Enlarge photo by: Michael Stravato

Supporters arrive to the primary watch party of Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst - Houston, Tuesday May 29, 2012.

Your evening reading: Tuesday's biggest surprises; Straus says he's happy with the primary results; how Perry and Combs fared

Enlarge photo by: Michael Stravato

Supporters arriving at Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst's primary watch party in Houston on May 29, 2012.

The big day may be over, but a full slate of runoffs has turned summer into another election season in Texas.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

House Speaker Joe Straus (l), R-San Antonio, adjourns the House of Representatives sine die on June 29, 2011.

Your evening reading: Hughes files to run against Straus for speaker; worker shot outside South Texas polling place; trouble for Obama in Democratic primary?

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For this week's nonscientific survey of political and government insiders, we asked some questions from the latest UT/TT poll about the economy, the state of the state and the country, and the most important problems ahead.

Enlarge photo by: Caleb Bryant Miller

Voting signs in Austin during the 2010 election cycle.

With fanfare in tow or not, the big day has finally arrived.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst at a TribLive event on Nov. 17, 2011, in Austin.

Your evening reading: Dewhurst's attack on Cruz stokes race-based controversy; Dewhurst goes after Leppert in last-minute TV ad; looking back at polling in the U.S. Senate race

Enlarge graphic by: Todd Wiseman / Jim Henson / Ross Ramsey

Before Tuesday's election, here's a look at the last eight months of polling in the Republican race for U.S. Senate.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich / Marjorie Kamys Cotera

U.S. Senate candidates Ted Cruz and David Dewhurst

Ted Cruz and David Dewhurst both got to enjoy brief spells of good news on Thursday — right before the ad wars flared again.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst during the 2009 legislative session.

Your evening reading: Dewhurst close to 50 percent in new poll; Santorum endorses Cruz; Dewhurst features Huckabee in final ad

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, right, at a U.S. Senate candidate debate on Jan. 12, 2012.

Though Ted Cruz still looms, Tom Leppert has moved into David Dewhurst's sights.