The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
We've added Texas' congressional delegation to our Ethics Explorer, an interactive tool to help educate citizens on the degree to which elected officials’ personal interests conflict with the public interest when passing bills and setting policy. Full Story
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Labor Day marked the unofficial kickoff of one of Texas' busiest election seasons in years. Full Story
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If Wendy Davis runs for Texas governor, her biography will face greater scrutiny. Voters are likely to find an exceptionally ambitious woman who has experienced both poverty and wealth and isn’t nearly as partisan as some think. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Cornyn slams White House over Syria; new fundraising numbers trickling out; in speech, Smitherman said unborn "would have voted Republican" Full Story
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In a recent speech to an anti-abortion group, Texas Railroad Commissioner Barry Smitherman, a Republican candidate for attorney general, said he believed many unborn babies "would have voted Republican." Full Story
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Political contributions to statewide candidates and officeholders during the second special legislative session this summer are now in our finance analyzer, which shows donations by size, location, donor and even by daily totals from June 26 to July 30. Full Story
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The Republican ticket is ready for the unofficial but traditional Labor Day start of the political cycle, but the Democrats are waiting for their top candidate to announce. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Perry's trip to Missouri sparks fight; health panel advances abortion rules; Austin City Council votes to join voter ID lawsuit Full Story
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The first day of early voting this week in an Edinburg City Council election has only yielded about 400 votes but so far, voter ID hasn't appeared to cause any issues. Full Story
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With four Republican candidates already in the race, Democrats are seeking one candidate to unite behind as they fight to keep the Texas Senate seat Wendy Davis has occupied since 2008. Full Story
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Public opinion on voting rights in Texas neither paints a dour picture for gubernatorial hopeful Greg Abbott nor presents a clear path forward for Democrats. Full Story
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As Democrats await word from Wendy Davis, the search is on to fill the rest of the party's 2014 roster. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Tea Party groups take aim at Cornyn over Affordable Care Act; Davis delays announcement on political plans; Cruz ties conflict in Syria to Obamacare Full Story
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Texans will have to wait a little longer to find out if Wendy Davis will run for governor. The state senator said Wednesday she is postponing her decision until late September while she cares for her ailing father. Full Story
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Speaking in front of the Texas Capitol on Wednesday, members of ForAmerica and the Tea Party asked U.S. Sen. John Cornyn to sign a resolution that funds the federal government, except the Affordable Care Act. Full Story
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In a new online campaign ad, Republican Jerry Patterson slaps some of his rivals for lieutenant governor for being "soft" and says this summer's filibuster in the Texas Senate — he calls it "Washington West" — might have gone differently with him in charge. Full Story
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Use our interactive to check out the top contributors in the first half of 2013 to candidates running for or considering a shot at governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, land commissioner and agriculture commissioner. Full Story
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As state Sen. Wendy Davis mulls a gubernatorial bid, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has some thoughts about how she'd fare if she ran. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Perry returning to Iowa; Cornyn urges Obama to consult Congress before decision on Syria; Torres releases first campaign video Full Story
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Some of Texas’ biggest oil and gas lobbyists are hoping to take control of the fate of the fast-disappearing lesser prairie chicken — much like what happened with the dunes sagebrush lizard earlier this year. Full Story
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