Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign dispatched Congressman Joaquín Castro, D-San Antonio, to stump for the Democratic frontrunner this weekend in Iowa.
Castro headlined four campaign events Sunday in Iowa City, Marshalltown and Des Moines. At each stop, he emphasized Clinton’s “call to strengthen our families and communities by passing long-overdue comprehensive immigration reform,” according to guidance sent late last week by Clinton’s team to reporters.
Meanwhile, rumors continued to swirl around Castro’s twin brother, U.S. Housing Secretary Julian Castro, who is rumored to be on Clinton’s shortlist for potential running mates. Appearing last week on CNN, Julián Castro downplayed the veep speculation, calling it “flattering” but saying he is focused on his current job.
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Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker headed to the Lone Star State to raise cash midweek for his presidential bid.
The GOP presidential candidate, who is struggling in the shadow of Donald Trump, attended a fundraiser in San Antonio on Tuesday, according to an invitation obtained by the Texas Tribune.
Gil Hine, Stacy & Aimee Locke, Mackie McCrea and Scott O’Brien were listed as hosts for the Argyle Club event. The invitations list suggested donations ranging from $500 to a pledge to give and raise $27,000.
Walker added campaign stops in Dallas and San Antonio and will wrap up his Texas trip today with a visit to Midland.
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U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia of San Antonio canceled a contempt of court hearing for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the legal challenge against the state’s now-defunct ban on same-sex marriages.
Garcia canceled the hearing and said the state is now in full compliance with the U.S. Supreme Court’s June ruling that legalized same-sex marriage.
In August, Texas began issuing death and birth certificates that recognize same-sex marriages. This came after Garcia ordered to state to revise its policies for issuing those certificates in light of the Supreme Court ruling.
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Gov. Greg Abbott made three appointments to the governing board for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles: Laura Ryan, Guillermo “Memo” Trevino and Gary M. Swindle.
Drawing some attention was the choice of Ryan, who is a vice president of market representation and dealer development for Gulf States Toyota, which has exclusive distribution rights for Toyota vehicles in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Oklahoma.
Ryan is the second person affiliated with Gulf States Toyota to score an Abbott appointment this summer. The company’s CEO, T. Dan Friedkin, was named chairman of the Parks and Wildlife Commission in late July.
According to filings with the Texas Ethics Commission, Friedkin gave the Abbott campaign $350,000 in 2013 and 2014 with an additional in-kind contribution of $32,705 for the use of an airplane.
