Christi Craddick, daughter of former House speaker and current state Rep. Tom Craddick, R-Midland, on why she wants to run for the Texas Railroad Commission, whether her dad's politics will get in the way, and why the oil and gas industry needs her as a regulator. 

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who is running for the U.S. Senate, has released a new ad attacking the president and Washington, D.C.

A comeback run, a couple of attempts at higher office, and a slew of challenges mark this week's campaign talk.

Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Attorney General Greg Abbott may well use a court ruling against the abortion sonogram law to their political advantage — to lure anti-abortion voters to the polls, and fuel their fire against so-called “activist” judges.

He hasn't gotten to wear the "front-runner" crown for very long, but Gov. Rick Perry is already discovering that it comes with a price tag: His rivals are starting to unload on him.

Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, says he'll seek another term in 2012. Fun facts from his announcement: "Among his younger-life experience, he worked as a paper boy, TV station copy boy, waiter, dishwasher, library clerk, and taxicab driver."

U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, is quietly exploring a run for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Kay Bailey Hutchison, Republican sources told The Texas Tribune on Tuesday.

The restricted club that is the Texas Senate will be invaded by noisy conservative voters and activists next year if senators have to choose a new leader from their own ranks, reprising the 2011 contretemps over the choice for Speaker of the House.

As expected, state Sen. Mike Jackson, R-La Porte, will run for Congress next year instead of for re-election to the Texas Senate. State Rep. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, may run for his Senate seat.

Reyes reacts to Perry's bid for the White House

Audio: Reyes on Perry

In the latest edition of our unscientific survey of government and political insiders, we asked how the primary and general election races for U.S. Senate will go. And the winner is...

Gov. Rick Perry is running for president. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst is running for U.S. Senate. And it seems like everyone else in Texas politics is making plans based on one or both of those offices opening in 2012. What if they lose?

John Bustamante, the son of former U.S. Rep. Albert Bustamante, D-San Antonio, will run for the Democratic nomination for the CD-23 seat now held by first-term U.S. Rep. Francisco "Quico" Canseco, R-San Antonio.

The retired three-star general on his bid for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, on the challenge of running in a Republican state in a presidential election year and why government policies might be referred to as "the new segregation."

Speaking at a National Conference of State Legislatures summit in San Antonio this morning, Gov. Rick Perry touted Texas job growth and blasted runaway government spending — themes he's sure to stress in his expected presidential campaign.

In an effort to make it easier for military and overseas voters to take part in elections, lawmakers may have killed turnout in primary election runoffs in Texas and increased the electoral power of organized groups like the Tea Party.

Maybe it's the heat. Or redistricting. Or maybe Gov. Rick Perry's political hyperactivity is contagious. Whatever it is, candidates are popping up like it was Labor Day.

This week, with The Response just a few days away, Evan, Ross, Reeve and Ben discuss the upcoming prayer rally and how political races around the state — like the already-underway battle for lieutenant governor — are shaping up.