Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

U.S. Senate candidate Craig James at a TribLive event at the Austin Club on Feb. 23, 2012.

Your evening reading: James endorses Dewhurst; Cruz, Dewhurst square off on Fox News; Campbell won't accept money from tort-reform group

Enlarge photo by: Michael Stravato

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst at his primary watch party in Houston on May 29, 2012.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Ted Cruz on Wednesday wasted no time jumping back into the political ring.

Enlarge photo by: Michael Stravato

Supporters arrive to the primary watch party of Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst - Houston, Tuesday May 29, 2012.

Your evening reading: Tuesday's biggest surprises; Straus says he's happy with the primary results; how Perry and Combs fared

Enlarge photo by: Michael Stravato

Supporters arriving at Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst's primary watch party in Houston on May 29, 2012.

The big day may be over, but a full slate of runoffs has turned summer into another election season in Texas.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

House Speaker Joe Straus (l), R-San Antonio, adjourns the House of Representatives sine die on June 29, 2011.

Your evening reading: Hughes files to run against Straus for speaker; worker shot outside South Texas polling place; trouble for Obama in Democratic primary?

Enlarge photo by: Caleb Bryant Miller

Voting signs in Austin during the 2010 election cycle.

With fanfare in tow or not, the big day has finally arrived.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst at a TribLive event on Nov. 17, 2011, in Austin.

Your evening reading: Dewhurst's attack on Cruz stokes race-based controversy; Dewhurst goes after Leppert in last-minute TV ad; looking back at polling in the U.S. Senate race

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich / Marjorie Kamys Cotera

U.S. Senate candidates Ted Cruz and David Dewhurst

Ted Cruz and David Dewhurst both got to enjoy brief spells of good news on Thursday — right before the ad wars flared again.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst during the 2009 legislative session.

Your evening reading: Dewhurst close to 50 percent in new poll; Santorum endorses Cruz; Dewhurst features Huckabee in final ad

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, right, at a U.S. Senate candidate debate on Jan. 12, 2012.

Though Ted Cruz still looms, Tom Leppert has moved into David Dewhurst's sights.

Enlarge photo illustration by: Gage Skidmore / Todd Wiseman

Your evening reading: Perry to tout Romney in call with top donors; Cornyn surprised at closeness of presidential race; Cruz loans campaign $400,000

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Attorney General Greg Abbot on Jan. 31, 2011, speaking about Texas' lawsuit against federal health care reform.

Attorney General Greg Abbott has relented on a major point of contention in the state's voter ID case.

Enlarge photo by: Dan Atrill

Your evening reading: report says Texas could face energy crisis in 10 years; new Leppert ad mocks opponents; ruling casts doubt on future of state's public beaches

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs at a TribLive event at the Austin Club on Oct. 20, 2011.

The dynamics of the 2014 lieutenant governor's race may already be taking shape, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll.

Enlarge credit: Marjorie Cotera

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin at a campaign event for Gov. Rick Perry in 2010.

Your evening reading: Perry, Palin featured in new Senate race ads; Paul racks up delegates at Minnesota convention; study says Texas among top three states in exonerations