Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst is doubling down on his attacks on Ted Cruz in the sizzling hot U.S. Senate race. In a new 30-second TV ad, Dewhurst is once again trying to use Cruz’s legal representation of a Chinese company against him.
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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State Government
Historic Furnishings to Return to Governor’s Mansion
Restoration of the Texas Governor’s Mansion takes a significant step Wednesday, with the return of historic furnishings to the building. Gov. Rick Perry and the first lady are expected to return to the mansion late next month.
Posted inState Government
“Band of Brothers” Pulls Strings for Cruz’s Bid
Ted Cruz has extended the GOP U.S. Senate race with David Dewhurst, one of the state’s most powerful elected leaders. Cruz’s campaign aides said they did that by focusing on building relationships with Tea Party activists.
Posted inState Government
Mark Miner Joins Dewhurst’s Senate Campaign Team
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst is adding some firepower to his communications team. Mark Miner, once Gov. Rick Perry’s most recognizable spokesman, is joining Dewhurst’s campaign for U.S. Senate this week.
Posted inState Government
Dewhurst Again Slams Cruz Over Lawsuit Involving Chinese Firm
David Dewhurst again criticized U.S. Senate runoff rival Ted Cruz’s involvement in a patent case — pitting a Chinese company against a U.S. inventor — saying Monday that “this is a terrific insight into the character of Mr. Cruz.”
Posted inState Government
Dewhurst Booed Again as Texas GOP Convention Wraps Up
Ted Cruz and David Dewhurst both addressed the Texas GOP convention Saturday, but the two Senate candidates offered a study in contrast. Cruz got a rock star reception. Dewhurst got booed after targeting his opponent.
Posted inState Government
Straus Warns That Internal Bickering Could Hurt Texas GOP
At the state GOP convention, House Speaker Joe Straus said Friday he was confident he would keep his job for the next session. And he indicated that Republicans could hurt themselves if they focus only on demanding ideological purity.
Posted inState Government
Trial Lawyers Make Big Play In GOP Races
Trial lawyers, the most reliable and generous source of cash for Texas Democrats, generally sit out Republican primaries. But this year the are pouring huge sums into key Senate races, hoping to elect Republicans who are more friendly to their agenda than the establishment-preferred GOP candidates.
Posted inState Government
Straus Opponents Active at GOP Convention
House Speaker Joe Straus, booed at the Republican state convention two years ago, is bracing for another chilly reception from the GOP faithful on Friday.
Posted inState Government
Texas Democrats Convene With Little Momentum
Texas Democrats gather in Houston on Thursday for yet another state party convention being held amid long odds of any kind of statewide victory.