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  • Data App: How Much Votes Cost

    By Matt Stiles

    Was Farouk Shami, in fact, "on fire"? The Democratic gubernatorial candidate burned through campaign cash, spending $135 for every vote he received in Tuesday's primary on the way to getting trounced by Bill White — more than any other candidate on the ballot, and by far the most of any losing candidate. By contrast, Democratic land commissioner hopeful Bill Burton spent only 2 cents per vote in a narrow loss to Hector Uribe, who spent only 7 cents per vote himself. All told, candidates spent, on average, about $14 per vote. Explore each campaign's bang for the buck in our latest data application. Full Story 

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    Credit: Jacob Villanueva

  • TribBlog: Texas Unemployment Rises

    By Ross Ramsey

    More than 1 million Texans were unemployed in January, according to new numbers from the Texas Workforce Commission. Unemployment in the state hit 8.6 percent in January, up from 8 percent the month before and 6.8 percent in January 2009. The comparable national rate was 10.6 percent. Full Story 

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  • The Brief: March 4, 2010

    By Reeve Hamilton

    U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison’s supporters have had over 24 hours to get through the seven stages of the grieving process. But there’s a little known eighth stage: deciding if they can support the man that defeated her. Full Story 

    Kay Bailey Hutchison concedes 2010 gubernatorial election
    Credit: Bob Daemmrich

  • Surprise!

    By Emily Ramshaw

    Not every race turned out the way political insiders — or the candidates themselves — anticipated. Here are a dozen primary races that defied conventional wisdom, stunned the incumbents and shocked the longshots. Full Story 

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  • Starting Over

    By Ross Ramsey

    The real gift to Gov. Rick Perry on Tuesday wasn't the win over Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Debra Medina in the GOP primary, which was foretold in the polls. It was the quick win. A runoff would have gobbled six weeks and something like $10 million and might have left the winner bruised on the way into a battle with Democrat Bill White, who easily bested six others in his party's primary. So how does November look from here? Full Story 

    BIll White, Rick Perry at their Primary 2010 reception speeches.
    Credit: Callie Richmond, Caleb Bryant MIller

  • The Elefante in the Room

    By Brian Thevenot

    Railroad Commission Chairman Victor Carrillo, a seven-year incumbent with a background in the industry he regulates, got trounced in the GOP primary on Tuesday by an unknown, David Porter, who spent little money on the race. He's not the only one who thinks his Hispanic surname cost him his job. Full Story 

    Victor Carillo, David Porter

  • Carrillo: Hispanic Surname Caused Election Loss

    By Brian Thevenot

    "Early polling showed that the typical GOP primary voter has very little info about the position of Railroad Commissioner, what we do, or who my opponent or I were. Given the choice between “Porter” and “Carrillo” — unfortunately, the Hispanic-surname was a serious setback from which I could never recover." Full Story 

    Railroad Commission Victor Carrillo

  • 2010: Cornyn Wants Kay to Stay

    By Reeve Hamilton

    When U.S. Sen. John Cornyn gets the chance to talk with U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison about last night's GOP gubernatorial primary loss, he will ask her to reconsider her repeated campaign promise to step down. Full Story 

    U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, in the House chamber of the Texas Capitol
    Credit: Caleb Bryant Miller

  • The Brief: March 3, 2010

    By Reeve Hamilton

    It seems like just yesterday — the gubernatorial race was overflowing with three GOP candidates and seven Democrats. But, it’s time to forget that bygone era — now, it’s all about Rick Perry v. Bill White. Full Story 

    Gov. Rick Perry after his primary victory on March 2, 2010.
    Credit: Caleb Bryant Miller