Another Debate in GOP Lieutenant Governor’s Race

HOUSTON (AP) — An influential Houston tea party group is a hosting a debate between four Republican lieutenant governor candidates locked in the state's most competitive primary.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst on Monday is scheduled to again face off against his three challengers: Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson and state Sen. Dan Patrick.

All four are ideologically indistinguishable Republicans. But they'll likely continue attacking each other's conservative credentials at the debate hosted by the King Street Patriots.

Dewhurst has been lieutenant governor since 2002 but wants one last term. His challengers accuse the Senate leader of making a celebrity of Democrat Wendy Davis last year by letting her embark on a nearly 13-hour filibuster over new abortion restrictions. Davis is now running for governor.

The primary is March 4.

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