The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
After a relative was arrested for shoplifting in a grocery store, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst personally called a North Texas police department to ask how to get her out of jail, saying she had been incarcerated on a "mistaken charge." Full Story
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Your evening reading: police say Dewhurst asked to get relative out of jail; George P. Bush voices support for defunding Affordable Care Act; amid tension, UT regents convene for annual meeting Full Story
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Your evening reading: Texas officials in talks with Obama administration over money for elderly and disabled; Cruz may have to wait to sever ties to Canada; Hilderbran announces bid for comptroller. Full Story
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Ted Cruz saw his fortunes rise after picking up endorsements from like-minded conservatives in Washington. Now he is a hot commodity himself, as a potential 2016 presidential candidate and a potential kingmaker in other Senate races. Full Story
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State Rep. Harvey Hilderbran is entering the comptroller's race. He's the fourth Republican to enter the race after state Sen. Glenn Hegar, former state Rep. Raul Torres and former gubernatorial candidate Debra Medina. Full Story
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The persistent 2016 buzz surrounding U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz mounted on Monday as debate over his eligibility to run for president took a new twist. Full Story
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U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, born in Calgary in 1970, said Monday he would give up any claim he might have to Canadian citizenship. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Santorum, Hotze endorse in attorney general's race; Cruz releases birth certificate to The Dallas Morning News; Perry to headline California Republican Party convention Full Story
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Greg Abbott's online appreciation for a tweet that called state Sen. Wendy Davis an "idiot" and a "Retard Barbie" highlights the high-risk, high-reward proposition of letting candidates handle their own social media. Full Story
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Rick Santorum is backing state Sen. Ken Paxton's bid for attorney general. In a video endorsement, the former presidential contender said Paxton has a record of standing up to members of his own party "when they wander off the conservative line." Full Story
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The politics of Twitter spilled into the governor's race over the weekend. Full Story
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Lawmakers passed a new set of congressional and legislative maps in their first special session. Redistricting has been a long and contentious process, and it is probably far from over. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Your evening reading: in San Francisco, Davis says she's "very, very seriously" considering gubernatorial bid; Patrick gets creative in attack on Dewhurst; Creighton releases first campaign video in bid for ag commissioner Full Story
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A week after launching his bid for agriculture commissioner, state Rep. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, has released his first campaign video, in which he promises to continue his "stand against the continued overreach of the federal government." Full Story
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Despite some Texas politicians' drumbeat against environmental regulations, the Legislature ordered the state to regulate greenhouse gases this year, with backing from big energy companies. Full Story
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The people who make up the Military Veteran Peer Network have overcome mental illness — or at least learned to manage it — and have made it their mission to show fellow veterans a healthy way out of their mental troubles. Full Story
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About 1,000 Texans work as volunteers for the state-funded Military Veteran Peer Network. The 83rd Legislature recognized their work and is helping the organization grow its ranks. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Your evening reading: federal government awards $10.8 million to help Texans find health coverage; Cruz barnstorming Texas next week; Pauken slams Abbott for opposing airline merger Full Story
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We've updated our Texas Campaign Finance Database with the most recent figures from the Texas Ethics Commission. Use it to find out how much money candidates are raising and spending heading into the 2014 campaign season. Full Story
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The 2014 election season is already in full swing. Here's a completely unofficial — and very preliminary — look at the people who have either thrown their names in the ring or been mentioned as possible contenders. Full Story
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