Enlarge photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera

Gov. Rick Perry with wife Anita at a Williamson County Republican dinner in Round Rock, his first public appearance since leaving the presidential race.

Your evening reading: Perry appoints chief of staff to Texas Supreme Court; Texas lawmakers standing firm on anti-tax pledge; Florida governor announces $10,000 degree challenge similar to Perry's

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

A coalition of Tea Party groups rally against President Obama on Jan. 16, 2009, at the Texas Capitol.

Three weeks after the election, secession fever hasn't been quieted in Texas.

Enlarge credit: Jacob Villanueva

Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade announcing the launch of the 2010 census in Texas

Weeks after controversy over an attempted dead-voter purge erupted, a major resignation has stirred speculation.

Enlarge

Your evening reading: 14 Texans sign on to congressional letter opposing Rice as secretary of state; Andrade stepping down; protesters call for Medicaid funding

Enlarge

For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in government and politics, we asked about issues important to conservatives and to Hispanics, and about whether Texas Republicans have a good shot at a majority of Hispanic voters in the near future.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Ron Paul speaks at a Tea Party rally at the Texas Capitol on May 6, 2012.

The latest Texas secession talk may be nothing more than political fodder, but at least one of the state's politicians is taking it seriously.