AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The race for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas is pitting two allies and standard-bearers of conservative values against each other.
A television ad hitting media markets around the state Monday features Gov. Rick Perry championing Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst ahead of the Republican primary May 29.
Meanwhile, a robo-call by Perry's friend Sarah Palin endorses tea party darling and former state Solicitor General Ted Cruz.
Dewhurst and Cruz are two of the four major candidates seeking their party's Senate nomination.
In his ad, Perry says of Dewhurst, "don't let anyone tell you different. Our country needs him."
That someone could presumably be Palin. In a recorded message, the former Alaska governor says Cruz, "is a conservative you can trust."
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.