Past Contributions

• Wallace Jefferson on Why We Shouldn't Elect Judges

  By Evan Smith Dec. 9, 2009

  The Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court on the trouble with asking voters — and donors — to decide who sits on the bench. Full Story 

• Wallace Jefferson on That Exxon Case

  By Evan Smith Dec. 8, 2009

  The Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court on the not-quite-settled case that has everyone talking: Exxon v. Emerald, or, as you might prefer to think of it (we do), the biggest oil and gas company on earth vs. one of the state's most mythic ranching families. Full Story 

• Video: On Being a Black Republican

  By Evan Smith Dec. 7, 2009

  Wallace Jefferson, the chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court, on what race has to do with politics, why he's a member of the GOP, and whether the party has been sufficiently hospitable to African Americans. Full Story 

• On Being a Black Republican

  By Evan Smith Dec. 7, 2009

  Wallace Jefferson, the chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court, on what race has to do with politics, why he's a member of his party, and whether the GOP has been sufficiently hospitable to African Americans. Full Story 

• 2010: Dan Patrick Staying Put, Endorsing Combs

  By Evan Smith Dec. 4, 2009

  Forget what I said on this week's TribCast, parroting the chatter around the Capitol: The state senator from Houston is not considering a primary challenge to his fellow Republican, Comptroller of Public Accounts Susan Combs. Full Story 

• 2010: Is it Safe?

  By Evan Smith Dec. 3, 2009

  How many Texas congressional seats are competitive enough to merit a mention? Three, according to sayer of sooth Charlie Cook. Full Story 

• 2010: The Times Mag on Rick vs. Kay

  By Evan Smith Dec. 2, 2009

  Robert Draper's long-awaited piece on the Republican primary is sure to be the talk of our little world. Full Story 

• T-Squared: Poll Position

  By Evan Smith Dec. 2, 2009

  The collaboration of the big five newspapers on polling in the 2010 election cycle is good news for Texas. Full Story 

• T-Squared: The Month of Living Dangerously

  By Evan Smith Dec. 1, 2009

  Four weeks into this thing, we're well beyond where we thought we'd be. And we're just getting started. Full Story 

• TribWeek: In Case You Missed It

  By Evan Smith Nov. 28, 2009

  Ramsey and others on Bill White and the changing state of the race for governor; Thevenot's two-parter on what Dallas churches are doing to combat social ills and racial division; Ramshaw on the use of force by school district police departments (and why parents don't know about it); Grissom's two-parter, abetted by Stiles, on unregulated payday lenders; Aguilar on Mexican immigrants who play against type; and Rapoport on those missing extra checks for retired public employees. The best of the best from November 21 to 25, 2009. Full Story