Ex-Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk wins U.S. Senate nomination

Ron Kirk's gamble, eschewing another run for mayor of Dallas in order to seek a possible senatorial bid, paid off recently when he became the first Black candidate in Texas to be nominated to represent that state in the U.S. Senate.

Kirk defeated challenger Victor Morales in a runoff election. Kirk had 370,063 votes, or 60 percent, and Morales had 250,034 votes, or 40%.

"I feel great, absolutely relieved, and exhausted," Kirk said after he won the Democratic nomination. "This just shows what happens when you spend the time and energy to meet with the people and go back again and understand their issues. And I think Tony Sanchez' endorsement really made a difference."

Sanchez, a Hispanic candidate who won the Democratic nomination for governor, originally refused to back either candidate, but eventually threw his support behind Kirk on the eve of the runoff. Some analysts believe that helped Kirk cut into Morales' support among Hispanics.

"Sanchez just kind of kicked the door open and the flood came in," said Cal Jillson, political science professor at Southern Methodist University. "It does suggest that the Democratic party has gotten its wish. It's got a vibrant team at the top of its ticket who are mutually supportive of each other."

Kirk, a former Texas secretary of state, now faces GOP nominee Texas Attorney General John Cornyn. If Kirk can defeat Cornyn in the fall, he would be only the third Black to serve in the Senate since Reconstruction.

The winner will succeed retiring Republican Phil Gramm. Since Democrats hold a one-seat edge in the Senate, every close race this year is pivotal.