The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
Without the billionaire on the stage for the seventh Republican presidential debate, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz found himself reprising roles from previous meetings with his rivals: media critic, anti-Washington crusader and target of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio. Full Story
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Comptroller Glenn Hegar launched a torrent of criticism at Moody’s Investors Service on Thursday after the credit rating agency released a report suggesting a drilling slowdown could eat up a projected $4 billion budget surplus by December. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott said Thursday he plans to "weigh in" on the 2016 presidential race ahead of the Texas primary, raising the possibility of an endorsement before March 1. Full Story
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In a race that has already seen its fair share of twists and turns, Ted Cruz is staring down an uncertainty unlike any other: whether his closest competition will show up for the last debate before the first-in-the-nation caucuses. Full Story
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Standing before a stained-glass triptych depicting the crucifixion of Jesus, Jared Woodfill, who is running for chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, spoke at length about his disappointment with his fellow conservatives. Full Story
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Despite a recent ad bashing Donald Trump for employing eminent domain for a parking lot, Ted Cruz has backed the Keystone XL and other pipeline projects that would use the same controversial tool to displace landowners. Full Story
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Ted Cruz's challenge to debate Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump one on one is evoking memories of Cruz's 2012 U.S. Senate campaign, when he applied similar pressure to then-Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. Full Story
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A new book, written by a veteran of the last days when Texas Democrats were winning statewide elections, takes a hard look at what hasn't been working for the last 20 years, and what might get the party's candidates out of their long, long slump. Full Story
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Texas matters when it comes to deciding the Democratic presidential nominee, and so far Hillary Clinton is way out in front of Bernie Sanders on one score — locking up superdelegates to the party convention. Full Story
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Ted Cruz is upping the ante in his challenge to Donald Trump for a one-on-one debate, naming a time and place for the showdown at a rally in Iowa on Wednesday evening. Full Story
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Senate Republicans unanimously selected state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, as the next chairman of their caucus at a meeting of the group Tuesday night. Full Story
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U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and some of his allies are increasingly signaling that they see more urgency than usual in prevailing in the Hawkeye State, where a win by Republican rival Donald Trump could snowball. Full Story
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State Rep. Ruth McClendon, D-San Antonio, has submitted a letter of resignation to Gov. Greg Abbott, effective Jan 31, the governor's office confirmed Tuesday. Full Story
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In the latest controversy over Syrians seeking refuge in Texas, the state’s top lawyer on Tuesday again asked a federal judge to halt the resettlement of people fleeing the war-torn country. Full Story
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While Comptroller Glenn Hegar tried to assure lawmakers that plummeting oil prices do not mean the Texas economy is headed for a nosedive, some worried Hegar was being overly optimistic. Full Story
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Long accustomed to traversing Iowa with a cast of local Republicans, presidential candidate Ted Cruz received some new company Tuesday in the form of a fellow Texan: former Gov. Rick Perry. Full Story
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Continued uncertainty over the provisions of a new state law allowing the open carry of handguns may prompt future legislative tinkering, Texas lawmakers said Tuesday. Full Story
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Lujan becomes the 99th Republican in the Texas House, one short of a supermajority, but will need to win again in the March primary and November general election to serve in the 2017 legislature. Full Story
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State senators on Tuesday urged Texas' six university system chancellors not to single out students who carry guns on campus when the state's new campus carry goes into effect this August. Full Story
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With Pope Francis scheduled to visit Ciudad Juárez next month, the area's Catholics are speculating whether the famously outspoken pontiff will bring up hot-button social issues such as immigration, poverty and corruption. Full Story
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