The Evening Brief: May 17, 2012

New in The Texas Tribune:

• Wentworth Files Defamation Suit Against Jones: "Incumbent state Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, has filed suit against challenger Elizabeth Ames Jones, a former railroad commissioner, alleging libel and slander."

• On the Records: Texas One of Five "Minority-Majority" States: "According to demographic data released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau, 55.2 percent of Texas' 2011 population was of a race other than non-Hispanic white, making it one of five "minority-majority" states in the nation."

• U.S. Rep. Barton on Primary: "My Real Opponent is Me": "Congressman Joe Barton isn’t expecting too much trouble in his re-election bid. But the longtime incumbent has three opponents in the Republican primary, and political observers say it could be a tougher-than-usual race."

• Pitted in GOP Primary, Lawmakers Fight Over Conservative Cred: "The Republican primary race in the newly drawn HD-19 between state Reps. James White and Mike Hamilton has the markings of a battle-by-proxy between state leaders who represent different factions of the Republican Party. And it has drawn considerable interest from deep pockets across the state."

• With the Rio Grande Dry, El Paso Turns to Water Alternatives: "The Rio Grande, which supplied 39 percent of El Paso's water last year, is dry near the city — a situation that has not occurred for nearly 10 years. El Paso is pumping more groundwater and cranking up its desalination plant."

• Mexican Company's Bankruptcy Case Has Cross-Border Impact: "A bankruptcy case pending in a Dallas courtroom has analysts waiting to see if the outcome could affect how U.S.- based companies do business in Mexico."

Culled:

• Ron Paul looks for new donations with ‘Stand for Liberty money bomb’ (Houston Chronicle): "There’s no better way to show a campaign is still up and running than to refuel with some campaign cash. Today, the Ron Paul presidential campaign is holding a 'Stand for Liberty money bomb.' In just a few hours, the Paul campaign has already raised more than $225,000 from supporters across the country, who still want to see the Texas Congressman in the White House — or at least at the Republican National Convention."

• Has Cruz told you? 'Dewhurst LIES,' according to Cruz's new ad (The Dallas Morning News): "For strategic reasons, GOP Senate insurgent Ted Cruz's campaign won't discuss a new 60-second video ad that opponents captured after it was posted to YouTube Thursday morning. 'We're not saying on those ads right now,' said Cruz spokesman James Bernsen, when I asked him if it was being aired on either cable or broadcast TV. It may just be an internet ad."