Dewhurst reflects after losing lieutenant gov race

After losing in a GOP runoff, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst says he is comforted knowing that Texas “is a better place than when we found it.”

Dewhurst was defeated in Tuesday’s runoff for the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor by Houston Sen. Dan Patrick, a fiery conservative talk radio host and founder of the Legislature’s tea party caucus.

The loss likely ends the political career of Dewhurst, one of the most powerful figures in Texas for more than a decade.

An emotional Dewhurst thanked a group of about 100 supporters Tuesday evening in Houston and said he planned to support Patrick in the fall election.

Critics had accused Dewhurst of becoming too entrenched and moderate after 11 years in office.

Dewhurst told reporters that he plans to devote time to his energy company.

says he’ll campaign for votes in Democratic strongholds as he battles Democrat Leticia Van de Putte (PYOOT) in November’s election.

Patrick said his campaign will venture into Hispanic and African American neighborhoods in search of conservative support and contest Democrats for votes.

His comments to supporters in Houston came shortly after Dewhurst, the incumbent whom Patrick had just defeated, called to concede the race Tuesday night and pledge his active support in the general election campaign.

Patrick gave thanks to Dewhurst, with whom he had just concluded a bitter campaign, and gave thanks to tea party activists for their grassroots support. He said that if Democrats had hoped for his nomination, they got their wish and, in Patrick’s words, “I’m coming.”

The firebrand conservative radio talk show host helped to found the Legislature’s tea party caucus.