Republican candidates Ted Cruz and David Dewhurst participate in their first televised debate, at a Texas Public Television Station.
The candidates are scheduled for a run-off election on July 31, after neither candidate reached the 50 percent threshold in the May 30 primary.
The battle between the two candidates is being viewed as an example of the larger fight in the Republican party over the past few years between the party establishment, represented by Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst, and the offshoot Tea Party wing, which has supported Mr. Cruz, a former Texas Solicitor General.
The debate was moderated by a panel of journalists from across Texas, and a studio audience of voters were also allowed to participate.