Texas Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick won't be running for comptroller, after entertaining that possibility for several weeks. Susan Combs isn't seeking reelection, but in a statement, Craddick said she's out of it: "I did give this opportunity considerable thought, however, I have concluded that I can best serve the people of Texas by continuing to oversee a stable and positive regulatory climate for Texas' thriving energy industry."
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst named his campaign team: Ryan Hecker, campaign manager; Travis Considine, communications; Eliza Vielma, digital and social strategy.
Sen. Glenn Hegar, R-Katy, announced his comptroller campaign team: Rob Johnson, general consultant; David White, senior advisor; Keri Mason, finance director; Elizabeth White, political director. The announcement said that “Longtime Senator Hegar advisor Todd Smith will play an important role in the campaign,” but didn’t say what that will be.
Rep. Dan Branch picked up endorsements from 53 of the House’s 95 Republicans for his bid for attorney general. Sen. Ken Paxton picked up endorsements from 23. That leaves 19 to fight over.
Rep. Van Taylor, R-Plano, will run for Sen. Ken Paxton’s seat, now that Paxton, R-McKinney, is running for attorney general in 2014. Taylor claims the endorsements of all of the incumbent House members whose districts overlap the Senate district: Jodie Laubenberg, Scott Turner, Angie Chen Button, Scott Sanford, Jeff Leach and Stefani Carter. All are Republicans. Frisco City Councilman Scott Johnson is also expected to be in the race for Paxton’s Senate seat.
Fort Worth attorney and businessman Tom Schieffer is joining the Texas Central Railway effort to bring high-speed rail to the state, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The former lawmaker and gubernatorial candidate will be an advisor to the effort led by Central Japan Railway.
Pending regents' approval: Billy Hamilton will be the new executive vice chancellor and CFO at the Texas A&M University System. Hamilton was deputy comptroller of public accounts under A&M Chancellor John Sharp. And he's a big Longhorn, too.
Caleb Troxclair is the new chief of staff and legal counsel to Texas Railroad Commissioner David Porter; he was previously with state Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford. Porter’s former chief, Amy Maxwell, is leaving to start a lobby practice.
Former state Rep. Jim Solis, D-Harlingen, was sentenced to 47 months in federal prison and ordered to forfeit $250,000 in property and pay $120,000 in restitution for his part in bribing a state district judge in return for favorable rulings.
Deaths: Jack Hightower, former state legislator, district attorney, congressman, and Texas Supreme Court Justice. He was 86.