Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Rick Santorum at Valley High School in Clive, Iowa on Iowa caucus day January 3, 2012.

Your evening reading: Santorum supporters pushing to make Texas primary winner-take-all; cost of redistricting legal battle for state approaching $1 million; Paul begins California campaign push

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Mitt Romney at a campaign rally at Competitive Edge Manufacturing in Des Moines, Iowa, on Jan. 2, 2012.

His opponents may be preparing to campaign harder in Texas, but Mitt Romney appears to be winning the state's endorsement race.

Enlarge photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman

Your evening reading: Texas schools net hefty Mega Millions payday; Wal-Mart heiress disputes report that she endorsed Craig James; Texas cities join brief criticizing Arizona immigration law

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Rick Santorum and his wife, Karen, enter Valley High School in Des Moines for a speech the day of the Iowa caucuses, Jan. 3, 2012.

The Texas primary is still eight weeks away, but that hasn't stopped Rick Santorum and Ron Paul from trying to scoop up delegates here.

Enlarge photo by: Caleb Bryant Miller

Michael Quinn Sullivan

Your evening reading: Republican state representatives file ethics complaint against Michael Quinn Sullivan; Combs touts survey showing Texas businesses skeptical of health care reform; Jackson Lee drafting neighborhood-watch bill

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For this week's nonscientific survey of the state's political and government insiders, we asked about their current assessment of the presidential race, federal health care, prosecutor accountability, and whether the governor could wind up on the national ticket.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Gov. Rick Perry at a rally on the morning of the Jan. 3, 2012, Iowa caucuses.

Rick Perry the presidential candidate has re-emerged — in a new book making some controversial claims about his behavior on the campaign trail.

Enlarge photo by: Pool

Gov. Rick Perry at the Republican presidential debate at Dartmouth College on Oct. 11, 2011.

Your evening reading: Perry spokesman slams book claiming governor used painkillers to get through debates; anti-incumbent Super PAC targeting Joe Barton, Ralph Hall; prospect of further primary delays likely dashed

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It's no April Fool's joke: Our first quarter stats on site traffic and fundraising are significantly ahead of this time last year — and augur extremely well for a robust and record-breaking 2012.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Mitt Romney at a presidential debate at Dartmouth College on Oct. 11, 2011.

If Texas Republicans want to hold a presidential debate, they may have to do so without the race's front-runner.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

The set at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. on Oct. 10, 2011, the night before Rick Perry's fourth Republican presidential debate.

Your evening reading: Texas Republican Party proposes presidential debate; Perry's campaign security costs still mounting; Justice Department targeting lawmakers' communications over voter ID

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This week's issue of the premium newsletter includes several new features intended to amp up the exclusivity and spin the public policy and politics news forward a few extra rotations. You. Must. Subscribe.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Gov. Rick Perry walking down Adams Street in Creston, Iowa, with Department of Public Safety trooper Chris Brannen after speaking at a presidential campaign event on Dec. 27, 2011.

Texas officials' focus on Washington and health care reform moved a thousand miles west on Thursday — to Nebraska and "pink slime."