The Evening Brief: Nov. 20, 2012

Culled:

•   Texas Republicans write letter opposing Susan Rice for Secretary of State (Houston Chronicle): "While rumors swirl in Washington that President Barack Obama will nominate suddenly controversial U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice to replace the widely popular Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, Texas Republicans aren’t keeping quiet. Fourteen Texas Republicans joined 83 other House GOP members in signing a letter to the president warning against the nomination. The letter calls Rice unfit for the job because she publicly stated the terrorist attack on the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi was a protest based on an American video making fun of the Prophet Muhammad."

•   Now thank we all our Medicaid, with heart and hands and voices (The Dallas Morning News): "Supporters of the Texas Medicaid program cheered and shouted 'Thank you, Medicaid' at a Thanksgiving week press event staged one block from the Texas Capitol on Tuesday."

•   Wentworth eyes return to local politics (San Antonio Express-News): "Months after losing his bid for re-election in July's Republican primary runoff, longtime state Sen. Jeff Wentworth appears to be eyeing a local post. Wentworth's name was one of 33 listed for consideration by Bexar County Commissioners Court Tuesday as a possible replacement for retiring Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 Judge Keith Baker."

New in The Texas Tribune:

•   Secretary of State Hope Andrade Resigns: "Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade is resigning effective Friday, her office has confirmed. Andrade has held the post since 2008, when her appointment by Gov. Rick Perry made her Texas' first Latina secretary of state."

•   State-Based Immigration Bills Slowly Trickling In: "Two years ago, Republican legislators pre-filed several immigration-enforcement bills at their earliest opportunity. But weeks after lawmakers were allowed to pre-file bills this year, only a handful have been submitted. But there's still plenty of time for additional legislation to be turned in."

•   Bill Renews Debate Over Rural Access to Abortion: "If a new anti-abortion measure filed by Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, passes in the upcoming legislative session, women in remote corners of the state may have even fewer options to get the procedure."