Enlarge photo by: Eric Kayne

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst on July 31, 2012, in Houston addressing the crowd at a watch party following the announcement that he lost the U.S. Senate runoff to Ted Cruz.

Your evening reading: after loss, Dewhurst says he'll do things "different"; federal government announces details on deportation deferrals; state's high school graduation rate hits record high

Enlarge photo illustration by: Gage Skidmore / Todd Wiseman

Hoping to recover from a week of political stumbles overseas, Mitt Romney got a little help on Thursday from Rick Perry.

Enlarge photo by: Ariel Min

Vote sign outside of Pan AM Recreation Center in Austin, TX on July 31, 2012.

Your evening reading: state says two counties that skipped runoffs violated election code; Rubio "excited" about comparisons to Cruz; re-examining the FLDS Eldorado raid

Enlarge photo by: Michael Stravato

Ted Cruz supporters at his election night watch party in Houston on July 31, 2012.

With the fervor over Ted Cruz's primary victory starting to settle, talk has turned to what to expect from him in Washington.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Adviser Jason Johnson (right) helped former Solicitor General Ted Cruz rise from underdog to champion in the 2012 Republican U.S. Senate primary.

Your evening reading: deciphering Cruz's victory; Sadler nabs a sliver of the spotlight; Chick-fil-A "appreciation day" draws crowds in Texas

Enlarge photo by: Michael Stravato

Republican Senate candidate Ted Cruz greets supporters outside a polling station in Houston, Tuesday, July 31, 2012.

A stunner of an end to a months-long electoral slog has turned Ted Cruz into Texas' newest political celebrity.

Enlarge photo by: Michael Stravato

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst met voters on July 31, 2012, in a Houston deli on the day of the GOP primary runoff. Dewhurst lost the U.S. Senate primary runoff to Ted Cruz.

Your evening reading: Dewhurst camp denies placing calls to confuse Cruz voters; Castro selected to deliver keynote at Democratic National Convention; how Cruz mastered social media

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In the wake of the movie theater killings in Aurora, Colorado, we asked the insiders what the legislative response — if any — ought to be.

Enlarge photo by: Todd Wiseman

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst at a campaign stop outside a Chick-fil-A restaurant in Austin on July 30, 2012.

A race that months ago appeared decided may instead end today with an upset sure to propel Texas into the the national spotlight.

Enlarge photo by: Todd Wiseman

Your evening reading: Dewhurst brushes off polling favoring Cruz; former state senator to take helm of state's health agency; Cornyn gibes USDA over "Meatless Mondays"

Enlarge photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman / Bob Daemmrich

All those campaign ads weren't cheap. The Republican race to replace U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison has drawn more than $45 million in spending. Outside groups contributed heavily to the final tally.

Enlarge photo by: Todd Spoth

U.S. Senate candidate Ted Cruz with his daughter at the JW Marriott hotel in Houston on May 29, 2012.

If the polls, and headlines, are to be believed, Tuesday's runoff looks like Ted Cruz's to lose.