The Evening Brief: May 24, 2012

New in The Texas Tribune:

• Poll Finds Dewhurst Close to Avoiding Runoff: "Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst may be poised to just barely avoid a runoff in his bid to win the Republican Party’s nomination for U.S. Senate, according to a poll released Thursday. The latest Public Policy Polling automated phone survey of Texas Republican primary voters finds Dewhurst with 46 percent support, followed by former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz at 29 percent. Former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert came in third with 15 percent support followed by former broadcaster and NFL player Craig James at 3 percent."

• Santorum Endorses Cruz, Cites "Wow Factor": "Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum has endorsed former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz for U.S. Senate. Santorum is the latest in a string of high-profile conservatives to announce support for Cruz. In recent weeks, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Lake Jackson, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and conservative TV host Sean Hannity have all urged Texas voters to pick Cruz."

• Dewhurst Relies on Huckabee for Final Pre-Primary Ad: "Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, running for U.S. Senate, has released his final television ad before the May 29 primary. It features former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee touting Dewhurst as 'the only proven conservative in this Senate race.'"

• TribLive: Carona on Perry's "Disrespectful" Pledge: "At this morning's TribLive conversation, state Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, discussed his opposition to Gov. Rick Perry's anti-tax pledge, which he says is "disrespectful" to the "adults" in the Legislature."

• In Valley, Democrats Vie for 2 House Seats as GOP Incumbents Bow Out: "State Rep. Aaron Peña, R-Edinburg, and Rep. Jose Aliseda, R-Beeville, have decided not to seek re-election, leaving six Democrats to run in the May 29 primary for their seats."

• Anderson Draws Two Challengers in HD-56 Race: "Waco's Doc Anderson has two challengers in a classic experience vs. new blood contest that all parties agree is getting only light voter interest."

• New House District Puts Legislator, Mayor in Pitched Battle in East Texas: "State Rep. Wayne Christian and Marshall Mayor Chris Paddie are waging an expensive campaign war over HD-9. Both conservatives have big endorsements. But Christian says he's fighting more than his opponent."

Culled:

• Super PAC targets Eddie Bernice Johnson opponent Taj Clayton (The Dallas Morning News): "Congressional hopeful Taj Clayton is crying foul against questionable allegations that his candidacy is a front for conservative backers after a super PAC with ties to his opponent, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, labeled him 'Tea Party Taj Clayton” in a flier mailed to southern Dallas voters. A former aide to Johnson, D-Dallas, organized the group, Friends United, that paid for the fliers claiming Clayton is 'funded by right-wing extremists, supported by Republicans.'"

• Ron Paul supporters roil Clark County, Nevada, GOP (The Washington Post): "Five top members of the Clark County, Nev., Republican Party have resigned in an apparent dispute with supporters of Rep. Ron Paul."