Voter ID: “A discriminatory purpose was at least one of the substantial or motivating factors behind passage” of the state’s Voter ID law, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos ruled. Ramos previously came to the same conclusion, but a divided Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed that portion of the judgment and asked the court to reconsider the evidentiary record. The state intends to appeal the decision. If it stands, the ruling could once again place the state under federal preclearance provisions of the Voting Rights Act.

SEN: Politico and other outlets reported that U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’s principal campaign account ended the quarter with $4.8M on hand. His three PACs combined raised $1.7M during the first three months of the year from nearly 18K people. Quarterly reports are not due to the Federal Election Commission until Saturday.

CD10: Manor council member Ryan Stone has filed paperwork to establish a campaign committee for a potential challenge to U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Austin) as a Democrat.

CD32: Dallas educator and former Harris Co. Democratic precinct chair Darrell Rodriguez has filed paperwork to establish a campaign committee for a potential challenge to U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Dallas) as a Democrat. He is at least the fifth Democrat to take a formal step toward challenging Sessions.

Dallas: The Dallas Morning News endorsed incumbent Rickey Callahan for city council District 5.

Stockman Update: Former U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman (R-Clear Lake) pleaded not guilty to 28 federal corruption charges. His trial is scheduled to begin June 5.

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