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Jasper Scherer is a politics reporter for The Texas Tribune. He previously covered Texas politics and government for Hearst Newspapers' Austin bureau, which he joined after stints covering City Hall for the Houston Chronicle and Bexar County for the San Antonio Express-News. A native of San Francisco, Jasper graduated from Northwestern University with degrees in journalism and political science. He is based in Austin.
Ahead of the primary, Pierson lacked endorsements from Gov. Greg Abbott, former President Donald Trump, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, each of whom backed pro-voucher challengers in a number of other House contests. Full Story
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Cook will fill John Whitmire’s unexpired term — but will face Johnson again in a Democratic primary runoff for a full four-year term. Full Story
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State Rep. Jarvis Johnson and emergency room nurse Molly Cook are duking it out in a sleepy special election to briefly occupy the seat vacated when Whitmire was elected mayor. Full Story
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Abbott made the remarks as he recounted the story of a male teacher in North Texas who wore a pink dress for his school’s spirit day earlier this year. Full Story
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The battle to succeed retiring state Sen. Drew Springer has come down to a May 28 runoff between Brent Hagenbuch and Jace Yarbrough. Full Story
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The two dozen Republican signatories called on the next House leader to commit to their list of conservative demands that served as a repudiation of Speaker Dade Phelan. Full Story
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Straus, who is Jewish, publicly confirmed the conversation for the first time Thursday. It had previously been reported by Texas Monthly. Full Story
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The Beaumont Republican’s foes are trying to paint him as soft on the border, even after last year’s passage of far-reaching laws and record border funding. Full Story
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With his impeachment and securities fraud case behind him, Paxton’s political stock is on the rise. Full Story
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Paxton, who will not have to enter a plea under the terms of the agreement, faced the prospect of decades in prison if he had been convicted of fraud. Full Story
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