Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Gov. Rick Perry campaigns at the Iowa State Fair two days after entering the presidential race.

Your evening reading: Perry to campaign for Romney at Iowa State Fair; San Antonio City Council approves Castro's pre-K initiative; UNT Health Science center may merge with university

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Mitt Romney arrives at a debate site in Hanover, N.H., on Oct. 11, 2011.

A Texas couple's mortgage has added another layer of complexity to Mitt Romney's much-debated business record.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

U.S. Senate candidate Paul Sadler at a TribLive event on March 22, 2012.

Your evening reading: Sadler says campaign has new momentum in wake of Cruz victory; major Republican donor sues Dallas lawyer; firm disputes claims of flaws in state's standardized tests

Enlarge photo by: Gage Skidmore / Ben Philpott

Ted Cruz is already in, but the names of two other prominent Texans are conspicuously missing from the list of Republicans scheduled to speak at the party's national convention.

Enlarge photo by: Todd Wiseman

Your evening reading: more than half of Texas schools fall short of federal standards; state sales tax revenue up again; DeLay case advances

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Ted Cruz speaking at the state Republican convention on June 9, 2012.

Already basking into the national spotlight, Ted Cruz will get an even bigger platform later this month.

Enlarge photo by: Todd Spoth

Ted Cruz at the JW Marriott hotel in Houston on May 29, 2012.

Your evening reading: Cruz, teaming with Romney, says Obama wants to keep poor people "trapped in dependency"; Steinbeck's son jumps into Texas death penalty debate; family physicians group endorses Davis

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For this week's nonscientific survey of political and governmental insiders, we asked about the fallout of the election, what it did to the clout of various leaders, and let the insiders play pundit.

Enlarge photo by: Michael Stravato

Ted Cruz supporters at his election night watch party in Houston on July 31, 2012.

A week later, the forces that helped push Ted Cruz to victory already face another test.

Enlarge photo by: Chris Devers

Your evening reading: Romney campaign highlights support from Cruz; Perry to speak at Iowa conservative summit; state urges judge to stay ruling on voting provisions

Enlarge photo by: Gage Skidmore

Ted Cruz capped off a whirlwind week with his first appearance on Sunday morning political TV.