Atty. Gen. Gregg Abbott filed for a third term in office today, citing his record in a press release.

“At a time of national difficulty and unprecedented expansion of the federal government, Texas stands out as a state where free enterprise, traditional values, and individual freedom still thrive,” Abbott said. “As Attorney General I have worked to serve and protect our fellow Texans by cracking down on waste and fraud in government, launching new initiatives to protect children, and going all the way to the United States Supreme Court to defend Texas values. With our great state at this critical juncture, I am seeking reelection to ensure that Texans have an Attorney General who will offer innovative solutions to real-world problems, stand up when the federal government overreaches, and ensure Texas continues to foster economic opportunity for future generations.”

One of the more conservative members of the Texas Legislature gladly accepted his inclusion as a Bum Steer -- rather than giving Texas Monthly a bronx cheer.

Rep. Wayne Christian (R-Center) said the designation, intended as a harsh critique of (usually) conservative legislators, is an honor if one considers private property rights, immigration reform, and social conservative values important.

His press release on the matter is as follows:

Speaker Joe Straus appointed five House members to the Texas Legislative Council today, a press release from his office said. The appointments include: Reps. Gary Elkins (R-Houston), Jessica Farrar (D-Houston), Helen Giddings (D-Dallas), Edmund Kuempel (R-Seguin), and Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston).

Santa Claus, who said he may want to move his North Pole opeartions to Texas to take advantage of the better business climate, assisted Americans for Prosperity-Texas in releasing the group's "Naughty and Nice" lists for 2009.

Peggy Venable, executive director of AFP-Texas, introduced during a press conference this morning AFP-Texas' Legislative Report Card for the 81st Legislative Session as "Santa" read a list of the highest grades.

It's good fun around the Capitol to joke that whenever the Governor's Office isn't particularly proud of something -- but still wants to officially "alert the media" about it -- the governor will send the press release late on a Friday afternoon or just before a holiday.

Well, this afternoon, shortly before 4 p.m. (and before the pre-Christmas weekend begins), Gov. Rick Perry announced a list of eight persons granted clemency by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.

One can argue about the powers of states and the role of federal spending all day, a Texas House Democrat said this morning, but what message support for greater "states rights" is sending may be cause for alarm.

Rep. Garnet Coleman (D-Houston) hosted a rather strangely timed press conference today "condemning hatred and bigotry in public discourse specifically relating to the Tenth Amendment, states rights, tea parties, and secession." The press conference came a week after Coleman took shots at several conservative activists for "hate-based campaigning" (see more by clicking below).

Coleman told LSR that conservative and libertarian movements advocating a lessening of federal control threaten the Tenth Amendment's equal protection clause. Coleman said it took generations to build up to the civil rights protections now granted by the federal government, and reducing the federal government's role in leading the country poses a threat to racial equality. "We're United States citizens. We're not just state citizens," Coleman said to LSR.

It appears Richard "Kinky" Friedman has withdrawn from his second attempt to run for Governor of Texas (this time as a Democrat and not as an independent) and switched races to Agriculture Commissioner.

Sound familiar? It should because Democrat Hank Gilbert did the same thing on Dec. 4, shortly before endorsing rival Farouk Shami.

According to the Houston Chronicle, Friedman, a humorist and Texas songwriter, switched races on the advice of former Ag Commissioner Jim Hightower, who thinks Kinky could beat Hank.

On her first day as an officially filed candidate, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison released a "60-day plan" for reforming eminent domain practices in Texas should she be elected Governor of Texas.

Hutchison pre-recorded a video announcement which played today at the Texas Farm Bureau's annual convention in Fort Worth, which highlighted her plan to designate property rights reform as an emergency item during the first two months of the 82nd Legislature.

Democratic candidate for governor Hank Gilbert announced he is switching races during a telephone conference at noon.

As he did in 2006, Gilbert announced his candidacy for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture.

After announcing his withdrawl from the gubernatorial race, Gilbert endorsed Houston hair care product businessman Farouk Shami for governor.

Rep. Dan Gattis (R-Georgetown) announced Sunday night that he is no longer seeking the SD 5 seat, currently held by Sen. Steve Ogden (R-Bryan). In early September, Ogden said he would likley not seek re-election.

In addition, Gattis also announced that he does not intend on seeking re-election to his Texas House seat.

A press release from Gattis referenced the possibility of an announcement from Ogden regarding his decision. So far no announcement has been received by LSR (see updates below).