AUSTIN (AP) - Texas voters may be setting the stage for gridlock when the Legislature meets next year by replacing moderate Republicans with conservatives and Democrats.

No one really questions whether Republicans will lose their supermajority in the Texas House after Tuesday’s election. The only question is by how much. Republicans hope to limit their losses to six seats. Democrats hope to win more than eight.

The make-up of the Republican majority will be more inexperienced and conservative. Tea party groups punished moderate Republicans in the primary and chose newcomers to push a more conservative agenda in 2013.

Democrats gained strength through redistricting. Holding more than a third of the House means that Democrats can slow down the Republican agenda.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has also said he wants a more conservative Senate.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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