[Paine in the Neck]

Overall I’m a bit disappointed but not dejected. Cornyn escaped but the rest of the ballot wasn’t too bad. Dewhurst is in trouble, the Cruz judicial slate won, the rest of the statewide runoffs offer decent choices. I’m aggravated that Geo Pee coasted into his first political job.

Joe Straus kept his seat but maybe is losing his grip on the Speakership. Several of his House supporters retired and four others - Ratliff, Brown, Gooden and Patrick - got thrown out. Maybe that scares enough of the rest that they will quake in fear of the voter rather than of Straus and we can replace him.

I’m pretty happy with my county and local results.

All in all not bad as elections go. On to the next fight.

[Night Hides Not]

Nice synopsis. I was happy to see Rinaldi beat Ratliff, who survived Ratliff's machinations in redrawing the lines.

You made a great point in pointing out the "Cruz judicial slate". As we've seen recently, there are more battles coming on social issues, and conservative judges are needed. For example, a judge can't just toss aside the Texas Constitution when DOMA remains "The Law of the Land."