Enlarge photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera

Gov. Rick Perry speaks at Williamson County Republican dinner in Round Rock, his first public speech since leaving the presidential race.

Your evening reading: Perry convention speech fuels 2014 speculation; mention of Dewhurst draws boos; judge lets Wentworth lawsuit proceed

Enlarge graphic by: Ben Hasson

Yep, we're doing it again — and this time, criminal justice and transportation are on the agenda alongside education, energy, health care and immigration.

Enlarge graphic by: Todd Wiseman

Republicans and Democrats kick off their state conventions today, but the atmosphere surrounding each couldn't be more different.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Gov. Rick Perry speaking at the VFW annual convention in San Antonio on Aug. 29, 2011.

Your evening reading: parties gearing up for state conventions; absent Armendariz takes heat at House hearing; U.S. Senate results broken down by county

Enlarge photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman / Bob Daemmrich / Marjorie Kamys Cotera / Ryan Murphy

We've added personal finance statements for statewide officeholders into our directory of elected officials. This includes disclosures for Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Comptroller Susan Combs and Attorney General Greg Abbott.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

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

Mitt Romney appears poised to reap a major windfall from his visit to Texas this week.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Mitt Romney surrounded by media as he makes a campaign stop at the Family Table Restaurant in Atlantic, Iowa, in January 2012.

Your evening reading: Romney blasts Obama in Fort Worth; rumors over Spanish-language U.S. Senate debate swirling; state agencies ordered to propose cuts

Enlarge graphic by: Todd Wiseman

Hey, Texplainer: Why are the Texas runoffs being held nine weeks — rather than the usual three to six weeks — after the end of the first balloting?

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Candidate Ted Cruz attacks Lt. Governor David Dewhurst in a U.S. Senate candidate debate at the Hilton in Austin on January 12, 2012.

Ted Cruz and David Dewhurst have agreed to debate before the July runoff, but there's an unexpected sticking point: the English language.

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For this week's nonscientific survey of government and political insiders, we asked questions from the most recent University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll on federal health care laws, Texas public schools and anti-tax pledges. 

Enlarge photo by: Michael Stravato / Todd Spoth

Your evening reading: Dewhurst challenges Cruz; Parties prep for political conventions; and one in four Texas children at risk of going hungry.

Enlarge photo illustration by: Todd Spoth / Michael Stravato

As the dust from last week's primary elections settles, it's time for candidates to gear up and buckle down for the business ahead.

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Your evening reading: State Rep. Ken Legler passes away; State backs DNA testing for Skinner; CD 16 primary winner O'Rourke says campaign wasn't about marijuana.

Enlarge photo illustration by: Todd Spoth / Michael Stravato

It's becoming clearer just how vicious — and expensive — this summer's U.S. Senate runoff may get.