Like many Texans, we were knocked offline for a while during the past week because of the winter weather. We hope each of you is safe, warm and healthy.

HD68 special: Winter weather crippled early voting, which ends tomorrow (Friday). According to data posted by the Secretary of State, exactly 100 people voted through yesterday (Wednesday), the second day of the early voting period, corresponding to 0.1% of registered voters. Polling places in most of the district’s 22 counties have experienced closures or limited hours since early voting began on Tuesday.

Jacksboro ISD trustee David Spiller (R) faces Nocona boot manufacturer Craig Carter (R). Saturday is Election Day. The winner will serve the unexpired House term of Sen. Drew Springer (R-Muenster).

CD32: 2020 Republican nominee Genevieve Collins has become the Texas director for Americans for Prosperity.

SEN: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R) was criticized for flying to Cancun for a family vacation while the state was in the grips of a paralyzing series of winter storms. Cruz returned today (Thursday) after the story broke.

“Wanting to be a good dad, I flew down with them last night and am flying back this afternoon,” Cruz said in a statement. “My staff and I are in constant communication with state and local leaders to get to the bottom of what happened in Texas.” He later said that the trip was “obviously a mistake.”

In December, Cruz and many others criticized Austin Mayor Steve Adler for filming a video asking people to stay home to slow the spread of Covid-19 from Cabo San Lucas, where he was attending a family wedding.

Cruz is not up for re-election until 2024.

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