The latest 2012 elections news from The Texas Tribune.
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, running for U.S. Senate, has released his final television ad before the May 29 primary. It features former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee touting Dewhurst as "the only proven conservative in this Senate race." Full Story
Republican state Rep. Bill Zedler, who does not shy away from politically charged issues, faces a primary challenge from Mike Leyman, a school district police chief who calls himself a "reasonable conservative." Full Story
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State Rep. Wayne Christian and Marshall Mayor Chris Paddie are waging an expensive campaign war over HD-9. Both conservatives have big endorsements. But Christian says he's fighting more than his opponent. Full Story
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In his bid for U.S. Senate, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst launched a fresh attack Wednesday on former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert. He also didn't rule out the possibility of ending up in a runoff following Tuesday's primary. Full Story
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Two influential incumbents on the State Board of Education — who are often at odds with each other — are both facing primary challenges that could result in a power shift on the fractious board. Full Story
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In southwest Houston, four Democratic hopefuls are running for the HD-137 seat held for 20 years by Rep. Scott Hochberg. The candidates include two former Capitol staffers, a prosecutor and a school board member. Full Story
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Republicans are expected to win easy victories in several Collin and Denton county legislative races. But that hasn't stopped the candidates from duking it out over who has the most conservative credentials. Here are five races to watch. Full Story
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Only 36 percent of Texans think candidates for office should make anti-tax pledges before the fiscal situation is clear, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll. Forty-seven percent oppose such pledges. Full Story
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State Sen. Mike Jackson is probably headed for a runoff in the new 36th Congressional District in southeast Texas. With 12 candidates in the GOP primary, it's hard to predict the rest. Full Story
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Former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz highlights his Cuban roots and former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert aims for humor in new television ads released Tuesday. Full Story
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State Rep. Marva Beck, R-Centerville, faces a stiff GOP primary challenge in her redrawn East Texas district from Trent Ashby, the president of the school board in Lufkin. Full Story
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A district covering Rockwall County and parts of Collin County is up for grabs. Republican observers expect a close race between former judge Jim Pruitt and Scott Turner, a professional athlete turned businessman. Full Story
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Early voting is under way and candidates have only a few days left before they get the news: In, Out or Runoff. This is the penultimate list for the primaries. Full Story
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State Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, is fighting to defeat cancer and a challenger who is giving the seven-term incumbent the first serious threat of his career. Full Story
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Endorsements stack up, so we've prepared a big spreadsheet to show you who is getting the political support of some prominent interest groups, trade groups and political action committees. Full Story
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The two crowded primary races for the Texas Railroad Commission could be headed for runoffs, as candidates try to win attention from voters who haven't tuned in to those contests. Full Story
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This week: What's up with early voting turnout, the latest Hotlist, and a quick guide to who is getting which endorsements. Full Story
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Houston trial lawyer Steve Mostyn, Texas' largest single contributor to Democrats in 2010, is pouring money into a GOP primary race, targeting state Senate hopeful Larry Taylor. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry is featured in a U.S. Senate campaign ad for Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speaks in an automated phone call for former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz. Full Story
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Congressional District 35 runs from Austin to San Antonio. And as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, that means candidates — including longtime U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett — must weigh the concerns of various constituencies in their bids for the seat. Full Story
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