The Cook Political Report calls Bill White the strongest Democratic candidate since Ann Richards — possibly strong enough to oust Rick Perry.
State Government
Stay informed on Texas state government with The Texas Tribune’s in-depth coverage of the governor, Legislature, state agencies, and policies shaping the future of Texas.
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Demographics
TribBlog: DPS to Spring Breakers: Ten Cuidado
Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw issued a warning today to spring breakers planning to travel to Mexican border cities like Juarez or Nuevo Laredo: Don’t.
Posted in
Economy
TribBlog: Texas Unemployment Rises
More than 1 million Texans were unemployed in January, according to new numbers from the Texas Workforce Commission. Unemployment in the state hit 8.6 percent in January, up from 8 percent the month before and 6.8 percent in January 2009. The comparable national rate was 10.6 percent.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: March 4, 2010
U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison’s supporters have had over 24 hours to get through the seven stages of the grieving process. But there’s a little known eighth stage: deciding if they can support the man that defeated her.
Posted inState Government
What Happened Was…
Now that the battle is over in the Republican primary for governor, the pundits can begin the task of figuring out what worked for Rick Perry — and what didn’t for Kay Bailey Hutchison. Ben Philpott, who’s covering the 2010 elections for the Tribune and KUT News, shares an early post-election view from two veteran strategists.
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Demographics
The Elefante in the Room
Railroad Commission Chairman Victor Carrillo, a seven-year incumbent with a background in the industry he regulates, got trounced in the GOP primary on Tuesday by an unknown, David Porter, who spent little money on the race. He’s not the only one who thinks his Hispanic surname cost him his job.
Posted inState Government
Starting Over
The real gift to Gov. Rick Perry on Tuesday wasn’t the win over Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Debra Medina in the GOP primary, which was foretold in the polls. It was the quick win. A runoff would have gobbled six weeks and something like $10 million and might have left the winner bruised on the way into a battle with Democrat Bill White, who easily bested six others in his party’s primary. So how does November look from here?
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State Government
Once More, With Feeling
One candidate lost on Tuesday by 11 votes out of more than 10,000 cast. Others lost by fewer than 200 votes. Anyone up for a recount?
Posted inState Government
Surprise!
Not every race turned out the way political insiders — or the candidates themselves — anticipated. Here are a dozen primary races that defied conventional wisdom, stunned the incumbents and shocked the longshots.