The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
Laura Thompson is the first independent to serve in the Texas Legislature in more than a half-century, even though she won't be there long. The last was Howard Green, the grandfather of actor Ethan Hawke. Full Story
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This week on The Ticket: Jay Root and Ben Philpott revisit Donald Trump's bad week on the campaign trail and dissect the latest polls with UT-Austin pollster Jim Henson. Full Story
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After less than two months on the job Dallas County's Republican chairman has quit, leaving behind an organization in financial distress and setting off a breakneck race to replace him, with a state senator's twin brother deep in the fray. Full Story
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Texas agreed Wednesday to terms that will weaken its voter ID law and that lawyers suing the state say will make it easier for minorities to cast a ballot in the November general election. Full Story
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Texas officials announced on Wednesday they would allow Medicaid to pay for mosquito repellent for women in the hopes of preventing the Zika virus. Full Story
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The evidence is piling up: If the law allows Texas and other states to discriminate, they will discriminate. Full Story
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Independent Laura Thompson has won the special election runoff to temporarily fill the seat of former state Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon, D-San Antonio. Full Story
Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine is coming to Texas next week to raise money for Hillary Clinton's campaign for the White House. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott is coming to the defense of a fallen Muslim soldier's family, which has been under attack from Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Full Story
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As we start this 99-day sprint to Election Day (and somewhat in the spirit of the summer Olympics), it seems like a good time to open the records and see what Texas voters have done in past presidential election years. Full Story
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Dallas billionaire Mark Cuban returned to his birthplace of Pittsburgh on Saturday to endorse Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, borrowing a local term to assail her bombastic Republican rival. Full Story
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After years of being soundly thrashed by Republicans in Texas statewide races, the Texas Democratic Party leaves its national gathering still looking for a path out of political exile. Full Story
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Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is returning to Texas next month to raise money for his campaign. Full Story
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Texas is again taking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to court, this time challenging new rules aimed at slashing methane emissions in the oil patch. Full Story
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Starting Monday, licensed college students, faculty and visitors across Texas will be allowed to carry their concealed guns into campus buildings thanks to a new state law. But that right will be mostly limited to public schools. Full Story
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U.S. Sen. John Cornyn on Friday said it was "a mistake" for Ted Cruz to show up at the Republican National Convention with no intention of endorsing presidential nominee Donald Trump. Full Story
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Judging by the throngs of adoring fans at the Democratic National Convention, you'd never guess former state Sen. Wendy Davis lost her bid for Texas governor by 20 points. Full Story
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In the Roundup: A potential 2018 challenger emerges for Senator Ted Cruz, Hillary Clinton passes on Housing Secretary Julián Castro for vice president and Texans take the stage at the Democratic National Convention. Full Story
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The craze over the smartphone game “Pokémon Go” is coaxing Texans out of their homes and into the summer heat — and now at least one state lawmaker is looking to the game to bolster voter engagement efforts. Full Story
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The Texas attorney general’s latest pratfall was the sort of mistake that your average statewide politician is — or ought to be — too paranoid to make. Full Story
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