The Evening Brief: Sept. 19, 2013

New in The Texas Tribune

•    Appeals Court Overturns Tom DeLay's Conviction for Money Laundering: "Former U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay’s political money laundering conviction was overturned Thursday by the state’s 3rd Court of Appeals, which said the state's evidence in the case was 'legally insufficient.'"

•    Abortion Foes Criticize Patrick's Past Investment: "Dan Patrick has made his opposition to abortion a centerpiece of his campaign for lieutenant governor. But two prominent abortion opponents are criticizing the Houston senator for once owning stock in the maker of the 'morning after' pill."

•    Watson Responds to Perry's Move to Regulate Insurance Navigators: "In a letter Thursday, state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, says Gov. Rick Perry's move to establish strict rules for so-called health insurance navigators defies the intent of a law legislators passed this year."

•    "I Am Texas Ag," Carnes Says in Campaign Video: "In his first campaign video as a candidate for agriculture commissioner, Uvalde Mayor J Allen Carnes touts his farming roots and the importance of agriculture to the state."

•    TribLive: Patrick on the Abortion Filibuster: "At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Sen. Dan Patrick, Republican of Houston, a candidate for lieutenant governor, criticized David Dewhurst's handling of the 83rd session's now-famous abortion filibuster."

Culled

•    Ted Cruz Punches Back (National Review): "Even among Republicans, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas is one of Washington’s most divisive figures. Activists love him, but leadership staffers and many of his colleagues can’t stand him — especially his latest effort to connect a government-spending bill with the defunding of Obamacare. After a Senate luncheon on Tuesday, several Republicans told me they’re tired of Cruz’s campaign, and one senator, after rolling his eyes, called it a 'Passion play.'"

•    Rep. Roger Williams to head NRCC finance effort (The Dallas Morning News): "Rep. Roger Williams, a top campaign bundler long before his election to Congress last year, is now in charge of fund-raising for the House GOP campaign."