The Brief: Sid Miller says Clinton c-word tweet was sent by staffer

The Big Story

A since-deleted tweet Tuesday from Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller's account appeared to be calling Hillary Clinton the c-word. In the home stretch of the November election, Miller, who sits on Donald Trump's Agricultural Advisory Committee, has emerged as one of Trump’s go-to men in Texas. In a statement to the Tribune Tuesday afternoon, Miller’s office said they were not aware the tweet contained a derogatory term and apologized to those who saw it. Here’s what went down:

•  The original tweet was copy-and-pasted from another user and showed the results of a poll that had Trump earning 44 percent support and Clinton getting 43 percent. However, in place of Clinton's name was the obscenity. The tweet was deleted within 15 minutes of posting it, and Miller's account then tweeted that "@MillerForTexas HAS BEEN HACKED. The disgusting re-tweet has been removed and we have changed all account passwords. Be advised." Miller’s second tweet has since been removed as well.

•  While Miller's staff first told the San Antonio Express-News that his Twitter account had been hacked, the campaign later stated that the tweet had come from a staffer who didn't realize the full extent of what he or she was sharing. Miller's account then tweeted that "the tweet was taken down as soon as possible. Commissioner Miller finds the term vulgar and offensive and apologizes to anyone who may have seen it."

•  Texans across party lines have rebuked Miller for his tweet. In a statement to the Tribune, Gov. Greg Abbott said “the language is reprehensible and is an embarrassment. No true Texas gentleman would ever talk this way." In addition State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer tweeted “Guess Doc put too much #dumbass serum in @MillerForTexas taxpayer subsidized shot - he's imbalanced #txlege @HillaryClinton we got your back.”

•  Miller is one of many Lone Star Republicans who have rallied behind Trump, and in an appearance on Fox News Sunday, Miller dismissed the claim that Texas could turn blue this November. Todd Smith, a spokesman for the agriculture commissioner, told the Tribune Monday that “Sid Miller has become Donald Trump’s biggest cheerleader and champion in the state of Texas. Sid thinks it’s vitally important for not only our nation, but for farmers and ranchers and agricultural producers, to really fight hard this week on behalf of our nominee, and he’s doing that."

Tribune Today

Intense power struggle likely awaits Texans returning to Congress
Whether Republicans in the Texas delegation choose to back Paul Ryan for another term as House Speaker could hold far-reaching consequences.

Analysis: Texas politicians merely echoing the message they’re receiving
Sure, there's a lot of pushing and shoving going on among the state's elected officials, but there's a lot of pushing and shoving going on with Texas voters, too.

Paxton moves closer to trial in criminal fraud case
The Texas attorney general's lawyers recently let an appellate deadline pass and say they are preparing for his trial on three felony counts involving securities transactions in his private business dealings.

Baylor interim president: "The breadth of the problem was staggering"
With a new website and a series of interviews, Baylor University leaders say they are trying to release information and make amends for the sexual assault scandal that has shaken the private Baptist university. 

In Texas House races, vulnerable Republicans bolster financial standing
Endangered Republican lawmakers in Texas have strengthened their financial footing with just over a week until Election Day, according to campaign finance reports released Monday. 

Texas lawmakers mulling addition of paper backups to voting machines
Amid concerns about "rigged" voting machines, both Gov. Greg Abbott and state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst have expressed interest in legislation to add paper trail backups to the state's electronic voting machines.  

What We're Reading

(Links below lead to outside websites; content might be behind paywall)

George P. Bush voted for Trump. His presidential uncle and grandpa? Maybe not, he says, The Dallas Morning News

CPS backlog grows despite extra effort to see at-risk kids, Houston Chronicle 

Baylor official called women who reported sexual assault 'mentally ill,' ex-Title IX coordinator says, The Dallas Morning News

Today in TribTalk

"Medicaid and Obamacare are already failing. Texas should retain its focus on fostering an economic environment that creates a path to self-sufficiency."

— John Colyandro and Tom Aldred, Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute

Trib Events for the Calendar

•   A Symposium on Transportation on Nov. 3 at Texas A&M University - Rudder Tower 

•   A Conversation with U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke on Nov. 4 at The Austin Club 

•   Live Post-Election TribCast on Nov. 9 at The Austin Club 

•   A Conversation with state Reps. Andrew Murr and Jason Isaac on Nov. 14 at Schreiner University in Kerrville

•   A Conversation with Michael K. Young, President of Texas A&M University on Dec. 1 at The Austin Club

•   San Antonio & the Legislature: A Preview of the 85th on Dec. 2 at University of Texas at San Antonio – Downtown Campus