State Rep. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, and Sylvia Garcia, a Democrat and former Harris County commissioner, are the front-runners in a special election to to replace state Sen. Mario Gallegos, who died in October.
2012 elections
Close the Window
Election season ends Saturday, in a way, with the start of the biennial blackout on campaign contributions during a legislative session.
Now What? Capitol Press Vets Look Ahead
On Nov. 8, the Tribune and the University of Texas at Austin’s Texas Politics Project asked four veteran members of the Capitol press corps to forecast the coming controversies in the 83rd session.
Now What? Public Policy in the 83rd Session
On November 8, the Tribune and the University of Texas at Austin’s Texas Politics Project asked four experts on state health, water, transportation and education policy to preview the fights over those issues in the 83rd session.
Now What? A Conversation About 2012 and 2013
On Nov. 8, the Tribune and the University of Texas at Austin’s Texas Politics Project asked four political strategists to talk about what the 2012 election means for the 2013 session and beyond.
For Donors, the Political Season Comes to an End
The “late train” — the rush of supplicants making kiss-and-make-up contributions after an election — ended this weekend with the beginning of a blackout that outlaws political donations during a legislative session.
Tarrant County May Point to Texas’ Political Future
Just like in 2008, Tarrant County voters favored Mitt Romney and President Obama in the same proportion as Texas voters did overall.
For Freshman Legislators, Washington is No Texas
Freshman legislators are getting their first look at Washington and Austin, and the differences are as clear as red and blue.
Texas Democrats Gained, if Only a Little, in 2012
Texas Democrats don’t hold any statewide offices, and they are terribly outnumbered in the state Legislature. But they were the only gainers in this year’s elections.
Accounting for the 2012 Election: Adds, Drops, and Turnover
Who’s leaving, who’s coming in, and how the numbers compare to turnover after the last 40 years of Texas elections.

