Texas Republican Senate candidate Ted Cruz speaks to the media, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012, in Houston, a day after defeating Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in a runoff. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan) Courtesy image Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah (The Associated Press) Tea party activist Ted Cruz won the Texas Republican primary Tuesday, July 31, 2012, defeating Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, a wealthy and well-known candidate who has long been considered the heavy favorite to replace retiring Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson.