Tea Party activism may have started with national politics in mind, but its themes have filtered down into state and even local races.
As a result, Republican candidates at all levels are rushing to embrace the movement as Tuesday’s primaries approach.
Some have declared themselves “Tea Party approved” on campaign mailings as an overt appeal to Tea Party voters, while others have made state sovereignty a strong part of their message, a more subtle approach.
Tea Party leaders say a strong early-voter turnout in much of North Texas is evidence of their impact.