WFAA: Inside Texas Politics (4/27)

This week on Inside Texas Politics:

The two Republicans who want Wendy Davis' old state senate seat take our questions in studio.

Why is Democratic Rep. Marc Veasey working for UPS while the House is in recess? He's with us as well.

Plus: The Republican runoff for lieutenant governor is heating up with dueling ads, and now tax returns have become an issue. We'll ask which message is winning.

And we'll dig into the latest from the gubernatorial race.

We begin with the race for Wendy Davis' old state senate seat, Tarrant County District 10. Both Republicans in the runoff — Konni Burton from Colleyville and former State Rep. Mark Shelton — are in studio for questions from Inside Texas Politics host Jason Whitely and Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist Bud Kennedy.

• WATCH: Newsmaker interview

Every week we go to Austin for context from the Capitol. Ross Ramsey is the executive editor and co-founder of The Texas Tribune, which broke a story about Ken Paxton, the McKinney lawmaker who is the frontrunner in the Republican runoff for attorney general. Paxton is reviewing ethics filings to see whether he broke any laws by not disclosing some positions he held. Plus: There's more information about a grand jury investigation into the governor. Rick Perry worked back channels, telling Austin's Democratic D.A. that he would restore money he vetoed for the public corruption unit if she resigned.

• WATCH: Ross Ramsey analysis

Wendy Davis says she needs the Hispanic vote this November, but how hard is she trying to get it? That's what Mercedes Olivera wants to know.

• WATCH: My Voice, My Opinion

He has worked as a baker and even ran a route with UPS. These jobs aren't on Rep. Marc Veasey's resume, but all happened recently.

• WATCH: Rep. Marc Veasey interview

It is a lightning rod issue: Should race and gender determine who gets into college? Michigan voters banned that practice eight years ago, and now the Supreme Court is upholding that decision. It put the concept of affirmative action back in focus, and started a lively conversation on Flashpoint. From the right, Mark Davis with 660 AM The Answer; and from the left, former Democratic state representative Domino Garcia.

• WATCH: Flashpoint

There's a fight simmering along the Red River. The Bureau of Land Management is deciding what to do with its land there. But Texans say they own it — not the feds. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott calls it a "land grab," but critics point out that Texas itself has a spotty record on protecting private property — using eminent domain to build toll roads, pipelines, and other projects. Is this issue bigger? Whitely, Kennedy and Ramsey discuss this issue, and these:

State Rep. Jason Villalba is leading a delegation to Southern California to try to lure hot sauce-maker Sriracha to Texas. Is he raising his profile, or just a pawn in this company's fight with its own city council?

And the Republican runoff for lieutenant governor is heating up. Both candidates now have dueling ads. And incumbent David Dewhurst is pressuring challenger Dan Patrick to release tax returns. Will returns matter? And are the ads making a difference?

• WATCH: Reporters Roundtable