The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
Weighing in on the controversial candidacy of Donald Trump, President Obama ridiculed the so-called "Republican establishment" for being "shocked" by the billionaire's rise to presidential frontrunner. Full Story
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Texas’ Republican leadership has stifled voter turnout, and the public sector should do more to encourage online voting and other civic engagement, President Barack Obama said in an interview Friday with Tribune CEO and Editor-in-Chief Evan Smith. Full Story
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U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz ratcheted up his criticisms Friday of Donald Trump during an event at an evangelical church in Orlando, painting the real estate mogul as an active participant in what Cruz has long labeled the "D.C. cartel." Full Story
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In South Texas, a candidate named Dolly Elizondo had a chance to make history as the first Latina from Texas to serve in Congress. Those involved say she struggled to translate national interest into sufficient local support. Full Story
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Wayne Christian, a candidate for Texas railroad commissioner, frequently touts his energy expertise. But he did not know one of the agency’s key duties — regulating natural gas utilities — until a reporter told him. Full Story
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Elections always raise obvious questions, like "Who'll be the next president?" and less obvious ones, like "Who would replace a U.S. senator from Texas if he won the presidential election?" Full Story
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While the political world focuses on Ohio and Florida, Ted Cruz is hoping to take advantage of a relatively open field in three other states that vote Tuesday: Illinois, Missouri and North Carolina. Full Story
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South by Southwest got a visit Friday from President Obama, who sat down with Texas Tribune CEO and Editor-in-Chief Evan Smith for a conversation focused on civic engagement in a digital age. Watch the interview here. Full Story
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The Republican presidential hopefuls were on their best behavior at Thursday night's debate, with almost no insults, ad hominem attacks, mockery or commentary about candidate appendages. Full Story
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Challenger Hugh Shine secured victory Thursday in the Republican primary for Texas House District 55, defeating incumbent state Rep. Molly White by 104 votes after a recount, according to Bell County GOP chairwoman Nancy Boston. Full Story
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Jeff Mateer, tapped by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Wednesday to be the state's first assistant attorney amid a staffing shakeup, has built his career as a tenacious champion of religious expression in the public square. Full Story
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U.S. Sen. Mike Lee of Utah on Thursday announced his support for Ted Cruz for president, giving Cruz his first endorsement from a colleague in the upper chamber. Full Story
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With an escalating culinary battle threatening to destabilize the region, the mayors of Austin and San Antonio met Thursday morning to announce a taco truce. Full Story
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Chip Roy, the former first assistant attorney general of Texas, has joined a super PAC supporting the presidential campaign of his old boss, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. Full Story
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The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed Wednesday to take up the Texas voter ID case, adding another chapter to the law’s convoluted journey through the federal court system. Full Story
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A new group has joined the chorus lambasting Texas for resisting court-ordered reforms to its foster care system: its own employees who work with children. Full Story
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U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has added former GOP presidential rival Carly Fiorina to his list of endorsements. On Wednesday, the former Hewlett Packard CEO joined Cruz onstage during a rally in Miami. Full Story
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After questions about a special Senate committee hearing in San Antonio, and the appearance there of a challenger to House Speaker Joe Straus, state Sen. Paul Bettencourt makes a fairly strong case that there’s nothing to see here. Full Story
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Several experts worry that the low-lying residential areas in the Houston region are now more vulnerable to storms. Read more in our "Hell and High Water" project, done in collaboration with ProPublica. Full Story
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At a packed Travis County GOP executive committee meeting Tuesday night, it took less than a minute for someone to acknowledge the elephant not in the room — newly elected chair Robert Morrow. Full Story
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