The day after the four-term Houston lawmaker launched his statewide bid, his former chief of staff, Odus Evbagharu, announced he was running to succeed his former boss in the Texas House.

Democratic lawmakers are trying to build a case that Republicans in Texas have engineered a rushed and unfair process for redrawing the state’s congressional districts.

Before the House takes a final vote on the bill, it could face a proposal that would allow adults and minors to marry if their age gap is three years or less.

Lawmakers in 2017 took a major step to end most child marriages. However, emancipated teenagers 16 and older can get married.

Mike May was one of more than 20 losing candidates in Harris County who filed election contests, citing reports of Election Day issues.

Mike May, who lost to Houston state Rep. Jon Rosenthal by 6,000 votes, wants the Texas House to order a new election. State law allows such an appeal, but the House hasn’t approved one in more than 40 years.

(Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune)Seventeen Democrats in the Texas House launched a climate, environment and energy caucus this week with one simple goal: To talk about climate change at the Texas Capitol, where conversations on reducing emissions of greenhouse gases have been sidelined for years. Led by state Rep. Erin Zwiener, D-Driftwood, the caucus includes Democrats from major cities across the state. Members pointed out that the Legislature didn’t hold a single hearing on any bill related to climate change during the last session. Instead, they have their sights set on a more modest goal they hope is achievable — holding at least one hearing on climate change. “Minority communities are facing the brunt of these injustices,” said state Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, a civil rights attorney.

Odus Evbagharu, 28, serves as chief of staff for state Rep. Jon Rosenthal, D-Houston. Credit: Odus Evbagharu(Audio unavailable. Odus Evbagharu is a Capitol staffer who says he’s ready to work his second Texas legislative session. Between pandemic protocols and a heavier police presence in and around the building in the wake of recent threats of violence, Evbagharu says the 2021 Legislature already looks very different than in sessions past. Start your day with a quick take on the latest Texas politics and policy news.

In Texas, Monday is the last day for counties to receive overseas and military mail-in ballots. Valenzuela and Van Duyne were competing to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Kenny Marchant, R-Coppell, in what national Democrats saw as one of their best pickup opportunities in Texas. 1 finisher, Van Duyne, has called on the current runner-up to accept defeat. Neither Decision Desk HQ, which is powering The Texas Tribune's results, nor the Associated Press have called the race for Van Duyne. "Once again, I will repeat, Beth Van Duyne will be the Congresswoman for Texas’ 24th District," Van Duyne's campaign manager, Donald Rickard, said in a statement Thursday.

But not all Democratic candidates have returned to door-knocking, fueling a noteworthy divide with less than two weeks left before a high-stakes Texas election. Facing headwinds up and down the ballot in the state, Republicans believe one bright spot has been their candidates’ willingness to resume in-person campaigning earlier and more aggressively than their Democratic opposition. “If it’s not safe to trick or treat, it’s still not safe to go knock on a stranger’s door and ask for their vote,” Celia Israel, chairwoman of the Texas House Democratic Committee, told reporters Wednesday. Rather than campaign in-person, Democrats have been more focused on “contactless lit drop” — delivering flyers to voters’ doors without seeking an in-person interaction — and calling and texting voters. Still, the state House contests are where in-person campaigning is generating the most discussion.