State party leadership post rankings as open race sizzles in convention countdown with outgoing state boss branding veteran Travis activist who enters race late as grifter in field with ex-Freedom Caucus director and former Collin County leader as early frontrunner under far right banner. more @realmitchlittle, @olcott4texas, @Toth4Texas, @CoveyTX, @brianeharrison, @reptinderholt, @WesleyVirdell May 17   @GregAbbott_TX speaks to DPS and pardons killer on May 16 Governor and appointees let man spend 13 months in prison for murder they say he did not commit before setting him free a week before state GOP confab in move with little to gain and disaster potential if subject ever kills again. more   Florida rep who's Trump darling to headline patriots event as one of biggest draws for far right in move that's loaded with potential to backfire due to DOJ and House investigations into relationships with minors and Russia sympathy in Ukraine battle. more @mattgaetz `standing back and standing by' for D. Trump May 16   @ContractWithTX posts Rep. @NateSchatzline video on May 13 Firms that offer gambling on athletics and daily fantasy plays help bankroll event in San Antonio despite party's longtime opposition along with Senate president who buried bill and AG who ruled DFS to be state law violation. more   Governor info could be outdated with threat to cut off state funding if Aggies don't risk federal funds instead with ruling that gubernatorial order carries more weight than decree from American president. more @GregAbbott_TX with Floresville Peanut Festival Court on May 13   @GregAbbott_TX shows troop guarding river alone at night May 13 Crockett's Thierry-bashing story sparks conspiracy theory for state GOP convention on Phelan cutting deals with Democrats as conservatives show no concern on game-changing backlash in speaker's favor with crossover votes key to survival. more   Abbott gets letter from 39 Democratic reps calling for emergency funding to head off individual ISDs budget woes after neglect in Austin despite record surplus when Abbott and GOP make private schools top education priority instead. more @JasmineForUS backs @LASimmonsTX146 for House May 11   David @CoveyTX blasts Speaker @DadePhelan in post on X on May 9 Phelan team sees victory in runoff on horizon with room to spare as challenger intensifies far right attacks with creative stretch despite favorite claims less than three weeks from OT vote. more