The latest 2012 elections news from The Texas Tribune.
U.S. Rep. Francisco Canseco, R-San Antonio, says groups supporting Democrat Pete Gallego in that CD-23 race have spent $2.1 million on ads he says are "all false." Canseco says he is promoting energy jobs that Gallego's supporters oppose. Full Story
State Rep. Randy Weber's newest ad in his congressional race against Democrat Nick Lampson is a testimonial from local builder Terry Collins. He talks about Weber's help for a program called Operation Finally Home, which builds homes for wounded and disabled soldiers and their families. Full Story
In a new ad, Mark Shelton's campaign depicts his SD-10 opponent, Fort Worth Sen. Wendy Davis, as a "lifelong tax liberal" who takes money from the pockets of seniors. Cue the vacuums. Full Story
In 2010, Republican John V. Garza defeated David Leibowitz, the incumbent Democrat, in HD-117, a fast-growing section of western Bexar County. Now, Garza’s is at the top of Democrats’ list of seats they would like to take back. Full Story
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State Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, acknowledges he made errors in how his campaign reimbursed him for the use of his personal vehicle. He says he plans to now keep a log of his miles. Full Story
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Groups are pushing to increase Hispanic voter participation across the state, but in South Texas, such efforts must contend with a history of voter fraud and coercion that some say has long plagued the region. Full Story
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In his new spot, Democrat Nick Lampson of Beaumont says his CD-14 opponent, state Rep. Randy Weber, R-Pearland, voted for "tax breaks for companies that send Texas jobs overseas" and says Lampson "protected jobs in Texas" when he was in Congress. Full Story
Defending incumbent U.S. Rep. Francisco "Quico" Canseco, R-San Antonio, the National Republican Congressional Committee is running an ad slamming state Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, for his support from "radical environmentalists in Washington." Full Story
In a new commercial, a rape victim credits state Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, with legislation that put her attacker in jail, and says Davis' challenger, state Rep. Mark Shelton, R-Fort Worth, was one of eight lawmakers who voted against it. Full Story
For this week's nonscientific survey of politics and government insiders, we asked about the debates for president and the U.S. Senate, and about how the presidential election might affect Texas contests now an in the near future. Full Story
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This week in the Newsreel, we look at the two debates held this week and check out Senate committee assignments. Full Story
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After a crushing loss in his bid for U.S. Senate, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst's influence in next year's legislative session remains a question mark. Thursday's committee assignments may reflect efforts to appease some critics. Full Story
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In the latest TV ad promoting Democrat Nick Lampson in his Congressional District 14 race against Republican state Rep. Randy Weber, a port worker disses Washington and praises Lampson for creating jobs. Full Story
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Election Day is about a month away, but the last day to register to vote in Texas is Tuesday. And though Texans still can't register online, there are many other ways to do so. Full Story
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Democrat Paul Sadler is trying to persuade Texans that it's possible for a long shot to win a general election in Texas. Long shots win sometimes — just look at who Sadler is running against. Full Story
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The Texas Weekly Hot List is back, with our best stabs at which races are closest and which ones ought to be on your watch list. Full Story
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The GOP's ever-tightening grip on Anglo voters helps explain why no Democrat won statewide in Texas from 2000 to 2010 even though minorities accounted for 89 percent of the population growth over the same period. Full Story
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With the price of exit surveys on the rise, election pollsters are curbing costs by canceling exit polls in 19 states — and non-swing-state Texas didn't make the cut. Full Story
Democrat Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles, who served three terms in the Texas House, is looking to make a return. She's challenging state Rep. J.M. Lozano, R-Kingsville, who switched from the Democratic Party this year. Full Story
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A lawsuit by four registered voters alleging that the state of Texas was violating their civil rights by purging them from voter rolls has been dropped after the plaintiffs and the state reached an agreement. Full Story
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