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Your evening reading: another volley in international election observers controversy; state executes 250th inmate under Perry's watch; Post editorial compares Abbott to "post-Soviet autocrat"

Enlarge photo by: Ali Durkin, Medill News Service

Less than a week before Election Day, a money mystery in Missouri's U.S. Senate race may lead back to Texas. 

Enlarge photo by: Eddie Seal

Rebecca Rankin, a family nurse practitioner, is the lead clinician at the Planned Parenthood clinic in Edinburg. Rankin has worked with Planned Parenthood for 15 years.

Your evening reading: launch of state-run Women's Health Program delayed; Cruz features father in new TV ad; economy and immigration top list of Texans' concerns in new UT/TT Poll

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

State Rep. John Kuempel, R-Seguin, looks through redistricting maps on display during debate on the House floor on June 14, 2011.

Less than a week before Election Day, the politics of redistricting continue to reverberate in Texas.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, ponders a reporter's question at a press briefing May 30, 2012 at the Texas Capitol.

Your evening reading: Republican calls on Straus to explain redistricting process; Perry to campaign with Pennsylvania Senate candidate; outside group hits Gallego over support from environmentalists

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For this week's nonscientific survey of political and governmental insiders, we asked about the top statewide races on the ballot next month, and some that might be on the ballot in 2014.

Enlarge photo by: Todd Wiseman

Most Texans still aren't optimistic about the future of the country, according to a new University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. But a deep partisan divide underlies the data.

Enlarge graphic by: Todd Wiseman

Your evening reading: state urges "motor voters" to check registration status; A&M System launches accountability site; tracking the early vote in Texas

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Mitt Romney at a rally in Des Moines, Iowa, on Jan. 2, 2012.

Republicans at the top of the ticket in Texas will cruise to double-digit victories next week, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll.

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Your evening reading: debate over debates heats up in CD-23; video captures altercation over Obama yard signs in Lubbock; Davis releases ad accusing Shelton of lying

Enlarge photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott

The showdown between Attorney General Greg Abbott and international election observers hit new dramatic heights on Thursday.