As a mama and a grandma, I appreciate, understand and absolutely believe in the sanctity of life. But I recognize that there are those tough situations where heartbreaking decisions have to be made.

We've got to be honest. We've got to say out loud we need more dollars for education and we also need more of the education dollars going directly into the classroom with the teachers.

The governor's tax increase plan does not work.

I shall die a Texas independent. I think that this governor has so politically fractured this state that the only way to get something done is to set aside the partisan politics.

I want to debate him anytime, anyplace, anywhere. He ought to be here today to let the people hear where we are in education.

Under this governor, it is us against them. The sad fact is the governor has so politically fractured our state ... the only way to bring Texas back together and get things done is to have independent leadership.