2014 elections

Most Candidates Won't Release Tax Returns

By Ryan Murphy and Alexa Ura Dec. 5, 2013

Nearly four-fifths of the candidates currently vying for statewide office either did not respond to a Texas Tribune request to release their tax returns or declined to provide them. Full Story
Opiela Touts Record Fighting for Rural Communities

By Neena Satija, The Texas Tribune and Reveal Dec. 4, 2013

In a new video ad, agriculture commissioner candidate Eric Opiela highlights an episode in his hometown of Karnes City. Full Story
Hot Seat: A Conversation With Campbell and Isaac

By Evan Smith Dec. 4, 2013

At our 12/3 Hot Seat conversation at Texas State University, state Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, and state Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, talked about water, transportation, public education and other issues in play in the 83rd session. Full Story
Guest Column: Anglo Women the Key for Texas Democrats

By Mark P. Jones Dec. 4, 2013

Democrat Wendy Davis' chances in the race for governor of Texas hinge on her ability to attract votes from Anglo women — like Ann Richards did more than 20 years ago. Full Story

Credit: Tommy LaVergne of Rice University
Davis Sees Rise in Income From Private Law Practice

By Jay Root Dec. 4, 2013

Democrat Wendy Davis only makes $7,200 a year in salary as a state senator, but her take-home pay more than doubled between 2010 and 2012 thanks to steadily rising income from her private law practice, tax records show. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
New Dewhurst Web Ad Urges Voters To "Keep Texas No. 1"

By Morgan Smith Dec. 3, 2013

The David Dewhurst campaign offers a civics lesson on the Texas Legislature and the responsibilities of the lieutenant governor — while showcasing the incumbent's conservative record in office — in a new web ad. Full Story
Branch Focuses on Voter ID Fight in New Web Ad

By Reeve Hamilton Dec. 3, 2013

In a new web video, attorney general candidate Dan Branch focuses on protecting the state's elections laws, concluding with a pledge to "stop Obama's Department of Justice from overturning our Texas voter ID law." Full Story
Hurd Releases New Ad in CD-23 Race

By Emily Ramshaw Dec. 3, 2013

Will Hurd, a San Antonio native and former CIA operations officer who's running in the GOP primary for CD-23, has released a new web video featuring the old SUV he calls "Shirley Marie." Full Story
Abbott Setting Sights on Education Policy Debate

By Morgan Smith and Jay Root Dec. 3, 2013

Greg Abbott will launch a series of education policy roundtables Tuesday in Plano, debuting what his campaign said would be a "major issue" for the campaign of the leading Republican candidate for governor. Full Story

Credit: Mark Graham
Branch Files Brief Defending Abortion Restrictions

By Reeve Hamilton Dec. 2, 2013

State Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, who is vying to be the state’s next attorney general, filed an amicus brief on Friday encouraging the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to affirm abortion restrictions approved by the Legislature. Full Story

Credit: Michael Stravato
Texas GOP Gets a Hand From D.C. Democrats

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 2, 2013

Some Texas Republicans would like to change a rule that allows Democrats to block bills favored by the majority of the state Senate. They have a new ally, at least on the idea: Democrats in the U.S. Senate. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Race for Attorney General Slowly Taking Shape

By Reeve Hamilton Dec. 1, 2013

With less than three months before early voting starts in the primary, the race to succeed Attorney General Greg Abbott is still up in the air as the candidates vie for the public's attention in a crowded Republican field. Full Story

Credit: C. Richmond / M. Stravato / D. Kramer
Democrat David Alameel Will Run for Cornyn's Senate Seat

By Alexa Ura Nov. 29, 2013

Democratic dental center mogul David Alameel, who spent millions on a losing campaign for Congress in 2012, told the Tribune on Friday that he'll run for the U.S. Senate seat held by John Cornyn in 2014. Full Story

Credit: Allison V. Smith
In First Ad, Rival Hits Carona as "Career Politician"

By Evan Smith Nov. 29, 2013

In the first ad of his campaign to unseat state Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, businessman Donald Huffines slams the 22-year incumbent for being a "career politician." Full Story
Democrats Hope the Third Time is Charming

By Ross Ramsey Nov. 29, 2013

For the third time in a row, Texas Democrats are staking their hopes for a win in the lieutenant governor's race on a Latina, betting this time that the political environment will favor San Antonio's Leticia Van de Putte. Full Story

Credit: Jennifer Whitney
Brandenburg and Lyle: The TT Interview

By Ross Ramsey Nov. 27, 2013

Two experts in campaign finance and its effects on how judges decide cases say the money has a measurable effect and that some changes in law can help. Full Story
Video: Van de Putte Announces Run for Lieutenant Governor

By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha Nov. 23, 2013

Texas voters will see two women at the top of the Democratic ticket in the 2014 election. State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte made her run for lieutenant governor official Saturday in San Antonio. Full Story

Credit: Jennifer Whitney
Van de Putte Joins Race for Lieutenant Governor

By Morgan Smith Nov. 23, 2013

Long rumored to be a contender, state Sen. Leticia Van De Putte has now made it official: She is running for lieutenant governor. Full Story

Credit: Janis Daemmrich
Dewhurst Attacks Obama on Health Reform in New Ad

By Emily Ramshaw Nov. 21, 2013

In a new video ad, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who is in a four-way primary race to keep his seat, attacks President Obama and his signature health care law, saying, "I can’t think of one thing I agree with him on." Full Story
The Polling Center: Women Through the Looking Glass

By Jim Henson and Joshua Blank Nov. 21, 2013

As a group, women have neither followed the March Hare to the Tea Party nor signed up for Wendy Davis’ trip to Wonderland, leaving the campaigns to ponder their place on the electoral chessboard. Full Story

Credit: Callie Richmond