dew%20Don%27t%3F%0Aby Ross Ramsey | 5/25/12%0Ahttp://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/what-if-dew-dont/%0A%0AA%20lot%20of%20people%20are%20rooting%20for%20David%20Dewhurst%20in%20the%20race%20for%20U.S.%20Senate%20%26mdash%3B%20some%20because%20it%20would%20create%20a%20top%20political%20job%20opening%20in%20Texas.%20What%20if%20he%20loses%3F%20It%20would%20spoil%20a%20lot%20of%20ambitions.%26nbsp%3B" title="" class="email">Email</a></li><li><a class="twitter" onclick="return track_link(['Share', 'Twitter', 'what\u002Dif\u002Ddew\u002Ddont'])(this);" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://twitter.com/share?text=What Happens if Dewhurst Doesn't Win Senate Bid? &url=http://trib.it/KBW5Ou&via=TexasTribune&related=TexasTribune,TribData">Tweet</a></li><li><a class="facebook" onclick="return track_link(['Share', 'Facebook', 'what\u002Dif\u002Ddew\u002Ddont'])(this);" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/what-if-dew-dont/">Recommend</a></li></ul></aside><footer class="clearfix"><div class="column gap"><aside class="sidebar_block related content_list"><header><h2>Related Content</h2></header><dl><dt><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/taking-credit-campaign-trail/">Cruz Takes Extra Credit on Campaign Trail</a></dt><dd><ul class="meta separate"><li class="byline"> by <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/" class="author">Ross Ramsey</a><li><time datetime="2012-01-16T05:00:00"> 1/16/2012 </time></li><li class="icon comments"><a class="comments comments_short" href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/taking-credit-campaign-trail/comments/" title="">(9)</a></li></ul></dd><dt><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/struggling-against-soundbites/">Forgo the Soundbite? A Noble but Risky Strategy</a></dt><dd><ul class="meta separate"><li class="byline"> by <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/" class="author">Ross Ramsey</a><li><time datetime="2011-09-12T05:00:00"> 9/12/2011 </time></li><li class="icon comments"><a class="comments comments_short" href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/struggling-against-soundbites/comments/" title="">(3)</a></li></ul></dd></dl></aside></div><div class="column"><aside class="sidebar_block related"><header><h2>Related Topics</h2></header><ul class="related topics indent sans-serif"><li><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/">2012 Elections</a></li><li><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-people/david-dewhurst/">David Dewhurst</a></li><li><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-senate/texas-senate/">Texas Senate</a></li><li><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-representatives-in-congress/us-congress/">U.S. Congress</a></li></ul></aside></div></footer> </article> <nav class="back_to_top"> <a class="back_to_top float_left" href="#">Back To Top</a> </nav> </section> <section class="column"> <section class="trib_newsletter"> <form id="form-subscribe" class="rounded-tight sans-serif" method="get" action="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/accounts/register/"> <header> <h2>Sign up for Texas Tribune alerts</h2> </header> <p>Get daily coverage delivered to your inbox</p> <div class="nowrap"> <input class="input_email" type="email" name="email" placeholder="Enter Your Email"> <input class="btn_neue" type="submit" value="Submit"> </div> </form> </section> <div class="sidebar_block"> <aside class="fb"><fb:like show_faces="false" width="300" action="recommend"></fb:like></aside> </div> <section class="ad_container sidebar_block"> <p>The Tribune thanks our Supporting Sponsors</p> <div class="sponsor_image_holder"> <div class="ad last">  <script type="text/javascript"> try { GA_googleFillSlot("TexasTribune_Content_StoryPage_ATF_RightRail1_MediumRectangle_300x250"); } catch(e){ } </script> </div> </div> </section> <section class="sidebar_block content_list"> <header> <h1>New on the Trib</h1> </header> <dl> <dt><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-education/higher-education/hcc-helps-deliver-qatars-first-community-college-g/">HCC Helps Deliver Qatar's First Community College Grads</a></dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separate"><li class="byline"> by <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reeve-hamilton/" class="author">Reeve Hamilton</a><li><time datetime="2012-05-27T06:00:00"> 5/27/2012 </time></li><li class="icon comments"><a class="comments comments_short" href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-education/higher-education/hcc-helps-deliver-qatars-first-community-college-g/comments/" title="">(5)</a></li></ul> </dd> <dt><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-congressional-election/dewhursts-amnesty-attack-cruz-stirs-controversy/">Updated: Dewhurst's "Amnesty" Attack on Cruz Stirs Controversy</a></dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separate"><li class="byline"> by <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/" class="author">Aman Batheja</a><li><time datetime="2012-05-26T16:38:29"> 5/26/2012 </time></li><li class="icon comments"><a class="comments comments_short" href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-congressional-election/dewhursts-amnesty-attack-cruz-stirs-controversy/comments/" title="">(13)</a></li></ul> </dd> <dt><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-local-news/tribweek/tribweek-top-texas-news-week-52112/">TribWeek: Top Texas News for the Week of 5/21/12</a></dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separate"><li class="byline"> by <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/" class="author">Ross Ramsey</a><li><time datetime="2012-05-26T06:00:00"> 5/26/2012 </time></li><li class="icon comments"></li></ul> </dd> <dt><a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/west-texas-tuesday-may-be-just-first-round/">In West Texas, Tuesday May Just Be the First Round</a></dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separate"><li class="byline"> by <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/" class="author">Ross Ramsey</a><li><time datetime="2012-05-25T18:12:12"> 5/25/2012 </time></li><li class="icon comments"><a class="comments comments_short" href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/west-texas-tuesday-may-be-just-first-round/comments/" title="">(1)</a></li></ul> </dd> </dl> </section> <section class="ad_container sidebar_block"> <div class="sponsor_image_holder"> <div class="ad last">  <script type="text/javascript"> try { GA_googleFillSlot("TexasTribune_Content_StoryPage_BTF_RightRail2_MediumRectangle_300x250"); } catch(e){ } </script> </div> </div> </section> <aside id="the_most" class="feature"> <header> <h1>The Most</h1> </header> <div class="content tabs ui-tabs"> <ul class="ui-tabs-nav"> <li class="most_shared"> <a href="#most_shared">Shared</a> </li> <li class="most_viewed"> <a href="#most_viewed">Viewed</a> </li> <li class="most_commented"> <a href="#most_commented">Commented</a> </li> </ul> <div id="most_shared" class="ui-tabs-panel"> <div class="fb_like_box"> <fb:recommendations site="texastribune.org" data-action="like" width="300" height="260" header="false" border_color="#fff"></fb:recommendations> </div> </div> <div id="most_viewed" class="ui-tabs-panel ui-tabs-hide"> <ol> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/government-employee-salaries/" title="">Government Employee Salaries</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/texas-prisons/" title="">Texas Prison Inmates</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-congressional-election/dewhursts-amnesty-attack-cruz-stirs-controversy/" title="">Updated: Dewhurst's "Amnesty" Attack on Cruz Stirs Controversy</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/government-employee-salaries/agencies/" title="">Agencies</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-education/higher-education/tech-and-uh-qualify-tier-one-prize-money/" title="">Tech and U. of Houston Qualify for Tier-One Prize Money</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/west-texas-tuesday-may-be-just-first-round/" title="">In West Texas, Tuesday May Just Be the First Round</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/eight-months-us-senate-race/" title="">Eight Months of the U.S. Senate Race</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/" title="">Topic: 2012 Elections</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/texas-senate-candidates-2012/" title="">U.S. Senate Candidates 2012</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/what-if-dew-dont/" title="">What Happens if Dewhurst Doesn't Win Senate Bid?</a> </li> </ol> </div> <div id="most_commented" class="ui-tabs-panel ui-tabs-hide"> <ol> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-congressional-election/dewhursts-amnesty-attack-cruz-stirs-controversy/" title="">Updated: Dewhurst's "Amnesty" Attack on Cruz Stirs Controversy</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/what-if-dew-dont/" title="">What If the Dew Don't?</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-education/higher-education/hcc-helps-deliver-qatars-first-community-college-g/" title="">HCC Helps Qatar Fill Community College Gap</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-legislative-election/anderson-draws-two-challengers-hd-56-race/" title="">Anderson Draws Two Challengers in HD-56 Race</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-news-media/triblive/triblive-carona-on-perrys-disrespectful-pledge/" title="">TribLive: Carona on Perry's "Disrespectful" Pledge</a> </li> </ol> </div> </div> <footer class="clearfix"> <div class="ad last">  <script type="text/javascript"> try { GA_googleFillSlot("TexasTribune_Content_TheMostWidget_Bottom_Text_200x38"); } catch(e){ } </script> </div> <ul class="actions simple"> </ul> </footer> </aside> <section class="ad_container sidebar_block"> <div class="sponsor_image_holder"> <div class="ad last">  <script type="text/javascript"> try { GA_googleFillSlot("TexasTribune_Content_StoryPage_BTF_RightRail3_MediumRectangle_300x250"); } catch(e){ } </script> </div> </div> </section> </section> </section> </section> <footer id="site_footer"> <div class="ad_container clearfix"> <div class="message"> <div class="endcap"></div> We thank<br/>our sponsors </div> <div class="ad last">  <script type="text/javascript"> try { GA_googleFillSlot("TexasTribune_Content_StoryPage_BTF_Footer_Leaderboard_728x90"); } catch(e){ } </script> </div> </div> <div id="footer" class="auto_height clearfix"> <dl id="staff_writers"> <dt>Writers</dt> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/becca-aaronson/" class="author">Becca Aaronson</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/julian-aguilar/" class="author">Juli谩n Aguilar</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/" class="author">Aman Batheja</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/justin-dehn/" class="author">Justin Dehn</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/kate-galbraith/" class="author">Kate Galbraith</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/brandi-grissom/" class="author">Brandi Grissom</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reeve-hamilton/" class="author">Reeve Hamilton</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ayan-mittra/" class="author">Ayan Mittra</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-murphy/" class="author">Ryan Murphy</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/david-muto/" class="author">David Muto</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ben-philpott/" class="author">Ben Philpott</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/" class="author">Ross Ramsey</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/emily-ramshaw/" class="author">Emily Ramshaw</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jay-root/" class="author">Jay Root</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/evan-smith/" class="author">Evan Smith</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/" class="author">Morgan Smith</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/thanh-tan/" class="author">Thanh Tan</a> </dd> </dl> <div id="footer_topics"> <h6>Topics</h6> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-taxes/2011-budget-shortfall/" title="">2011 Budget Shortfall</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-taxes/rainy-day-fund/" title="">Rainy Day Fund</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-mexico-border-news/texas-mexico-border/" title="">Texas-Mexico border</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-legislature/2011-housesenate-transcripts/" title="">82nd Session Transcripts</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-representatives-in-congress/tom-delay/" title="">Tom DeLay</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-energy/wind-energy/" title="">Wind Energy</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-public-records/texas-government-payroll/" title="">Texas Government Payroll</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/immigration-in-texas/immigration/" title="">Immigration</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-house-of-representatives/2011-house-speakers-race/" title="">2011 House Speaker's Race</a> </li> </ul> <ul class="last"> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-legislature/texas-legislature/" title="">Texas Legislature</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-state-agencies/texas-ethics-commission/" title="">Texas Ethics Commission</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-education/higher-education/" title="">Higher education</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-environmental-news/environmental-problems-and-policies/" title="">Environmental Problems and Pol…</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-redistricting/redistricting/" title="">Redistricting</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-transportation/texas-department-of-transportation/" title="">Texas Department of Transporta…</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-dept-criminal-justice/death-penalty/" title="">Death Penalty</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/voter-id/" title="">Voter ID</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-education/social-studies-standards-debate/" title="">Social Studies Standards Debat…</a> </li> </ul> </div> <dl id="offsite_outlets"> <dt>TT Social Media</dt> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://facebook.com/texastribune" title="Facebook" class="external"><span class="favicon facebook"></span>Facebook</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://twitter.com/texastribune" title="Twitter" class="external"><span class="favicon twitter"></span>Twitter</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://youtube.com/user/thetexastribune" title="YouTube" class="external"><span class="favicon youtube"></span>YouTube</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://vimeo.com/thetexastribune" title="Vimeo" class="external"><span class="favicon vimeo"></span>Vimeo</a> </dd> </dl> <ul id="footer_nav"> <li>© 2012 The Texas Tribune</li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/terms-of-service/" title="Terms of Service">Terms of Service</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/privacy/" title="Privacy Policy">Privacy Policy</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/about/" title="About Us">About Us</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/contact/" title="Contact Us">Contact Us</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/feeds/" title="Mobile">Feeds</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/mobile/" title="Mobile">Mobile</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://static.texastribune.org/media-kit/TheTexasTribune-MediaKit-Oct11.pdf" title="Advertise" class="advertise">Advertise</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20120528080801/http://www.texastribune.org/support-us/" title="Donate" class="donate">Donate</a> </li> </ul> </div> </footer> <div class="ad last">  <script type="text/javascript"> try { GA_googleFillSlot("TexasTribune_Content_StoryPage_Invisible_1x1"); } catch(e){ } </script> </div> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801js_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/COMPRESSED/js/33367ededf3a.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/web/20120528080801js_/http://www.texastribune.org/common/js/story_base.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801js_/http://bit.ly/javascript-api.js?version=latest&login=texastribune&apiKey=R_6f6057d6b4eb2cded750a1bfde821d16"></script>  <script type="text/javascript"> _qoptions={ qacct:"p-f74d4O38hiiiM" }; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801js_/http://edge.quantserve.com/quant.js"></script> <noscript> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801im_/http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-f74d4O38hiiiM.gif" style="display: none;" border="0" height="1" width="1" alt="Quantcast"/> </noscript>  <script type="text/javascript"> var _sf_async_config={}; /** CONFIGURATION START **/ _sf_async_config.uid = 14324; _sf_async_config.domain = 'texastribune.org'; if (window.tt && tt.currentPage) { if (tt.currentPage.sections) { _sf_async_config.sections = tt.currentPage.sections.join(','); } if (tt.currentPage.authors) { _sf_async_config.authors = tt.currentPage.authors.join(','); } else if (tt.currentPage.authorsText) { _sf_async_config.authors = tt.currentPage.authorsText; } } /** CONFIGURATION END **/ (function(){ function loadChartbeat() { window._sf_endpt=(new Date()).getTime(); var e = document.createElement('script'); e.setAttribute('language', 'javascript'); e.setAttribute('type', 'text/javascript'); e.setAttribute('src', (('https:' == document.location.protocol) ? 'https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/https://a248.e.akamai.net/chartbeat.download.akamai.com/102508/' : 'https://web.archive.org/web/20120528080801/http://static.chartbeat.com/') + 'js/chartbeat.js'); document.body.appendChild(e); } var oldonload = window.onload; window.onload = (typeof window.onload != 'function') ? loadChartbeat : function() { oldonload(); loadChartbeat(); }; })(); </script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

What Happens if Dewhurst Doesn't Win Senate Bid? — 2012 Elections | The Texas Tribune