Enlarge Darren Abate

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a Rotary Club of San Antonio luncheon on March 23, 2016.

Gov. Greg Abbott is asking every other governor in the United States to join Texas in rejecting President Barack Obama's call for states to lift their sanctions against Iran.

In a letter released Tuesday evening, Abbott urges his 49 counterparts across the country to "chart a similar path" to the one Texas has taken by resisting Obama's request for states to review their Iran sanctions. Abbott informed the White House earlier this month that Texas would not only keep its sanctions, but also that it would pursue further restrictions on investing and doing business in Iran.

"I write today to urge you to join me and demonstrate support for our allies in Israel by establishing, maintaining or strengthening your state’s sanctions against Iran," Abbott wrote to his fellow governors.

Abbott is a vocal opponent of Obama's nuclear agreement with Iran, a country he says cannot be trusted. Abbott reiterates that opposition in the letter released Tuesday, saying, "Entering into an agreement with a country that consistently calls for 'death to America' and articulates anti-Semitic policies is short-sighted and ignores geopolitical realities."

Abbott's office also announced Tuesday evening that he had signed a letter condemning the boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement, which advocates such actions against Israel.

The "Governors Against BDS" letter, an initiative of the American Jewish Committee, calls the goals of the movement "antithetical to our values and the values of our respective states."

Abbott's pro-Israel moves came the same day he met with Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer in Dallas, according to his office.

***** 

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry had a lot to say about the presidential race during an interview with Fox News on Thursday. The former candidate predicted that Donald Trump "will peel [Hillary Clinton's] skin off in a debate setting" and Ted Cruz will eventually endorse Trump. 

"We all get our feelings hurt," Perry said of Cruz. "This was a tough old race. Having been involved with it and having run for the presidency two times – it's not bean bag and you better have a thick skin."

Perry added that, "at the end of the day, this is about America" and "Senator Cruz loves this country. He's a great patriot and at the end of the day he's going to be helping the Republican nominee."

Perry's interview came after a speech Clinton gave earlier in the day that attacked Trump and his credibility for the presidency. When asked whether her criticisms would stick, Perry said they would have little effect on the presumptive Republican nominee. 

“I think it’s just off the skin of the duck, I mean off the back of a duck," Perry said. "It’s just water flowing out of her that’s not having any impact."

*****

The Texas GOP announced Tuesday afternoon that Land Commissioner George P. Bush will head up its efforts in the 2016 general election.

As 2016 Victory Chairman, Bush will organize and raise money for Texas Republicans on the ballot in November. The role was held in 2014 by Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick.

"I am honored to serve as Victory Chairman," Bush said in a statement. "I look forward to working with grassroots conservatives across the state as we keep Texas red on Election Day so that we can continue to showcase Texas as the most conservative state in America."

*****

The Texas Department of State Health Services announced last week a $2 million campaign to inform Texans what steps they should take to "not give Zika a biting chance."

The campaign will include public service announcements and advertisements with tips to avoid mosquitoes, with specific focus on people who travel to and from Latin America or other areas with a continuing threat of Zika. It will also seek to inform pregnant women due to the unique threat Zika poses to women who are infected while carrying a child.

The campaign will be paid for through federal public health emergency preparedness funds.

Enlarge The Texas Tribune/Bob Daemmrich

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz reflects on his presidential campaign push during a Texas Tribune interview in Dallas May 14, 2016.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, made his first media appearance late last week since returning from a vacation following his failed presidential campaign. Here are some highlights from his interview with Oklahoma radio host Pat Campbell:

•    Cruz provided a lengthy explanation for why he chose to drop out of the race after losing the Indiana primary, easily his most extensive remarks on the topic yet. He blamed the media for dampening his momentum after winning a series of contests in April, suggesting that Donald Trump's perceived inevitability kept Cruz supporters from showing up at the polls.

•    Cruz would not budge on the issue of whether he will support Trump. He reiterated he hopes the party has a nominee "who will actually defend conservative principles." Told that Trump "doesn't live up to those standards you're setting," Cruz replied, "Well, I hope that he will."

•    Cruz would not say whether he plans to release his delegates before Cleveland, as U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida said Thursday he would do. Cruz only said he is "looking and listening to see what the candidates do."

•    Asked about Trump's past suggestion he will push to change the GOP platform when it comes to abortion, Cruz reiterated he and his supporters "intend to do everything we can to fight for conservative principles to prevent Washington forces from watering down the platform."

•    Cruz continued to praise U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine of Oklahoma, who chaired Cruz's campaign in the state and whom Cruz is backing for re-election. Cruz called Bridenstine a "rock star" and said "the reason Jim has a primary challenger ... is Jim is willing to stand up to leadership, willing to stand up to folks like [former House Speaker] John Boehner, and leadership hates it."

*****

And in Cruz alumni news, Ken Cuccinelli, who led the delegate-wrangling operation for Ted Cruz's presidential campaign, is joining FreedomWorks Foundation as general counsel, the conservative group announced Wednesday morning.

Cuccinelli, the former attorney general of Virginia, was brought in during the final weeks of Cruz's campaign to prepare for a potentially contested Republican National Convention.

*****

U.S. Housing Secretary Julián Castro will speak next month at the Texas Democratic Convention, the state party announced Wednesday morning.

Castro, rumored to be a potential running mate for Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton, will address the convention on June 17, according to the party. The gathering is being held from June 16-18 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Castro's hometown.

Castro's twin brother, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, is also scheduled to speak at the convention.

*****

Talking with the Tribune’s Julián Aguilar, U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-San Antonio, repeated on Thursday that he’s not yet throwing his support behind presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Hurd explains that he’s basing his reluctance to endorse on Trump’s lack of “a real national security plan.” Hurd’s opponent in the fall, Pete Gallego, has repeatedly called on Hurd to spell out whether he supports Trump.

Here’s Hurd’s complete response:

“I’ve said this before: Until he shows he can respect women and minorities and has a real national security plan, I am going to reserve my endorsement. He has seven months to convince me and the rest of the country. The only reason my opponent continues to bring this up is he wants to hide the fact that he was a failure in Congress over two years. And that’s why they want to make this [campaign] a focus of things that have nothing to do with the level of service that’s being given to the 23rd district.”

Hurd defeated Gallego for the CD-23 seat — the only swing congressional district in Texas — in 2014.

The Tribune’s Abby Livingston reported in mid-May that a Democratic super PAC was already reserving $850,000 in ad time in the San Antonio television market. Livingston at the time wrote that some Texas strategists project spending in the race could exceed $15 million.

*****

In other Hurd news, the social conservative advocacy group Texas Values Action is taking the congressman to task for being the lone Texas Republican to vote for an amendment last month that would have prevented federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

At the core of the criticism by Texas Values Action is the group’s assertion that this language would have put in statute President Barack Obama’s executive order extending non-discrimination protections to gay, lesbian and transgender people.

“While the majority of Texas Republicans in Congress and state leaders like Sen. Ted Cruz, Governor Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Attorney General Ken Paxton are leading the fight against Obama’s bathroom takeover attempts, it is extremely disappointing that Rep. Will Hurd is seemingly willing put the safety of women and children across the country at risk,” the organization writes in an email to its supporters.

Texas Values Action closes by asking its supporters to contact the congressman to persuade him to vote no on future legislation that includes language similar to the amendment.

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For this week’s nonscientific survey of insiders in government and politics, we asked about who’s on the right track and who’s on the wrong track with elections approaching.

May was an eventful month in the political world. It began with the folding of final opposition to Donald Trump in the GOP presidential contest followed by Trump's securing enough delegates to assure him of the nomination at the national party convention.

Meanwhile, the state Republican party held its convention this past month and the party primary runoff elections finalized the slate of major party candidates who will appear on the ballot in the November general election.

With so many inflection points in the rearview mirror, we asked our insiders a set of right track/wrong track questions to gauge their thoughts on the trajectories of the national political parties as well as the legislative chambers.

The insiders exhibited a mostly pessimistic mood about the immediate future of these political institutions. The Republican Party is seen as on the wrong track by 55 percent with just 8 percent saying the party is on the right track. The Democratic Party is also underwater, with 48 percent judging the party as on the wrong track and 20 percent saying it is on the right track.

That pessimism carried over to the insiders' take on the Texas Senate, with 59 percent saying the chamber is on the wrong track and 23 percent saying it's on the right track.

The exception to the rule is the Texas House, with 67 percent of the insiders saying the chamber is on the right track and 11 percent saying it's on the wrong track.

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

Enlarge Emily Albracht

.

With Donald Trump as its presumptive presidential nominee, what’s the Republican Party’s trajectory over the next couple of years?

• "I clicked 'right track,' but it's important to clarify that I mean it's the right track for Democrats, not Republicans."

• "Nationally or here in Texas? Here in Texas, it's steady as she goes; Trump has no real effect and the RPT marches onward. Nationally, it's too soon to tell, but I'm guessing Trump doesn't have long coattails in states like Wisconsin (You're welcome, Feingold), North Carolina, and Ohio."

• "For all we know, Trump may be the end or the beginning of a new GOP."

• "It's too soon to tell, but if Trump loses in November, the conventional Rs will eventually resume control of the party. If Trump wins in November, the future direction of the party will depend on how well he does."

• "Hopefully, they'll purify the party. Ridding themselves of the RINOs that are really Libertarians that have taken over the runoff elections."

Enlarge Emily Albracht

.

With the party leaning toward Hillary Clinton as its nominee, what’s the Democratic Party’s trajectory over the next couple of years?

• "I've yet to run across a Democrat who's enthused by Hillary. It's more of a resignation to the inevitable."

• "The Democratic Party leadership is just as out of touch with the electorate in one direction as the Republicans are in the opposite direction."

• "With a generic conservative GOP candidate, Hillary should have been a near-certain loser this year. If she wins, it's a huge bonus for her party, even if voter fatigue with Democrats will make her extremely vulnerable in 2020."

• "As with the Bushes, the time for the Clintons is over. They are the past, the future is elsewhere."

• "Wrong track for both parties. Should yield more independent voting, but probably won't."

Enlarge Emily Albracht

.

With the fall legislative election slates now set, what’s the Texas Senate’s trajectory heading into the next legislative session?

• "I can see the ad now: Texas Senate — NEW and IMPROVED! Even more Tea Party!!"

• "As long as they remain focused on convincing their constituents that they are overtaxed and ignore the basic economics of return on investment, we will remain behind in dealing with growth and economic opportunity."

• "Bathroom Track"

• "Two new, more conservative, votes gives Dan Patrick what he needs to outshine the House."

• "Someone told me this weekend that they now feel overqualified to serve in public office. The Senate is a perfect example."

Enlarge Emily Albracht

.

What’s the Texas House’s trajectory heading into the next legislative session?

• "It will be the same — the right wing will be divisive — the Straus wing will be condescending — it will lumber along, but all the ideas will come out of the Senate side."

• "As long as Speaker Joe Straus is there, the House will not go TOO far astray and might actually do some positive things! Thanks, Speaker Straus for being the 'adult' in the room among Republican officeholders."

• "Right track, but turmoil continues. And the transition to the next speaker (whenever that occurs) won't stop the turmoil."

• "Straus is the best mind that Texas politics has right now. Long may he serve. The fact that the House, perhaps necessarily more prone to zaniness and extremism than the Senate, has become the more mature body, is testament to Straus' steady hand."

• "Straus makes it imperative that conservatives continue to replace his lieutenants. Only then can Texans' conservatism be expressed."

Our thanks to this week's participants: Gene Acuna, Cathie Adams, Brandon Alderete, Clyde Alexander, Jay Arnold, Dave Beckwith, Andrew Biar, Allen Blakemore, Tom Blanton, Chris Britton, Raif Calvert, Lydia Camarillo, Kerry Cammack, Elna Christopher, Harold Cook, Kevin Cooper, Chad Crow, Randy Cubriel, Beth Cubriel, Curtis Culwell, Denise Davis, June Deadrick, Nora Del Bosque, Tom Duffy, David Dunn, Richard Dyer, Jack Erskine, Dominic Giarratani, Bruce Gibson, Eric Glenn, Kinnan Golemon, John Greytok, Clint Hackney, Wayne Hamilton, Bill Hammond, Steve Holzheauser, Deborah Ingersoll, Jason Johnson, Mark Jones, Robert Kepple, Richard Khouri, Tom Kleinworth, Sandy Kress, Pete Laney, James LeBas, Luke Legate, Myra Leo, Ruben Longoria, Matt Mackowiak, Jason McElvaney, Mike McKinney, Steve Minick, Mike Moses, Nelson Nease, Gardner Pate, Robert Peeler, Bill Pewitt, Jerry Philips, Tom Phillips, Wayne Pierce, Allen Place, Gary Polland, Jay Pritchard, Jay Propes, Ted Melina Raab, Patrick Reinhart, David Reynolds, Chuck Rice, Carl Richie, A.J. Rodriguez, Grant Ruckel, Tyler Ruud, Jason Sabo, Andy Sansom, Barbara Schlief, Stan Schlueter, Robert Scott, Bruce Scott, Ben Sebree, Jason Skaggs, Ed Small, Martha Smiley, Larry Soward, Leonard Spearman, Dennis Speight, Tom Spilman, Sherry Sylvester, Trey Trainor, Vicki Truitt, Corbin Van Arsdale, David White, Darren Whitehurst, Angelo Zottarelli.

Enlarge Todd Wiseman

Friday, June 3

• State Rep. Wayne Faircloth, R-Galveston, First Annual Clay Shoot fundraiser; Clay Mound Sporting Center, 2001 Texaco Road, Liberty (9 a.m.)

Sunday, June 5

• Republican Lieutenant Governors Association (RLGA) conference; various locations, Austin (June 5-7)
  

Monday, June 6

• Harris County Republican Party annual luncheon with Chairman Paul Simpson and special guest U.S. Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston; Harris County Republican Party, 7232 Wynnwood Lane, Houston (11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.)
  

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has lost his latest bid for dismissal of state securities fraud charges he faces for business dealings before he took office.

Gov. Greg Abbott and Comptroller Glenn Hegar on Wednesday ordered state agencies to stop paying departing employees by placing them on "emergency leave." Representatives from the attorney general's office and the General Land Office said they will heed the order.

A Travis County judge ruled Wednesday that the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services cannot license an immigration detention center as a childcare facility, giving immigrant rights groups a victory in a months-long battle with the state. The case will proceed to a full trial in September. 

Days after he was stripped of his job as Baylor University president over a scandal over how the school handled accusations of sexual assault, Ken Starr said he will also resign as chancellor of the private Baptist school. 

Declaring that "this fight is just beginning," Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Tuesday escalated his battle against guidelines in Texas and across the country that allow students to use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity. He told school districts not to obey the federal directive and said the Legislature would likely take up the issue next year.

Disclosure: The Texas General Land Office has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.

Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Ronald “Ronnie” Anderson of Mont Belvieu and Gary Renola of Seabrook to the San Jacinto River Authority Board of Directors and reappointed Fred Koetting of The Woodlands. Renola’s term on the board expired Oct. 16, 2017, while the terms for Anderson and Koetting expire Oct. 16, 2021.

Nikki Cobb is leaving the office of state Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, for a spot on the staff of House Speaker Joe Straus where she will serve as senior business and regulatory affairs adviser. Otto, the House’s chief budget writer, announced last year that he would not run for re-election.

Mark Loeffler has been hired as the new communications director for the Texas Department of Agriculture, replacing Lucy Nashed. He previously served as communications director for former General Land Office commissioner Jerry Patterson.

Texas A&M University System regents announced last week the appointment of three interim presidents for a trio of system campuses: Ray M. Keck (Texas A&M University-Commerce), Pablo Arenas (Texas A&M International University) and James Hallmark (West Texas A&M University).

Texas A&M system regents also approved last week a promotion for Laylan Copelin to vice chancellor for marketing and communications. He previously served as the system’s executive director of media relations.

Disclosure: The Texas General Land Office, the Texas A&M University System and Jerry Patterson have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.