The Midday Brief: November 3, 2009

Your afternoon reading:

• "To clear up some apparent confusion: Hank Gilbert was included on the survey." - The Polling Center: About Democratic results – The Texas Tribune

• "I want to say a couple of things about the UT/Tribune poll. The first is that we are lucky to have it…The second is that I continue to be skeptical about the poll’s methodology." - UT/Texas Tribune Poll: Perry +12; Medina at 7% - BurkaBlog

• "Despite the weightiness of issues, area voters – at least initially – responded with a big ho-hum." - Time to decide: Voters across Houston head to polls – Houston Chronicle

• "Despite the daunting odds, Leppert appears poised to run for the seat if Hutchison indeed resigns to focus solely on campaigning for governor." - Gromer Jeffers: Leppert may try to parlay local wins into Senate victory – The Dallas Morning News

• "A former chief of staff to state Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, takes over the stewardship of the 6th largest county in Texas." - Ramirez sworn in as interim Hidalgo County Judge - Rio Grande Guardian

• "Are prostitutes criminals or victims? Or might the correct answer be 'both'?" - Should prostitutes be protected or prosecuted? – Grits for Breakfast

New in The Texas Tribune:

• "Primary challenges to longstanding incumbents tend to get rough quick." – A brief history of fratricide – The Texas Tribune

• "The fight for the soul of the Texas GOP may be down the ballot in a race for State Board of Education." – Trouble in the big tent – The Texas Tribune