Gallego beats former Rep. Rodriguez in Texas Dem runoff

Texas state Rep. Pete Gallego (D) beat former Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (D) in their hotly contested primary runoff, giving Democrats their preferred candidate to take on freshman Rep. Francisco "Quico" Canseco (R) this fall.

Gallego, who had the backing of the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) environmental group in the primary, won with 55 percent of the vote. 

He'd proven a much stronger fundraiser in the campaign, and overcame Rodriguez's high name-identification advantage in the district to win after trailing in the first round of voting in late May by 6 percentage points.

The district broke narrowly for President Obama in 2008, and while it still leans slightly Republican, rapid growth in the Hispanic population in the border district could boost Gallego in the fall.

"Pete Gallego's win in this primary is the worst nightmare for Congressman Canseco and House Republicans. Democrats now have the strongest candidate  — a former prosecutor — to go up against Congressman Canseco in this district that voted for President Obama in 2008," said one Democratic strategist. "The chances of Congressman Canseco coming back to Congress got a lot worse tonight."

The LCV also promised to stay involved in the race during the general election.

"Ciro Rodriguez lost because he is out of step with most Americans on building a clean energy future," said LCV Senior Vice President Navin Nayak. "We look forward to working with Pete Gallego in the months ahead."

The Hill rates this race a "toss-up."