Gov. Rick Perry is promising to reinstate the ban on gays serving openly in the military if he’s elected president, but he’s not sure yet what to do with the ones who have already come out of the closet.
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.
Posted inState Government
In New Ad, Struggling Perry Stokes Culture Wars
Gov. Rick Perry is stoking the culture wars with an edgy new TV ad railing against policies that allow gays to serve openly in the military but keep overt religious displays out of public schools.
Posted in
Demographics
Perry Says America “Snookered” by D.C., Wall Street
Rick Perry sharpened his populist tirade against Wall Street financiers and Washington politicians Wednesday, saying Americans had been “snookered” by bogus investments and a string of taxpayer-financed bailouts.
Posted in
Demographics
Perry a Tough Sell in New Hampshire
Rick Perry barnstormed New Hampshire and the talk radio circuit Tuesday to showcase his endorsement from immigration hardliner Joe Arpaio, but there were few visible signs that the Arizona sheriff’s blessing will revive the governor’s campaign.
Posted in
Demographics
Updated: Perry Gets Nod From Arizona Sheriff Arpaio
“America’s toughest sheriff,” as he calls himself, joined Rick Perry on the campaign trail today as the governor aims to mend fences with the GOP voters he has alienated with his moderate stands on illegal immigration.
Posted in
State Government
Updated: UT Cancer Institute Focuses on Effective Drug Research
Hoping to get more effective cancer drugs into the hands of patients, state leaders this morning announced the creation of a new cancer research institute in Houston.
Posted in
State Government
Spending on Perry’s Austin Mansion Hits $800,000
When Rick Perry recently attacked entrenched politicians for living large at taxpayers’ expense, critics were quick to turn the tables on the governor. A Tribune review shows how much Perry’s arrangement costs.
Posted inState Government
Perry Opposed on No-Fly Zone, But Debate is Polite
The Republican presidential candidates clashed over illegal immigration and Rick Perry’s idea for a no-fly zone over Syria, but otherwise they focused their ire on Barack Obama and mostly played nice with one another.
Posted inState Government
Liveblog: CNN/Heritage Foundation Debate
Tonight’s GOP debate presents Gov. Rick Perry with an opportunity to breathe new life into a campaign that could use some. But given that his debate performances are a key reason his campaign is in the ditch, the forum also presents significant risks.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Rep. Joe Driver to Get Five Years Probation
The Garland Republican pleaded guilty in court Tuesday to felony abuse-of-office charges after illegally pocketing state travel money. The humbled legislator agreed to five years probation and said he was thankful that the issue was finally resolved.
