It’s been more than a week since Steve Stockman dropped his re-election bid for Congress to challenge U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. But he’s still the talk of the political world.
Jay Root
Jay Root is an award-winning journalist who reported for the Tribune from 2011 to 2020. He covered the dramatic collapse of Gov. Rick Perry’s 2012 presidential campaign and went on to write an ebook about it called “Oops! A Diary from the 2012 Campaign Trail.” Root also broke the story that put the Texas attorney general, Ken Paxton, on the path toward criminal indictment, co-wrote an exposé that brought an end to privately funded prosecutions in Travis County, and authored a series of watchdog articles that prompted a wave of firings and resignations at two major state agencies.
In 2017, Root co-directed “Beyond The Wall,” a film exploring border politics in the age of Trump, which won a national Edward R. Murrow award for best news documentary. Root’s latest film, “Border Hustle,” was released in early 2019 and reveals how desperate migrants have become cash cows on both sides of the border.
Previously, for a dozen years, Root was Austin bureau chief of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, where he chronicled the rise of then-Gov. George W. Bush, wrote about cartel violence in Mexico and covered Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. During a three-year stint at the Associated Press, Root was twice named AP Staff Reporter of the Year for his watchdog reporting, including a story that sparked felony charges against a sitting state representative.
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Politics
Cruz Ends Year as He Began It: No Apologies
By the time Ted Cruz completes his first year in office, he will arguably have become the most recognizable face of the GOP’s far right. So what does he have to say for himself? In a wide-ranging interview, he sized up year one.
Posted inState Government
Lizard Politics: Davis Camp Weighs In
The lizard is back: After weeks with hardly a mention, the threatened dunes sagebrush lizard slithers into the race for Texas governor.
Posted inState Government
Abbott’s Silence Becomes Issue In Governor’s Race
Attorney General Greg Abbott’s silence on major policy issues is becoming an issue in the race for Texas governor.
Posted inState Government
Lisa Fritsch: Size Matters With Charitable Donations
Republican Lisa Fritsch touts her charitable giving in the race for Texas governor.
Posted inState Government
Perry Stands By Support of Cornyn
Even with U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman’s entry into the U.S. Senate race, Gov. Rick Perry is not wavering in his support of incumbent John Cornyn.
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Politics
Ethics Complaint Against Carona Dismissed, Lawyer Says
UPDATED: A sworn ethics complaint against state Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, has been thrown out, his lawyer said. The complaint alleged Carona failed to disclose various companies to the Texas Ethics Commission. Carona called the complaint a “stunt” by his opponent.
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Politics
Efforts Targeting Double Dipping Could Get Boost
Efforts to ban double dipping by longtime politicians went nowhere in the last legislative session. That could change now that the two leading candidates for governor have expressed support for banning the controversial practice.
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Politics
Davis Sees Rise in Income From Private Law Practice
Democrat Wendy Davis only makes $7,200 a year in salary as a state senator, but her take-home pay more than doubled between 2010 and 2012 thanks to steadily rising income from her private law practice, tax records show.
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Politics
Abbott Setting Sights on Education Policy Debate
Greg Abbott will launch a series of education policy roundtables Tuesday in Plano, debuting what his campaign said would be a “major issue” for the campaign of the leading Republican candidate for governor.
