Enlarge REUTERS/Aaron Bernstein

Republican U.S. presidential candidate Ted Cruz holds a campaign rally to announce Carly Fiorina as his running mate in Indianapolis, Indiana on April 27, 2016. REUTERS/Aaron Bernstein

On the same day that he said he’d pick Carly Fiorina as his running mate should he win the GOP presidential nomination, Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz has won the endorsement of U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado.

On Wednesday afternoon, Cruz's campaign announced the endorsement, Cruz's third from one of his colleagues in the Senate after Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Mike Lee of Utah.

"Ted Cruz has always been a fierce defender of the Constitution and a tireless advocate of conservative principles," read a statement from Gardner, who had endorsed former candidate Marco Rubio.

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Cruz's presidential campaign and its allies are wasting no time putting his running mate on the air.

On Thursday afternoon, the campaign and a pro-Cruz super PAC unveiled TV ads featuring Fiorina, who Cruz named a day earlier as his vice presidential candidate. The 30-second spots are set to run in Indiana, whose primary Tuesday is becoming make-or-break for Cruz.

In unveiling its ad, the pro-Cruz super PAC Trusted Leadership PAC said it was investing another $350,000 in the Hoosier State. The group had previously announced it would spend $1.6 million to support Cruz there.

Watch the campaign's ad:

Watch the super PAC's ad:

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Texas’ entire Republican congressional delegation — including Cruz — is supporting the state’s legal defense of its voter ID law.

“They support efforts to ensure the integrity of and public confidence in the electoral process through the use of evenhanded and non-burdensome voter identification measures,” said a brief submitted on their behalf Friday. “They strongly believe SB 14 is one such effort that serves an important function in preserving fair elections in the State of Texas.”

The case, now in the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, centers on whether the Texas Legislature intentionally discriminated against Hispanic and African-American voters when it passed Senate Bill 14 in 2011, requiring most citizens to show one of a handful of forms of allowable photo identification before their election ballots can be counted.

The rules did not take effect until the U.S. Supreme Court struck down part of the Voting Rights Act, ruling in Shelby County v. Holder that states with a history of racial discrimination no longer needed to seek federal approval when changing election laws.

In August of 2015, a 5th Circuit panel ruled that the law has a “discriminatory effect” that violates the Voting Rights Act but that it is not a “poll tax” barred under the U.S. Constitution, but the rules are still in effect for now.

The full appeals court will rehear arguments on May 24.

Cruz and company asks for the full court to reverse the decision that the panel largely upheld.

“Simply put, an application of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act that would invalidate such a commonsense measure cannot be correct,” the brief stated. “The en banc Court should rule that SB 14 does not have a discriminatory effect in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.”

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The Texas primary is over, but that doesn't mean Hillary Clinton is done with the state.

Clinton, the Democratic presidential frontrunner, is planning to return to the Lone Star State on May 20 for a series of fundraisers, according to invitations recently distributed by her campaign. As part of the swing, Clinton will visit Dallas, Houston and Austin.

In Texas' March 1 primary, Clinton defeated rival Bernie Sanders by 32 points, 65 percent to 33 percent.

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Texas GOP Vice Chair Amy Clark on Thursday unveiled a raft of endorsements in her bid for re-election.

According to her campaign, Clark has the support of almost three-quarters of the State Republican Executive Committee, the Texas Young Republican Federation and every member of the Texas Federation of Republican Women who can endorse in such a race. Clark has also been endorsed by two former state GOP chairmen, Steve Munisteri and Tom Pauken, as well as anti-abortion advocate Kyleen Wright, president of the Texans for Life Coalition, and Texas Alliance for Life PAC.

Clark was elected vice chair at the state GOP convention in 2014. At the convention next month, Texas GOP Chairman Tom Mechler and Clark are being challenged by Jared Woodfill, former chairman of the Harris County GOP, and Cathie Adams, president of the Texas Eagle Forum, respectively.

Enlarge The Texas Tribune/Bob Daemmrich

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick prays during the Franklin Graham rally at the Texas Capitol on April 26, 2016.

Evangelist Franklin Graham on Tuesday afternoon urged Texas Christians to get more involved in politics, advising them to support candidates who stand for "biblical values and live them."

Graham, addressing hundreds at a prayer rally outside the Capitol, emphasized he was not telling Texans who to vote for but implored them to turn out — not just in the presidential election, but also in local races that can often impact the role of religion in public life. 

"Be willing in this next election to vote," he said. "If the Christians show up in force, we can win."

A number of elected officials attended the rally, including Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

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America’s biggest retiree group wants a legislative inquiry into a Ray L. Hunt-led group’s plan to buy and reshape Oncor, Texas’ largest electric utility, into a real estate investment trust.

In a letter to state Rep. Dan Flynn, AARP Texas continues its fierce criticism of the effort, calling it risky and a raw deal for ratepayers.

“It is my hope that you will continue leading the effort to have the Texas Legislature take whatever steps are necessary to put a stop to the proposed speculation for which ratepayers have all the risk and billionaire speculators get all the profit,” Robert Jackson, the group’s Texas director wrote.

Flynn, R-Van, has already been critical of the roughly $18 billion deal, which has been shrouded in uncertainty since the Texas Public Utility Commission approved it with major stipulations.

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Gov. Greg Abbott has decided to throw his support behind proposed legislation by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Utah Sen. Mike Lee aimed at ending a government operation launched several years ago to employ banks in efforts to crack down on online scam artists. The effort was later criticized for targeting online gun sellers and legitimate online lenders.

Abbott expressed his support for Cruz’s legislation in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. “The executive-branch bureaucracy in Washington, D.C., is too large, is too expensive and wields too much power,” Abbott wrote. “Congress must consistently and decisively take action to control — and if necessary to punish — executive agencies that seek to impose their will on the American people without the consent of our elected representatives.”

Cruz isn’t the first Republican in Congress to go after Operation Choke Point. In response to pressure, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation last year issued new guidelines on how banks should target potential fraudulent activity.

That led Missouri Republican Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer to tell the Washington Times that Operation Choke Point had been “choked off.”

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Surrounded by several leaders of charitable organizations and volunteers, Texas first lady Cecilia Abbott officially launched “Texanthropy” — her initiative to promote volunteerism.

Her remarks in front of the governor’s mansion Wednesday in part highlighted her philanthropic work, and that of members of Gov. Greg Abbott’s staff volunteering with Meals on Wheels.

"I hope to inspire more Texans to get involved and help make a difference through service and volunteering," she said.

Her initiative includes a website where Texans soon will be able to search an interactive map to find local volunteers opportunities.

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The Governor’s Office said on Monday that the federal government has granted a request for a federal disaster declaration in Fayette, Grimes, Harris and Parker counties, which were affected by flooding earlier this month.

The declaration frees up funds for individual assistance to help cover housing needs as well as other disaster-related needs.

“I would like to thank the President and FEMA for quickly granting Texas’ request for Individual Assistance following last week’s severe weather,” Abbott said in a statement. “The State of Texas will continue to work with our local and federal partners to aid Texans recovering and rebuilding from flood damages and ensure all those affected receive the assistance they need.”

Disclosure: Oncor and AARP Texas have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.

Enlarge James Gathany, USCDCP

The Aedes albopictus mosquito.

The Texas Senate will take a closer look at the state’s ability to control the Zika virus, according to an announcement Monday from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. The Senate Health and Human Services Committee is scheduled to address the topic at a May 17 hearing at the Texas Capitol.

"With increasing news concerning the Zika virus' potential impact on Texas, and after several personal discussions with medical experts over the past few months, I believe it is time for the latest update in a public hearing," Patrick said in a statement. "Recent flooding has made this issue even more important to examine. We need a report on our readiness across Texas, including ways for people to take mosquito precautions."

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The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) announced on Monday that it has petitioned Education Commissioner Mike Morath to make revisions to a controversial proposed teacher evaluation system.

The teacher group’s action comes after two lawsuits were filed in recent days by the Texas State Teachers Association and the Texas Classroom Teachers Association seeking to block implementation of the assessment system.

Kicking up controversy is the system’s use of student performance on standardized tests in assessing educators’ performance. For more information on the legal action to stop the Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS), check out the Tribune’s coverage of the TSTA’s lawsuit here.

The ATPE noted today that a lawsuit could be brought after its appeal to the commissioner. In its statement from Monday, the ATPE concluded by expressing its hope that Morath “will take necessary steps to revise the T-TESS rules to comply with state laws, ensuring all teachers are evaluated fairly, and recommending an appraisal process that truly helps teachers improve their skills in the classroom.”

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The State Preservation Board announced that on Tuesday it will begin the two-day process of making room for Gov. Rick Perry’s official portrait, set to be unveiled in the Capitol on May 6.

Why does this process take two days? The SPB is glad you asked. Here’s an excerpt from the agency’s press release today that explains the exhaustive and no doubt exhausting prep work:

“For the first time in nearly fourteen years, all 51 portraits will be moved one space to the left.  This will make room for Governor Perry’s portrait, which will be unveiled on May 6th during a brief ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda. …

“Starting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 3rd ropes and stanchions will be placed at either end of that quarter of the Rotunda to provide a safe environment for staff to work. In the space to the left of the Henry Smith portrait, carpenters will drill into the masonry wall to set a dowel and install a hook for a secure placement. SPB staff will carefully remove the Smith portrait from its current location and place it on a padded table for examination and thorough dusting. Once that process is complete, the Smith portrait will be hung in its new location. Next the portrait of David G. Burnet will be shifted to the table for inspection. Once that is done, the cable on the back of the painting will be moved so that it will hang at the same height as the Smith painting. This process will be repeated at each quarter of the Rotunda for approximately two days, leaving the space ready for Governor Perry’s portrait on the first floor by Thursday, May 5th.”

Disclosure: The Texas State Teachers Association, the Association of Texas Professional Educators and the Texas Classroom Teachers Association have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.

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For this week’s nonscientific survey of insiders in government and politics, we asked about those two embattled statewide elected officials — Ken Paxton and Sid Miller.

News coverage of the attorney general and the agriculture commissioner has been unrelenting in recent months, leading us to begin this week's survey by asking the insiders whether the men would survive their first terms in statewide office.

More than 40 percent said neither one would make it through their terms with another three in 10 saying they both would survive to the end of their terms in office. Another 18 percent said Miller would make it while 7 percent thought that Paxton would make it.

We pivoted then to transition plans should one or both men leave office early. When asked what Gov. Greg Abbott would do with a vacancy at attorney general, the insiders were evenly split between thinking Abbott would appoint a Supreme Court justice (37 percent) or that he would turn to an attorney in his shop (34 percent)

Another 8 percent thought he'd look at a former candidate for AG.

On what Abbott might do with a vacancy at agriculture commissioner, four in five of the insiders thought someone from outside the agency would get the appointment with another 10 percent looking for a previous candidate for ag commissioner to get the call.

Interestingly, no one thought that someone within the agency would be in line for a promotion to lead the agency.

Finally, we asked if the state would be better off with fewer elected heads of executive department. More than 60 percent said they didn't think that would be a good idea.

We collected comments along the way, and a full set of those is attached. Here’s a sampling:

Enlarge Emily Albracht

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Who survives his first term as a statewide official?

• "There is plenty of reason for each of them to leave. The question is, who makes them do it?"

• "Paxton will survive, as the charges are unrelated to his official capacity. Miller misused government property (surprising nobody), and I think those charges will be forthcoming."

• "Both will be pressured to step down. The 'pressure' will come from tea party elites."

• "But survival just means you are still breathing. It does not mean you are well."

• "The wheels are turning too slowly on both these things cause a big blow-up anytime soon, particularly when the public doesn't really care. The public saw with Rick Perry that these so-called legal problems are often just political attacks — so rightly or wrongly, these two stories are largely media driven."

Enlarge Emily Albracht

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If there were a vacancy at attorney general, where would Greg Abbott look for a successor?

• "He will appoint someone from his staff or previous staff. If he was smart, he would appoint Dan Branch!!!"

• "Dan Patrick's son is looking a lot like Paxton's successor."

• "Appointing a SCOTX justice creates another vacancy for him to fill, so that's the smart move. It's a two-fer!"

• "Gov. Abbott has done a good job of attracting good people (e.g. Tryon Lewis as Chair of TxDOT) to join government, and he would be able to attract a top lawyer to do this for Texas."

• "Eva Guzman — top of the list. Would be absolutely nuts for Abbott to appoint a white guy off the court or from his own shop."

• "Former Supreme Court Justice Harriett O'Neill, a steady hand is needed."

Enlarge Emily Albracht

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If there were a vacancy at agriculture commissioner, where would Abbott look for a successor?

• "More than likely a current state representative who has a strong interest."

• "Rick Perry is currently job hunting."

• "Picking someone at random off Lavaca Street would be an improvement."

• "Here's a novel idea: find someone who actually does agriculture. Make it a real commissioner of agriculture!"

• "Ag commissioner would be a sweet payback for a favored supporter. And there would be no shortage of applicants."

• "Not sure on this one, but J. Carnes would be a good choice."

Enlarge Emily Albracht

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Would the state be better off if voters directly elected fewer heads of executive departments, such as the ag commissioner, the comptroller or railroad commissioners?

• "Look at the history of key agency appointees — seems voters do a better job overall than has occurred through cronyism."

• "Having an independent comptroller has been good for the state. I'm saying this even though the incentive for an independent comptroller is to be unduly conservative in revenue estimates, which squeezes the already undersized state budget unnecessarily. It's like having an independent Federal Reserve."

• "Tough to know — appointments are just as partisan as elections. That said, today's elections are won by those who pander to the far reaches of their party, make outlandish comments that are either racist or sexist, and don't offer real solutions to serious problems facing our country and state."

• "The voters are the ultimate equalizers. They may make a mistake, but they usually correct it next time around."

• "We should actually elect more, including the insurance commissioner."

Our thanks to this week's participants: Gene Acuna, Cathie Adams, Brandon Aghamalian, Clyde Alexander, Jay Arnold, Charles Bailey, Andrew Biar, Allen Blakemore, Tom Blanton, Chris Britton, Blaine Bull, Raif Calvert, Lydia Camarillo, Kerry Cammack, Harold Cook, Curtis Culwell, Denise Davis, June Deadrick, Nora Del Bosque, Glenn Deshields, Tom Duffy, David Dunn, Richard Dyer, Jack Erskine, John Esparza, Tom Forbes, Dominic Giarratani, Bruce Gibson, Stephanie Gibson, Eric Glenn, Kinnan Golemon, Daniel Gonzalez, John Greytok, Clint Hackney, Wayne Hamilton, Bill Hammond, Deborah Ingersoll, Mark Jones, Walt Jordan, Robert Kepple, Richard Khouri, Tom Kleinworth, Dale Laine, Pete Laney, Dick Lavine, James LeBas, Luke Legate, Ruben Longoria, Vilma Luna, Matt Mackowiak, Jason McElvaney, Steve Minick, Bee Moorhead, Mike Moses, Nelson Nease, Todd Olsen, Nef Partida, Gardner Pate, Jerod Patterson, Robert Peeler, Jerry Philips, Tom Phillips, Wayne Pierce, Allen Place, Gary Polland, Jay Pritchard, Jay Propes, Patrick Reinhart, David Reynolds, Chuck Rice, Carl Richie, A.J. Rodriguez, Kim Ross, Jeff Rotkoff, Grant Ruckel, Tyler Ruud, Andy Sansom, Barbara Schlief, Stan Schlueter, Robert Scott, Ben Sebree, Christopher Shields, Ed Small, Martha Smiley, Larry Soward, Leonard Spearman, Dennis Speight, Colin Strother, Sherry Sylvester, Trey Trainor, Vicki Truitt, David White, Darren Whitehurst, Seth Winick, Peck Young, Angelo Zottarelli.

Enlarge Todd Wiseman

Friday, April 29

• Eight-day pre-election campaign finance reports are due ahead of the May 7 House District special elections in HD-120 and HD-139.
• Annie’s List Austin Luncheon, featuring keynote speaker Sandra Fluke; Four Seasons Hotel, 98 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin (12-1:15 p.m.)

Saturday, April 30

• Network of Texas IAF Organizations' celebration of 40 years of organizing; The Whitley Center, Oblate School of Theology, 285 Oblate Drive, San Antonio (11 a.m.)
  

Sunday, May 1

• Democracy Awakening rally, featuring speakers U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, and political commentator Mark McKinnon; Texas Capitol, 1100 Congress Ave., Austin (1-3 p.m.)
  

Monday, May 2

• Texas Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony, with medal presenter Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick; Texas Capitol South Steps, 1100 Congress Ave., Austin (11 a.m.)
  

Tuesday, May 3

• Presidential nominating contest: Indiana
• Early voting ends ahead of the May 7 House District special elections in HD-120 and HD-139.
• State Rep. John Cyrier, R-Lockhart, re-election victory and birthday party; Sabre Commercial, Inc., 2001 Chicon St., Austin (4-7 p.m.)
• State Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-N. Richland Hills, fundraiser; 12 Niles Road, Austin (5:30-7 p.m.)

Thursday, May 5

• Capital For Texas Small Business Forum, hosted by the Texas Department of Agriculture; Texas Capitol, 1100 Congress Ave., Austin (8 a.m.-3 p.m.)
  
• State Rep. John Frullo, R-Lubbock, fundraiser; Austin Club, 110 E. Ninth St., Austin (4-5:30 p.m.)
• Cinco de Mayo Festival - Celebrating A Luna Scholars Quinceañera, hosted by state Sen. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, and members of the Senate Hispanic Caucus; Hotel Ella, 1900 Rio Grande St., Austin (5:30-7:30 p.m.)

Texas public university officials told lawmakers on Thursday that scientific research using human fetal tissue was limited in scope but crucial to medical advances. It was the first hearing on the subject since a Harris County grand jury in January indicted two undercover videographers who circulated videos about how fetal tissue was procured at Planned Parenthood clinics.

Former U.S. House Speaker John Boehner has never been much of a fan of Ted Cruz. He made that clearer than ever Wednesday, calling the Texas senator "Lucifer in the flesh" and a "miserable son of a bitch" at a discussion at Stanford University.

Activists, lawmakers and state leaders are eyeing Texas as the next battleground in what has become an explosive national debate: the right of transgender people to decide which bathroom they use. Conservative activists like Jared Woodfill have found an increasingly helpful ally in Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who is calling the issue a priority for the next legislative session.

This fall, guns will be allowed in classrooms and most dorms at Texas A&M University and other A&M System schools after regents chose to make no changes to its system's campus carry policies on Wednesday. Faculty will only be allowed to ban them in their offices if they show a special need.

Uber announced Wednesday the company plans to cease operations in Houston if the city council does not repeal its existing regulations relating to vehicle-for-hire companies. Houston is one of two cities in the country where Uber continues to operate despite a local requirement that its drivers undergo fingerprint-based background checks.

At a rally in Indianapolis, Ted Cruz named former presidential rival Carly Fiorina as his would-be running mate if he can manage to snag the Republican presidential nomination from frontrunner Donald Trump. Initial analysis pointed to a need by Cruz to change the conversation after suffering a series of primary losses this week to Trump and to set up a block against Trump getting the delegates in Indiana and California needed to win the nomination on the first ballot.

The Texas Rangers have joined a Travis County District Attorney office criminal probe into state Rep. Dawnna Dukes' use of staff, the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed. The Texas Tribune reported in February that the State Auditor's Office had launched an investigation after Dukes' then chief of staff, Mike French, asked whether it was legal for the Austin Democrat to ask staff to work on the annual African-American Heritage Festival.

In an interview with KERA news this week, Texas' senior senator, John Cornyn, talked about the differences between him and the state's junior senator, Ted Cruz. “Clearly, he didn’t come here to remain in the Senate," Cornyn said. "He came here to run for president. I think that perhaps explains the difference in tactics.”

In his most aggressive terms yet, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick excoriated Texas universities for raising their tuition in recent years, suggesting that the Texas Senate will try to limit tuition growth when it reconvenes next year. Patrick also raised several ideas that he said could immediately cut tuition costs by 25 percent.

Disclosure: Planned Parenthood, Texas A&M University and Uber have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.

Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Mike S. Sullivan of Kingwood, Shannalea Taylor of Del Rio, Kevin Pottinger of Keller and reappointed Dennis Lewis of Texarkana to the Texas Military Preparedness Commission for terms to expire Feb. 1, 2021.

Abbott last Friday made a trio of appointments to the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. He appointed Glenda Clausell of Houston and Liesl Olson of Lubbock and reappointed Harvey Aikman of Mission for terms to expire Jan. 31, 2021.

The political arm of Texans for Lawsuit Reform, the Texas Conservative View PAC, the Denton County Conservative Coalition, the Kaufman County Tea Party, New Revolution Now and the Texas Home School Coalition are backing Wayne Christian over Gary Gates in the GOP runoff for Texas railroad commissioner.

Christian’s opponent in the runoff, Gary Gates, announced an endorsement on Thursday from the Texas Alliance for Life PAC.

Republican Party of Texas Chairman Tom Mechler announced endorsements this week of his re-election campaign from U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-San Antonio, and state Rep. Jodie Laubenberg, R-Parker.

Tyler-based conservative group Grassroots America – We the People PAC and its executive director, JoAnn Fleming, on Monday endorsed Dawn Buckingham in the Republican primary runoff election to fill the open SD-24 seat. She later collected endorsements from the Central Texas Republican Assembly (CTRA) and from Ryan Downton, a former contender for the seat.

The political arm of Texans for Lawsuit Reform on Thursday endorsed Lynn Stucky in the GOP runoff election in the open HD-64 seat.

Public education advocacy group Texas Parent PAC announced on Monday that it is endorsing Kimberly Willis in the May 24 Democratic party primary runoff election to represent the Houston-based HD-139 represented by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.

The Pete Gallego for Congress campaign said Tuesday that it has hired a new communications director, Lyndsey Rodriguez. She performed the same job previously for the Mexican American Legislative Caucus.

Cynthia Meyer, leaving the Office of Attorney General Ken Paxton where she is agency spokeswoman for the government affairs team at the Railroad Commission. Her last day in Paxton’s shop is May 6. Handling future press inquiries at OAG is Teresa Farfan.

The two Solomon Ortizes of Texas — former U.S. Rep. Solomon Ortiz Sr. and former state Rep. Solomon Ortiz Jr. — announced this week they are joining Houston-based Strategic Public Affairs firm.

The Texas Agricultural Land Trust has named James Oliver as the group’s new chief operating officer. He is a former banker and agriculture lender, according to an announcement from TALT.

The Texas Association of Business has added Kirby Hiscox as the organization’s new vice president of corporate development.

Disclosure: The Texas Association of Business have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.