2 Democrats Face Runoff in Bid for Senate Nomination in Texas
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WASHINGTON — A runoff will be held April 9 between a Latino and an African American seeking the Democratic nomination in Texas for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Phil Gramm.
The winner will join a ticket featuring the first Latino nominated for governor in Texas by a major party.
Laredo oilman and banker Tony Sanchez, armed with a personal fortune of $600 million, easily won Tuesday’s primary over former state Atty. Gen. Dan Morales, and will challenge Gov. Rick Perry, a Republican. Perry was the lieutenant governor who became governor when George W. Bush became president.
In the Senate race, schoolteacher Victor Morales, who lost to Gramm in 1996, and Ron Kirk, an African American who is a former mayor of Dallas, each polled about 33% of the vote, falling short of the more than 50% needed to win. U.S. Rep. Ken Bentsen, nephew of former Sen. Lloyd Bentsen (D-Texas), ran third with 27%.
The runoff winner will face Texas Atty. Gen. John Cornyn, a Republican.
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