Government and Politics

President Trump has endorsed state Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the Texas Republican primary runoff for the U.S. Senate. Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider says the endorsement is likely to give Paxton a boost in his efforts to win the GOP nomination next Tuesday, but it could complicate Republican efforts to hold onto the Senate in the midterms. Several buildings on 34th Street were vandalized this past weekend, including Lubbock Meals on Wheels. According to a release from the nonprofit, damage included two windows – one of which was shattered. You can find more information on how to support the organization at lubbockmealsonwheels.org.

The Republican president had repeatedly teased his intention to endorse a candidate in the race, starting soon after Ken Paxton and John Cornyn emerged as the remaining contenders from the first round of primary voting in March.

The Republican primary battle between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, which has raged for more than a year, will come to its conclusion on May 26.

The judge in the case insisted on a 60-day jail sentence. The controversy has roiled Texas politics and led critics to question the attorney general's ability to adequately prosecute crime.

Early voting in Texas’ joint primary runoff elections begins today and runs through Friday. The initial election took place in March, but the races that ended without a candidate receiving more than 50% of the votes are back on the ballot. Voters will determine which candidates will go on to represent their parties in the November general election. Our Samantha Larned reports on the races. Lubbock Animal Services is accepting newspapers donations to its shelter at 3323 Southeast Loop 289.

Early voting in Texas’ joint party primary runoff elections runs May 18-22. Democratic and Republican voters alike will be returning to the polls to determine their party’s nominees for the general election later this year. You can find races on both ballots and a list of early voting locations here.

Hill County commissioners’ split vote to issue a moratorium appears to be a first in Texas.

Since many of the state’s congressional districts are drawn to favor one political party, Democratic and Republican voters this month can go a long way toward picking their next representatives in the U.S. House.

Data center construction is unpopular among locals, and a majority of the facilities are being proposed in red, rural counties. That puts Texas Republicans in a tough spot, as the White House has encouraged states to let the centers flourish.

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital trade passageway, remains virtually closed due to the war in Iran. That's driven up the prices of key agricultural necessities, which could remain high into next year.