Convenience Big Store: Can Texas donors save the Ron DeSantis campaign?

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DeSantis seeks Texas cash

Back in Texas, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is trying to refuel his campaign for the White House as he prepares for a critical two-month stretch in which he will need to gain serious ground on his main GOP challenger, former President Donald Trump.

DeSantis spent Wednesday morning telling oil producers in Midland that he's committed to the oil and gas industry and he accused President Joe Biden of weakening it since he took office in 2021.

"We know that Joe Biden has waged war on domestic energy production," DeSantis said, surrounded by oil workers. "As president, I will restore America's energy independence."

But DeSantis's comments come at a time when the state's oil and gas industry is doing well. As gas prices have climbed over the last year, so too have industry wages and jobs, according to the Texas Oil and Gas Association. Nearly twice as many rigs are in operation in Texas now compared to when Biden took office.

While his focus was on energy policy in Midland, the Florida governor's next three days in Texas are really about raising money for a campaign that has struggled to build momentum in early-voting states like Iowa. DeSantis has fundraisers planned for Houston, San Antonio, Waco, Tyler and Dallas through Friday.

That money is critical as the DeSantis campaign hits a now-or-never point in Iowa. With just over 100 days until voting starts in Iowa, DeSantis is more than 30 points back of Trump in some polls. The DeSantis campaign has promised an all-out push in Iowa over the next couple of months as it tries to mimic what U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz did in 2016 to win Iowa over Trump.

Who's up, who's down

Up: Charles Q. Brown.

Finally, the U.S. Senate has found a way to vote on the promotion of the San Antonio native and Air Force general to become the next Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest-ranked officer in the U.S. military. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., announced a plan Wednesday to get around Sen. Tommy Tuberville's, R-AL, blockade of all military appointments to protest an abortion policy.

Down: Eagle Pass.

The Texas border city issued a disaster declaration as thousands of migrants have crossed into the city's limits in recent days. "It has taken a toll on our local resources, specifically our police force and our fire department," Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas said.

What do you think? Hit reply and let me know.

What else is going on in Texas

Governor Greg Abbott signed 4 bills into law Monday afternoon that give parents more rights in determining how their children are educated in schools.

Photo by: Jessica Phelps

Abbott vows to call special session next month on school vouchers

Abbott threatened lawmakers with primary challenges if they don't get on board. "There's an easy way to get it done and a hard way to get it done," he said.

U.S. Border Patrol agents process hundreds of migrants under the International Bridge II in Eagle Pass, Texas, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. A surge of migrants started early in the week leading to Customs and Border Protection to suspend vehicular processing operations on Bridge I to assist with the processing of the migrants.

Photo by: Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News

Eagle Pass declares disaster as 4,000 migrants cross in two days

"It has taken a toll on our local resources, specifically our police force and our fire department," the local mayor said.

Rosie Cuellar, a member of one of the most prominent families in South Texas, says she plans to run for a competitive open state House district that includes Uvalde.

Rosie Cuellar to run for battleground state House seat that includes Uvalde

Cuellar has been involved in Democratic politics in South Texas for decades, including for her brother, now-U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar.

Lesley Briones, Commissioner Precinct 4, left, Rodney Ellis, Commissioner Precinct 1, and Tom Ramsey, Commissioner Precinct 3, right, are shown during Commissioners Court, 1001 Preston St., Tuesday, June 6, 2023, in Houston.

Photo by: Melissa Phillip, Staff Photographer

Harris County approves $2.4B budget for 2024 with lower tax rate

Harris County leaders on Tuesday voted for a tax rate decrease for the fifth year in a row, as well as a $2.4 billion budget for 2024.

Pick of the day

Photo by: Jeremy Wallace

Presidential candidate Ron DeSantis in Midland announced an energy policy on Wednesday that he said would mean $2 per gallon of gas in 2025.

What else I'm reading

Former Houston Police Art Acevedo, who was run out as Miami's police chief, was feeling a little vindicated this week when the Miami City Council member he accused of corruption was arrested for corruption. The council member also happened to be one of the politicians who helped run Acevedo out of town after just seven months on the job. Acevedo, who now works in Colorado, told the Miami Herald he doesn't normally comment on ongoing investigations but was making an exception on this one: "I told Miami so."