The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
Sages in both political parties say they are the natural ideological allies of the rising Hispanic population in Texas. But while the demographic trends are undeniable, the political meaning behind them is cloudy. Full Story
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As lawmakers in Washington call for a review of how asylum law pertains to Mexicans seeking protection, one Mexican exile is embarking on his own public relations campaign. Full Story
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More than a week into the government shutdown, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn sees a potential end in sight. Full Story
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Your evening reading: national Republicans launch Hispanic outreach effort in Texas; Battleground Texas moving key staffers to Fort Worth; TxDOT may get extra funding for damaged roads Full Story
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Attorney General Greg Abbott, the GOP front-runner for governor, is getting help from the Republican National Committee to reach Hispanic voters in Texas. Full Story
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Well over half of the money raised so far by the Water Texas PAC came from heavy contractors, Dow Chemical Co. and Energy Future Holdings/Luminant. Use our analyzer to take a closer look at the donors. Full Story
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Battleground Texas says it's focused on resurrecting the moribund Texas Democratic Party over the long term. The group's focus on helping Wendy Davis in her race for governor shows how much those hopes rest on her candidacy. Full Story
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The state of Texas last performed a study on the economic impact of undocumented immigrants in 2006. The majority of the candidates running for comptroller in 2014 say it's time for that analysis to get an update. Full Story
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The Longhorns and Sooners won't be the only ones looking for a win this weekend in Dallas. More than 30 Texas legislators are hoping to turn the Red River Rivalry game into campaign cash. Full Story
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Republican Todd Staples' first commercial in the race for lieutenant governor, running on the web and statewide on TV, touts his conservative credentials as an obstacle to Democratic efforts to turn Texas blue. Full Story
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Your evening reading: national Democrats to use Cruz against Republicans in 2014; Tea Party activist Lisa Fritsch joins governor's race; senator says government shutdown impeding West probe Full Story
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Republicans in Texas have recently used crowdsourcing initiatives to gather public opinion and engage with Texans. But political scientists say such efforts tend to miss the mark in helping candidates gain new supporters. Full Story
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In the shadow of the governor's race, the fight for the state's second-highest office lit up on Monday. Full Story
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While in San Antonio on Monday, state Sen. and gubernatorial hopeful Wendy Davis praised the city's new ordinance offering protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents, providing a stark contrast with Attorney General Greg Abbott. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Davis, Cornyn release first ads; Democrat enters comptroller's race; new Patrick ad touts his opposition to in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants Full Story
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State Sen. Wendy Davis, the newly minted Democratic candidate for governor, has released her first web ad. The spot, titled "A Texas Story," is heavy on biography and hits the highlights of her legislative career. Full Story
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In a new ad, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn's re-election campaign touts his record, saying he's "conservative like Texas." Full Story
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U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has again ratcheted up the tension in his ongoing quest to defund Obamacare. Full Story
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State Sen. Wendy Davis, a newly minted candidate for governor, has hit the road. Davis went to Waxahachie, a traditionally Republican area south of Dallas, where she tiptoed around the issue of the ongoing government shutdown. Full Story
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This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: Gov. Rick Perry and others are traveling the state encouraging voters to approve water funding, first lady Anita Perry makes news with her views on abortion and Wendy Davis makes if official. Full Story
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