Tea Partiers Vie in Key Races

LONGVIEW (AP/Staff) – LONGVIEW (AP/Staff) – Representative David Simpson of Longview admits his job in the Texas Legislature makes his stomach churn. But the tea party favorite says he’s seeking re-election to keep government from becoming all-consuming. Whether tea party supporters can propel their favorites from 2010 to victory again may decide three key Texas House races in the state’s May 29 Republican primary. Simpson is facing the man he beat two years ago, former state Representative Tommy Merritt.

A Southeast Texas race pits tea party darling Representative James White against another incumbent, Representative Mike Hamilton. The two Republicans are squaring off due to redistricting. But some grassroots conservative groups claim Hamilton is too moderate. In West Texas, another 2010 rematch has former state Representative Delwin Jones trying to unseat tea partier Representative Charles Perry of Lubbock.