Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) emailed supporters Monday morning to aid the effort of former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz (R) to replace retiring Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R).

The solicitation asked for donations to the Cruz campaign and to forward the email because, he wrote, “to succeed, we must rapidly spread the word about this outstanding conservative leader.”

DeMint also gave supporters insight into the calculus Texas Republicans are making on the Senate race.

“We need to hold the current frontrunner — Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst — under 50% and make sure Ted Cruz finishes in first or second place,” he wrote. “This will force a run-off election and give Ted Cruz even more exposure and the benefit of a two-man contest.”

Although this race will be one to watch, it is only now getting off the ground. The primary was pushed back to May 29 because of redistricting litigation.