U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall, R-Rockwall, picked up the support of WallBuilders founder and prominent conservative David Barton in his runoff contest against John Ratcliffe. Add this statement of support to previous endorsements from the Family Research Council PAC and South Carolina Congressman (and Tea Party favorite) Trey Gowdy. Ratcliffe is being backed by the conservative groups Club for Growth and the Senate Conservatives Fund.

Republican AG candidate Dan Branch picked up endorsements from State Republican Executive Committeewoman and former railroad commissioner candidate Becky Berger as well as House Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee Chairman Tryon Lewis, R-Odessa.

Republican railroad commissioner candidate Wayne Christian has received endorsements from former supporters of Malachi Boyuls, who placed fourth in the first round of voting. The most prominent endorsements came from former Railroad Commissioner Victor Carrillo and former Republican Party of Texas Chairwoman Cathie Adams.

Republican HD-10 candidate John Wray picked up a trio of endorsements this week from the Texas Association of Business, the Texas Alliance for Life as well as former HD-10 rival Duke Burge. Wray faces T.J. Fabby in the May 27 runoff.

State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, will join the Husch Blackwell law firm as a partner. He joins the firm's Energy and Natural Resources team. He also becomes the second member of the Legislature affiliated with the firm, joining state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin.