The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
Here's audio of Evan Smith's Nov. 18 conversation with veteran political reporters Mark Halperin and John Heilemann, whose new book on the 2012 presidential campaign, Double Down, is already a best-seller. Full Story
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Your evening reading: the changing face of Fort Bend County; fears of bigger voter ID headaches to come; noted D.C. political pundit weighs in on Wendy Davis' chances Full Story
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Fort Bend has been called the most ethnically diverse county in America, with a population that comes close to an equal division among blacks, whites, Asians and Latinos. Full Story
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State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte launched her campaign for lite guv with a line of argument sure not to be repeated by her counterparts on the GOP side of the contest. Full Story
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The state's two U.S. senators couldn't be more different — at least on the surface. They've done it in different ways and at different speeds, but both John Cornyn and Ted Cruz are near the center of national politics. Full Story
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Democrats seeking a return to the Texas Governor's Mansion are betting on the suburbs — and, in particular, on the women there. Full Story
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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
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This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: Gov. Rick Perry says the Mexican energy industry may solve America's immigration problems, the LCRA gets a new leader and state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte signals she's running for lieutenant governor. Full Story
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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
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Your evening reading: Texas postpones closure of high-risk health insurance pool; SBOE blocks entry of Arizona-based charter school into state; railroad commissioner candidate rails against proposed textbook Full Story
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Senate Democrats have launched the nuclear option. Now what? Full Story
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Your evening reading: Abbott's privacy rights proposals scrutinized; Senate Democrats launch the nuclear option; Perry says "hell, yeah" to changing presidential debate format Full Story
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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
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Full video of my Nov. 18 conversation with veteran political reporters Mark Halperin and John Heilemann, whose new book on the 2012 presidential campaign, Double Down, is already a best-seller. Full Story
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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
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Houston Mayor Annise Parker will move to extend health and life insurance benefits to same-sex legal spouses of city employees, despite a 2001 city charter amendment that was put to the voters specifically to prohibit the practice. Full Story
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Your evening reading: SBOE discusses math requirements; Fidel Castro doubts lone gunman in JFK assassination; former LBJ right-hand man tells all about the Senate of yesteryear Full Story
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UPDATED: Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst on Wednesday announced another set of interim charges for state lawmakers to study before the 2015 legislative session, this time on issues of emergency preparedness and accident response. Full Story
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In a new web ad, Barry Smitherman, Republican candidate for attorney general and the chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission, highlights his support for the Second Amendment. Full Story
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The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to keep in place for now new restrictions on Texas abortion facilities has thrust the state and the hot-button social issue back into the national spotlight. Full Story
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