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U.S. Sens.Ted Cruz at the GOP presidential debate in Detroit, Michigan on March 3, 2016.

Ted Cruz's presidential campaign has raised $1.5 million in the couple of days after the Republican candidate beat expectations on Saturday and won more delegates than any of his rivals did.

Cruz spokeswoman Alice Stewart made the announcement Monday morning in an appearance on CNN, calling the haul the campaign's "largest fundraising date to date."

"That goes to show people are rallying behind Ted," Stewart said. "They realize he is the one that can take on Donald Trump."

On Saturday, Cruz handily captured victory in the caucuses in Kansas and Maine. He lost to Trump, the billionaire front-runner, by single digits in the caucus in Kentucky and the primary in Louisiana.

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Cruz added on Tuesday a number of prominent Republican donors to his presidential campaign's finance team:

•    Neil and Maria Bush of Houston
•    Dick and Meg Weekley of Houston
•    John and Ann Bookout of Houston
•    Ashley Keller of Chicago, Illinois
•    Don and Mary Catherine Huffines of Dallas
•    Phillip and Holly Huffines of Dallas
•    Cecilia and Jim Leininger of San Antonio

Several of those named, like Weekley and Bookout, are bold-faced names in the GOP donor world. But the support also indicates Cruz is beginning to consolidate the Texas GOP donor world behind his campaign. A year ago, donors were largely fractured among many campaigns, with candidates who had deep ties to the state.

Neil Bush, in particular, is a key pickup — he is the brother of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and President George W. Bush.

Don Huffines, the Dallas state senator, is a frequent donor who previously backed the presidential bid of U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky.

Leininger is the founder of the Texas Public Policy Foundation and a longtime backer of former Gov. Rick Perry.

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Cruz is among three Republican presidential candidates meeting with one of their former rivals, Jeb Bush, in the lead-up to the Florida primary.

Bush, the former governor of Florida, plans to huddle with Cruz, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida over the "next couple days," according to a spokeswoman for Bush, Kristy Campbell. She did not have any other details.

The group of candidates Bush is meeting with does not include Donald Trump, whom Bush repeatedly clashed with before dropping out of the race last month.

It is not known whether Bush plans to make an endorsement before the winner-take-all primary Tuesday in Florida. The GOP candidates are descending on Miami for a debate Thursday.

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The political reform group No Labels announced Tuesday that it is adding former U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, to its advisory board.

Hutchison, who was a senator from 1993 to 2013, said in a statement, “The vitriol of the presidential campaign has only helped to bring the issue of partisan politics to the foreground, and there is an urgent need to address it. ... I am hopeful that, with this team, and with my fellow co-chairs at No Labels, we can create a new paradigm in Washington, one focused on setting goals and working together.”

Started in 2010, No Labels was founded in an attempt to persuade Democrats and Republicans to pursue solutions together to the nation’s most pressing needs.

Enlarge Bob Daemmrich

Texas Education Agency chief Mike Morath, r, with Gov. Greg Abbott announce an Education Superhighway partnership on Mar. 10, 2016.

Gov. Greg Abbott has asked the state’s education commissioner (Mike Morath), higher education commissioner (Raymond Paredes) and a workforce commissioner (Andres Alcantar) to take a closer look at what’s needed to prepare students better for entering the workforce.

The three men will hold hearings across the state between now and September to help them with their findings and recommendations. The cities to be visited include Midland, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, El Paso, McAllen, Tyler/Longview and Austin.

Abbott this week also accepted Site Selection magazine’s annual "Governor’s Cup" on Wednesday, the fourth consecutive time Texas has won the award for capital investment and job creation and the seventh time since 2004.

Sitting next to all of those trophies, which he joked would soon require a bigger table, Abbott said the state has “built the platform that establishes the right policies that attract businesses to come here and grow here.”

Abbott also condemned Tuesday’s terrorist attacks in Israel that resulted in the stabbing death of native Texan Taylor Force, who was visiting the country as a graduate student at Vanderbilt University. Abbott had visited the country recently on a business development trip and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“It came as a stunning shock to me to learn earlier today that in the great nation that I just visited, a Texan lost his life because of a terrorist attack,” Abbott said. “I strongly condemn that terrorism and reiterate the way that Texas will stand side by side with our friend and ally Israel on doing all that we can to stomp out terroristic activities like this in Israel.”

Abbott added that he has no plans to meet with President Barack Obama when the commander-in-chief visits Texas this Friday. The governor blasted Obama’s handling of border security again Wednesday, but declined to say whether the border between Texas and Mexico needs a wall, deferring that decision to the next president.

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In an op-ed, the board of directors of the Austin Young Republicans is calling on newly elected Travis County Republican Party Chairman Robert Morrow “to step aside and not assume” leadership of the party.

The leadership of the Austin Young Republicans, which represents members from 18 to 40, noted that just 45,000 of the more than 80,000 who voted in the Tuesday primary election participated in the party chairman election.

The op-ed reads in part:

“The drop-off in voter participation for down ballot races is not surprising. The result of this particular race, however, is truly dumbfounding: sitting Chairman James Dickey was bested by a lewd, foul-mouthed conspiracy theorist, Robert Morrow. … If elections have consequences, the effects for Republicans in Travis County could not be more ominous. The role of the party chairman is to elect Republicans to public office, and in liberal Travis County, Republicans cannot afford to have the public face of our party conduct himself in such a disgusting, unprofessional manner.”

Austin Republican state Rep. Paul Workman joined in later this week in calling on Morrow to step aside.

In a statement, Workman said, “Robert Morrow is an embarrassment to the Travis County Republican Party. His vulgar, profanity-laced outbursts in no way represent my values, the values of our party, or the beliefs of Republican voters. … I stand with the many Republicans in our community who have condemned Mr. Morrow’s behavior, and I call on him to do the honorable thing and allow someone else to become the Travis County Republican Party Chairman.”

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For this week’s nonscientific survey of insiders in government and politics, we asked about those upcoming party primary runoffs.

With the first round of the party primaries behind us, we thought now would be a good time to poll the insiders on what we can expect from the May 24 primary runoff elections.

We started by asking which of the upcoming runoffs in races previously featured in the Hotlist would be the most expensive. The insiders ranked the runoff contests for the two open state Senate seats as the ones that would spur the most campaign expenditures. Next up on the list was the congressional runoff between two Lubbock candidates for the open seat that stretches across large swaths of West Texas.

That was followed by the runoff for the Central Texas House seat where incumbent Doug Miller was drawn into overtime by a challenger from his right, Kyle Biedermann. Next up was another contest featuring a House incumbent in a runoff, Wayne Smith, followed by the race for the open South Texas congressional seat being vacated by Rubén Hinojosa.

The runoff featuring incumbent Missouri City Democrat Ron Reynolds trying to hold on to his seat was identified as the race that will draw the least amount of spending.

Next up, we asked whether the voters who turn out for the runoff elections in a couple of months would exhibit more partisan tendencies than those who voted in the first round of the primaries. On this question, 80 percent of the insiders thought the runoff voters would tilt more hardly partisan.

On the next question, we asked which of those three House incumbents mentioned above would win re-election. The insiders were most confident about Miller's chances, with 64 percent saying that he would win. Smith was favored to win by 61 percent of the insiders.

The insiders were less bullish on Reynolds' prospects but fully 50 percent thought that he, too, would win re-election.

We closed by asking for a quick two-sentence analysis of the message sent by the voters in last week's primary elections with a few representative comments listed below.

We collected comments along the way, and a full set of those is attached. Here’s a sampling:

Enlarge Emily Albracht

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Rank the following runoff contests, from most expensive (1) to least expensive (7).

Enlarge Emily Albracht

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What's your prediction about the voters who will turn out for the runoff elections?

• "In the Republican primary, with Trump off the ballot, these decisions will be made by the purely partisan voters. Probably the same can be said for having Bernie off the ballot on the Democrat side."

• "That is not the right question for Republicans this cycle. Real issue: the runoff will see no voters who voted in the Republican primary for the first time ever on March 1."

• "Trumpsters voted for familiar names down ballot, which was the opposite of what they did at the top of the ballot."

• "Runoff voters skew upwards toward 5R & 5D voters."

• "Always watch the person in second place."

Enlarge Emily Albracht

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Which of these incumbents will win their runoff election?

• "Not sure, but it's damn harder now than it used to be to run as an incumbent."

Tell us what you think. In two sentences or less, analyze last week's primary elections.

• "You are about to witness a McGovern-style exodus, but this time it will be the Reagan Republicans leaving the party."

• "I think the Michael Quinn Sullivan party shored up their strongholds but lost ground in districts they hoped to infiltrate."

• "1) Great night for Texas Supreme Court incumbents; 2) Dunn at al. live to fight another day."

• "Trump-Morrow 2016"

• "The anti-Straus crew might crack 20 votes this time around; otherwise, business as usual in the House, while the Senate gets even more 'conservatarian.'"

• "The laws of gravity and politics are still in play. Resources and disciplined campaign tactics prevailed over rookie attempts to create a new political reality."

Our thanks to this week's participants: Cathie Adams, Jay Arnold, Charles Bailey, Allen Blakemore, Raif Calvert, Kerry Cammack, Snapper Carr, Elna Christopher, Randy Cubriel, Beth Cubriel, Denise Davis, June Deadrick, Glenn Deshields, Tom Duffy, David Dunn, Jon Fisher, Stephanie Gibson, Bruce Gibson, Eric Glenn, Kinnan Golemon, Daniel Gonzalez, John Greytok, Bill Hammond, Susan Hays, Steve Holzheauser, Kathy Hutto, Deborah Ingersoll, Mark Jones, Robert Kepple, Richard Khouri, Tom Kleinworth, Pete Laney, Luke Legate, Ruben Longoria, Matt Mackowiak, Steve Minick, Mike Moses, Nef Partida, Gardner Pate, Robert Peeler, Tom Phillips, Allen Place, Gary Polland, Jay Pritchard, Jay Propes, Ted Melina Raab, Karen Reagan, Patrick Reinhart, David Reynolds, A.J. Rodriguez, Grant Ruckel, Barbara Schlief, Stan Schlueter, Robert Scott, Bruce Scott, Ben Sebree, Ed Small, Leonard Spearman, Dennis Speight, Colin Strother, Sherry Sylvester, Trey Trainor, David White, Darren Whitehurst, Seth Winick, Peck Young, Angelo Zottarelli.

Enlarge Todd Wiseman

Sunday, March 13

• Daylight Saving Time starts
• Texas Tribune/ProPublica SXSW Party — How High is the Water? A Data Visualization Party; 800 W. Cesar Chavez St., B101, Austin (5-7 p.m.)

Tuesday, March 15

• Presidential nominating contests: Florida primary, Illinois primary, Missouri primary, North Carolina primary, Ohio primary

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. On Wednesday, former GOP presidential candidate Carly Fiorina also announced her support for Cruz's bid for the White House.

The Texas Supreme Court has been asked by an Austin resident, who is supported by Uber, to weigh in on the ballot language for a new measure regulating vehicle-for-hire companies within the city, scheduled to come before voters on May 7.

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.

State Sen. John Whitmire said Thursday afternoon he believes the gun used in the predawn shooting of his Houston area-office was likely an AR-15 assault rifle. He said it's too early to speculate about a motive or possible suspect.

More than 18 years after killing five people with five shots from a hunting rifle, Coy Wayne Wesbrook, 58, was executed Wednesday evening.

After months of speculation that the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin could be canceled this year, organizers say the race is on — and they're bringing in Taylor Swift on race weekend to help shake off the organization’s financial woes.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz on Tuesday night won the the Idaho GOP presidential primary, and placed second to Donald Trump in Michigan, Mississippi and Hawaii.

He's taking calls from Mitt Romney. Adding Bushes to his finance team. Winning over Lindsey Graham. As he emerges as the chief alternative to Donald Trump, Ted Cruz is experiencing a twist of fate no one could have seen coming a year ago: He is drawing the attention — and support — of a Republican establishment he has built his political career brutalizing.

Texas saw record turnout numbers in last week’s presidential primaries, but it still had one of the lowest voting-age participation rates of the states that have held primaries so far. Even narrowing the analysis to groups who are eligible to vote doesn't improve the state's second-to-last ranking behind Louisiana.

Nearly three years after Texas enacted a law requiring some applicants for unemployment benefits to pass a drug test, the state has yet to test a single applicant, and it remains unclear when the program will get going. Texas and other states are stuck waiting on the federal government to implement rules needed to move forward.

With an escalating culinary battle threatening to destabilize the region, Austin Mayor Steve Adler and San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor met Thursday morning to announce a taco truce in the great Breakfast Taco War of 2016.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller — who caused a stir last year by pardoning a cupcake and reversing a longstanding ban on deep fryers and soda machines in schools — pushed back Thursday against those who say his policies encourage kids to eat unhealthily.

Corpus Christi will be the third city Uber has left this year in response to local laws. In February, the company ceased operations in Galveston and Midland after the cities voted to enact background-check requirements.

After a 20-month free fall, West Texas crude prices thudded to a milestone last month — one that could bring some tax relief to small-time producers in Texas, state Comptroller Glenn Hegar said this week. For the first time in 11 years, low prices have triggered a tax exemption for certain wells.

Disclosure: Steve Adler is a major donor and former board chairman of The Texas Tribune. Uber is a corporate sponsor of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Wednesday a few appointments to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. He named Arcilia Acosta of Dallas for a term to expire Aug. 31, 2019, reappointed Javaid Anwar of Midland for a term to expire Aug. 31, 2021, and named Ricky Raven of Sugar Land and Stuart W. Stedman of Houston to terms to expire Aug. 31, 2021.

Abbott also appointed Warren T. Ayres and Shelley Sweatt, both of Wichita Falls, and reappointed Tiffany Burks of Grand Prairie to the Midwestern State University Board of Regents for terms to expire Feb. 25, 2022.

Abbott made a handful of appointments on Tuesday to the Texas Animal Health Commission. Jim Eggleston of Weatherford and Stephen Selman of Woodway were appointed to terms to expire Sept. 6, 2021, while Leo Vermedahl of Dalhart was named to a term to expire Sept. 6, 2017. Coleman Locke of Hungerford was designated the board’s presiding officer and reappointed to a term to expire Sept. 6, 2021.

Abbott appointed Sandra “Lynn” Criner of Needville and Jessica Quillivan of Magnolia and reappointed Keith Pardue of Austin to the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners for terms to expire Aug. 26, 2021. He also designated Roland Lenarduzzi of Alvin as the board’s presiding officer.

Abbott announced on Thursday three appointments to Humanities Texas. Laurie Morian of Houston, Ellen K. Ramsey of Midland and Stephanie Tucker of Houston were named to terms to expire Dec. 31, 2017.

Chip Roy resigned this week as First Assistant Attorney General and took over as executive director for Trusted Leadership PAC, a super PAC supporting his former boss, Ted Cruz. Replacing Roy in the AG’s shop is Jeff Mateer, who was general counsel for First Liberty Institute, a religious liberty law firm.

John Specia Jr. announced last Friday afternoon that he will step down as Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Commissioner at the end of May. Specia, who previously served as a family law judge, took over as DFPS commissioner in December 2012.

Former Railroad Commissioner candidate John Greytok said Wednesday that he’s endorsing Wayne Christian in the May 24 Republican runoff for the open seat. Christian squares off against Gary Gates in the contest.

Republican GOP Senate hopeful Bryan Hughes announced an endorsement from Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith in his bid to win the open seat in SD-1.

And Mike Lee, the fourth-place finisher in the open SD-1 GOP contest, has endorsed David Simpson for the May 24 runoff election.

In the SD-24 runoff, outgoing state Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, has endorsed his House colleague, Abilene Republican Susan King. Also endorsing King was Jon Cobb, who finished third in the first round of voting.

Former HD-33 candidate Lorne Liechty endorsed Justin Holland for the Republican runoff for the open House seat that represents Rockwall County and portions of Collin County.

Corpus Christi banker R. Scott Heitkamp was elected to serve as the next chairman of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) for 2016-17.

Jim Grace and Jennifer McEwan, formerly of Greenberg Traurig, have formed their own consulting shop, Grace & McEwan Consulting LLC. According to a Monday announcement, Grace will have his office in Houston while McEwan will have her office in Austin. Their new venture will take clients at the federal, state and local levels.

Disclosure: Javaid Anwar is a major donor to The Texas Tribune. Stuart Stedman is a donor to The Texas Tribune. Greenberg Traurig is a corporate sponsor of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.