Rick Perry will undoubtedly get his way in naming the next chancellor of the University of Texas System. Kyle Janek, the executive commissioner of Texas Health and Human Services and a former state senator and lobbyist, appears to be Perry’s choice for the job. Will regents question his fitness for
A lesson in how not to run a campaign.
The man expected to become the next governor of Texas shows that he lacks political judgment.
It’s worth spending some time perusing the Texas Tribune‘s revealing graph tracking candidates’ ad buys in the major markets of the state. Of the various graphs reflecting candidates’ network TV expenditures leading up to the March 4 primary elections, the most significant one was the comparison between Hegar
Who has the power in the Republican party--and how are they using it?
Joe Straus’s enemies are out in force once again, trying to make a mountain out of a molehill — namely, the issue of diverting gasoline tax revenue to other uses. Let me state unequivocally that diversions are a phony issue. They are not an affront to transparency. The only diversion
What the candidates running for lieutenant governor are saying in their campaign says a lot about Texas.
Can Debra Medina throw a monkey wrench into the race for comptroller? She doesn’t have the money to compete with the two leading candidates, Hegar and Hilderbran, but she has residual name I.D. and a loyal following left over from her 2010 race for governor. (See my colleague Erica Grieder’s
Was Wendy Davis smart to embrace open carry? I think not. In the end, a lot more of her core constituency will be disappointed than will be elated. And I don’t see that she has much to gain. Greg Abbott long ago wrapped up the support of the
For years Harris County politics has been controlled by a small group of political operatives and consultants. Foremost among these is Steven Hotze, a doctor who heads an organization called the Conservative Republicans of Texas (CRT). The CRT and other groups Hotze is affiliated with send out mailers
Attorney general Greg Abbott’s $345 million border security plan is almost certainly doomed to fail. The border region is so huge and comprises so many millions of acres that it defies the ability of state government to enforce whatever security issues may arise. Every Republican candidate this election cycle has
Why the evolution of the Republican primary into a race to the far right is a sad moment in Texas politics.
The four contenders for the Republican primary met last week during the Texas Medical Association's Winter Conference. Did their proposals add up?
UPDATE: I spoke with a friend and high-ranking official at Texas A&M who reminded me that the Aggies have the lowest tuition of any school in the prestigious Association of American Universities.The news from Texas A&M that the board of regents is contemplating an increase in tuition and fees at
I thought President Obama’s State of the Union address was pretty predictable. In past years he has used the speech to lay out what amounts to a laundry list of his programs for Democrats to use in the upcoming congressional elections. And that’s exactly what he did. What was not
It's time to move away from biography and on to the issues that matter to Texans.
The situation in Fort Worth, in which a pregnant woman named Marlise Muñoz was brain dead and was carrying an abnormal fetus, is truly tragic for the family. It was revolting to see Dan Patrick try to exploit the situation to demand that Texas law be changed, following a decision
In the eight years or so that I have been writing this blog, I have invited a couple of writers, such as Patricia Kilday Hart and Nate Blakeslee, to contribute posts. But for the most part, it has been me and me alone. So I’m pleased to announce that I’ve
If 2014 is the year everything is supposed to change in Texas politics, why do the campaigns feel so irrelevant?
The missteps aren't just by the candidate. They are by the campaign.
If 2014 is the year everything is supposed to change in Texas politics, why do the campaigns feel so irrelevant?
What does the math of a speaker's race show? Joe Straus is nearly impossible to beat.
Red McCombs proves that money doesn't buy brains when it comes to UT football.
News flash: Steve Stockman has no chance to beat John Cornyn. So why is the media writing all of these stories?
A fight over the interim president grips Texas A&M.
One stage, four candidates, and countless opportunities to try to burnish credentials.
Is is Rick Perry versus John Sharp when it comes to naming an interim president at Texas A&M?
The lieutenant governor flexes his financial muscle.
What the late filings mean for 2014.
Who is safe--and who is in danger--in the 2014 primary?
I take a dim view of Dan Branch’s campaign for attorney general. A former member of our Best legislators list, Branch is in the process of ruining himself by running away from who he really is, which is a mainstream Republican. On Sunday, the Houston Chronicle
Wendy Davis jumps into two contentious issues--not a moment too soon for her campaign.
With a little luck--and some perfectly smoked brisket--the 84th Legislature will correct a longstanding wrong and make barbecue the official state dish.
It's 2010 all over again: Bonnie Parker is challenging Sarah Davis for HD 134.
Is the House Republican from Amarillo a potential challenger for Speaker Joe Straus?
Nathan Hecht, the recently sworn-in Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas, is a disgrace: a judge who ignores the spirit of the law.
The popular historian leaves behind an impressive body of work.
For the second time this election season, I have to ask: Where's Wendy Davis?
Michael Quinn Sullivan looks to be a main protagonist in the Republican Civil War.
State senator Leticia Van de Putte throws her hat in the ring for lieutenant governor.
What we learned about Dallas that fateful day.
Agriculture commissioner Todd Staples is showing new signs of life in his race for lieutenant governor.
Why Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone.
What are the potential conflicts of interest in the Texas Enterprise Fund involving a close friend of Rick Perry's?
Democrats look to take a shot at at least two incumbent Republicans in the Legislature in 2014.
The gubernatorial candidate hasn't been seen much on the campaign trail.
What the lieutenant governor is doing is not what he should be doing if he wants to win in 2014.
He is on the verge of becoming a complete failure as president.
I was aghast when chili was first anointed our official state dish. More than 35 years later, my feelings about this greasy mush haven't changed.
The attorney general's latest revelation of his campaign platform represents a continuation of his tea-party oriented campaign.
