Wendy Davis, expected to announce for governor on Thursday, is relying on a tight-knit group of people who have fought in the political trenches together — often against the odds, and often in territory inhospitable to Democrats.
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
Abbott Announces Settlement Over American Airlines Merger
UPDATED: Under a settlement announced Tuesday, American Airlines has agreed to ensure that after its merger with US Airways, the airline will maintain daily service to 22 Texas airports for at least three years.
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Politics
Business Group Breaks With Abbott Over Lawsuit
The Texas Association of Business, in a slap at gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott, has endorsed the merger of American Airlines and US Airways. As attorney general, Abbott has joined with the U.S. Justice Department in opposing the merger.
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Politics
Wendy Davis Releases Details About Campaign Announcement
Amid widespread reports that she plans to run for Texas governor, state Sen. Wendy Davis on Thursday released details about the announcement of her future plans next week.
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Health care
Abortion Foes Criticize Patrick’s Past Investment
Dan Patrick has made his opposition to abortion a centerpiece of his campaign for lieutenant governor. But two prominent abortion opponents are criticizing the Houston senator for once owning stock in the maker of the “morning after” pill.
Posted inState Government
An Announcement From Wendy Davis, Sort Of
Sen. Wendy Davis will announce her future political plans on Oct. 3. Davis has said she will run either for re-election or for Texas governor, but most signs are pointing toward the latter.
Posted inState Government
Abbott Distances Himself From Adviser’s Tweet
Attorney General Greg Abbott, the leading candidate for Texas governor, distanced himself from a controversial tweet by his top campaign adviser, who repeated a blogger’s line that Democrat Wendy Davis was “too stupid to be governor.”
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Politics
On Immigration, Cruz Aims for Middle Ground
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has been an ardent and highly visible opponent of giving undocumented immigrants a way to become U.S. citizens. He is advocating a middle ground — legalization and more visas without citizenship.
Posted inState Government
Guns Could Be an Issue in the Governor’s Race
In Texas, where licensed gun toters are allowed to bypass the metal detectors at the state Capitol and the sitting governor once shot a coyote while jogging, getting between Texans and their guns can be politically dangerous.
Posted inState Government
Abbott Continues Attack on San Antonio Ordinance
A day after the San Antonio City Council adopted a far-reaching anti-discrimination ordinance, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott warned it would open up the city to a lawsuit but declined to say if the state would initiate one.
