Former Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson on Friday endorsed San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor in the runoff for the city's top job. Adkisson came in fourth in the first round of the election earlier this month. The top two finishers — former state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte and Taylor — are competing in the June 13 runoff election.
Thomas McNutt, whose family runs the iconic Collin Street Bakery, announced Tuesday he is launching a campaign for the seat currently held by House State Affairs Chairman Byron Cook, R-Corsicana. On Twitter and his website, McNutt said he is running because he believes the House District 8 representative should stand for conservative values "instead of standing in their way."
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has added Wendy Day as his Michigan state director for his 2016 presidential campaign. She is a vice chair of the state GOP and a prominent tea party activist in the state. Cruz also named Robert Uithoven as his campaign's Nevada state director. Uithoven has more than two decades of experience in Republican politics and most recently helped elect Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt in an upset victory.
Two GOP presidential candidates — retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum — are making visits to Texas. Carson tours the Carrick Brain Centers in Irving today and will have lunch in Dallas on Saturday with supporters selected through a contest. Santorum will hold fundraisers and public events June 5-6 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Deaths: Leo Berman, 79, the Tyler Republican who served seven terms as the representative for House District 6 from 1999-2013. Prior to that, he served on the Arlington City Council from 1979-85.
Gordon "Doc" Arnold, 65, who represented Kaufman and Ellis counties in House District 4 for two terms from 1983-85. He resigned his seat to become executive assistant to House Speaker Gib Lewis.
Robert Wayne "Bob" Strauser, 71, who founded the business advocacy group Texas Association of Taxpayers in 1974. He left in 1984 to work for the Baker & Botts law firm, retiring in 2008 but continuing to represent some clients until a week before his death.
Nell Barton, 90, the mother of U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Ennis.