The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
Republican Chart Westcott on Wednesday launched his campaign to replace state Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, in House District 108. In the video announcement, Westcott touts his conservative platform and bashes Congress and the Obama administration. Full Story
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In the second TV ad of his campaign for lieutenant governor, state Sen. Dan Patrick promises to cut property taxes for all Texans and eliminate tax increases for senior citizens. Full Story
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A tame 2014 down-ballot race picked up a little star power on Tuesday. Full Story
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Ted Nugent has agreed to be the treasurer and co-chairman of former state Rep. Sid Miller's campaign for agriculture commissioner, the musician said Tuesday night, promising to "raise as much hell" as he can in the campaign. Full Story
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Move over, Texas Trial Lawyers Association. There's a new group in town: the Texas Association of Consumer Lawyers. Democratic mega-donor Steve Mostyn says he formed the group because he wants more cash to go straight into campaign coffers. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Pitts testifies in Regent Hall investigation; Stefani Carter drops Railroad Commission bid for run at re-election; blowback over Combs' endorsement of Hegar for comptroller Full Story
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UPDATED: Records requests that University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall filed with the University of Texas at Austin were the subject of hours of testimony Tuesday afternoon during a legislative committee hearing. Full Story
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In a new web ad, Republican Attorney General candidate Dan Branch highlights a bill he sponsored in 2003 requiring that students in Texas public schools be allowed to observe a moment of silent prayer or meditation. Full Story
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State Rep. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, announced on Monday that he will run for the state Senate seat being vacated by Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands. Full Story
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Job creation during Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst's tenure is the emphasis of a web video, featuring a Texas-shaped cake, that was released Monday by his re-election campaign. Full Story
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Things are different now. People come to see Greg Abbott and Wendy Davis, for sure, but not as spectacles, not for the same reasons they came to see the candidates who came to be known as Ann and Claytie. Full Story
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Just weeks before a new rail bridge connecting Texas and Mexico is set to open, controversy surrounding an X-ray machine for the bridge has unfolded and could delay the opening. Full Story
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Texas' abortion wars may flare anew this week as the state's contentious new restrictions head to court. Full Story
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In a new television ad produced by the Water Texas PAC, baseball hall of famer Nolan Ryan advocates for Proposition 6, a water financing measure on the November ballot. Full Story
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This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: The federal government shutdown comes to an end, Gov. Rick Perry racks up sky miles with a trip to Israel and London, and a resignation in the state Senate starts a political land rush. Full Story
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Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott said Friday that U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz made good on his campaign promises with his controversial actions in the federal government shutdown. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Combs endorses Hegar for comptroller; key conservative group backs Patrick for lieutenant governor; Merritt to run for agriculture commissioner Full Story
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Texans for Fiscal Responsibility announced on Friday that it would back GOP state Sen. Dan Patrick in the race for lieutenant governor because of his record "of advocating for practical, reform-minded policies supported by Texans." Full Story
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At the end of a week of shakeups in the race for agriculture commissioner, former state Rep. Tommy Merritt announced he will join the race for the Republican nomination. Full Story
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Undaunted by his failed effort to defund Obamacare, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has already picked another fight with the White House. Full Story
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