The Monday filing deadline for the GOP party primary election ended up dominated by the last-minute filing by U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman in the Senate primary against incumbent John Cornyn. Filing in the now open CD-36 was extended until Dec. 16, as required by law.

Meanwhile, Texas Democrats earlier in the day touted their own surprise — the announcement that Court of Criminal Appeals Larry Meyers will run for the Texas Supreme Court as a Democrat. That gives the party its first statewide official since 1998.

The three-day removal trial for Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg wrapped up Wednesday. Visiting Judge David Peeples denied the request to remove Lehmberg whose DUI arrest in April had led to multiple attempts to make her leave office.

Texas GOP gubernatorial hopeful Greg Abbott held back from taking a position on private school vouchers or state education funding during a Wednesday appearance at a San Antonio charter school. Education has begun to take center stage in the contest for governor between Abbott and Democrat Wendy Davis.

A sworn ethics complaint against state Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, has been thrown out, his lawyer said. The complaint alleged Carona failed to disclose various companies to the Texas Ethics Commission. Carona called the complaint a "stunt" by his opponent.