Bitter rivals for Texas' Republican U.S. Senate nomination square off Friday in a debate that could shape their runoff election's final 40 days.
Tea party favorite and former state solicitor general Ted Cruz is a fiery orator and onetime debating champion. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst is the establishment GOP favorite but grew up with a stammer and fears about public speaking.
Friday will be the first of two debates planned before the July 31 runoff -- but more may be coming if both sides agree.
Dewhurst won last month's primary by 10 points but didn't capture an outright majority in a nine-candidate field. His race with Cruz mirrors other campaigns across the country that pit a veteran Republican against a little-known challenger, with both slides claiming to represent conservative values.
