Barry Smitherman resigned his post as chairman of the Public Utility Commission, and Gov. Rick Perry quickly appointed him to the Texas Railroad Commission. He says he will run for election to the office — he's not a placeholder — and he demurred when asked if he thinks it's a good idea to merge his new agency with his old one. That's on the Sunset Advisory Commission's plate for the next legislative session, after lawmakers left that question unanswered this year.

Ted Cruz picked up endorsements from George P. Bush and from the Hispanic Republicans of Texas for his bid for U.S. Senate. He's hoping to replace Kay Bailey Hutchison, who's not seeking reelection next year.

Gov. Rick Perry appointed Michael "Mike" Hughes of Ingram, the former owner of the Broken Arrow Ranch, to the Upper Guadalupe River Authority's board

Press corps moves, part 2: In last week's episode, Robert Wood moved from the Texas State Network, where he's been reporting for radio stations around the state, to the Texas Association of Business. Fear not. Scott Braddock is coming to Austin from Dallas next month to take the TSN job and to report for several Austin radio stations.