The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
Among lesser-known primary challengers to front-running GOP gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott, former talk show host Lisa Fritsch has bragging rights, besting the others in a recent opinion poll and a Tea Party contest. Full Story
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Texas Democrats find themselves in a position similar to that of the Houston Texans — wondering how to break a lengthy losing streak. Full Story
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Top GOP candidates in Texas have been burnishing their Second Amendment credentials by expressing support for looser gun laws. But Republicans' efforts could put them at odds with law enforcement groups. Full Story
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Tarrant County is both the largest reliably Republican county in Texas and ground zero for Democrats’ efforts to turn the state blue. Full Story
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This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: Gubernatorial candidates make it official, Rick Perry has something to say about Ted Cruz and Chris Christie, and Greg Abbott starts laying out his policy positions. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Cornyn earns Perry endorsement, says GOP must govern like "responsible adults"; Anderson released early from jail; two Texas Democrats break ranks with party on GOP bill to fix Affordable Care Act Full Story
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At his re-election campaign kickoff, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn stressed the need for Republicans to unite over where they agree and focus on defeating Democrats rather than each other. Full Story
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President Obama's apology for the latest glitch in the rollout of his signature legislative achievement is failing to convert skeptics in the Lone Star State. Full Story
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Your evening reading: comptroller candidates swap criticisms on taxes in forum; Perry sounds off on Obama's proposed fix on insurance cancellations; Davis filibuster worked into new episode of Parks and Recreation Full Story
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Ethics watchdogs are applauding gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott for proposing what would amount to a sea change in Texas ethics laws. Full Story
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State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, will take another step toward confirming a run for lieutenant governor by announcing that she will make a "major announcement" Nov. 23. Full Story
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Your evening reading: health exchange enrollment numbers are anemic in Texas; Sullivan says "NUTS" to Ethics Commission; Davis to meet big-buck Democratic donors in D.C. Full Story
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Michael Quinn Sullivan rejected a proposed settlement from the Texas Ethics Commission with a simple response: the word "NUTS" where his signature would have gone. Full Story
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As promised, state Sen. Leticia Van De Putte, D-San Antonio, said she would make a formal annoncement about her future plans on Nov. 23 in an email sent to supporters Friday. She is expected to run for lieutenant governor. Full Story
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In his third TV ad of the campaign season, state Sen. Dan Patrick champions Second Amendment rights and his opposition to President Obama. Full Story
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Wendy Davis formally filed to run for governor over the weekend. But since her announcement in early October, only a handful of other Democrats have announced for other statewide posts up and down the ballot. Full Story
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The challengers to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst so far have not been shy at hammering the incumbent for his perceived faults. On Tuesday, they laid another pressing problem of Texas Republicans at his feet — Wendy Davis. Full Story
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Your evening reading: House investigators issue, then quickly recall Hall subpoena; Dewhurst asks Congress to check if NSA spied on gun owners; O'Keefe turns focus on Dallas "navigators" in his latest hidden camera video Full Story
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Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst on Tuesday called for a congressional investigation into whether the National Security Agency's domestic spying program has ever targeted gun owners, kept a list of firearms purchases or tracked gunshow visits. Full Story
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Malachi Boyuls, a Republican candidate for the Texas Railroad Commission, introduces himself and his family in a new video ad. Full Story
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