2013 Texas Tribune Festival

Hamilton covers higher education and politics for The Texas Tribune and hosts the Tribune's weekly podcast. His writing has also appeared in Texas Monthly and The Texas Observer. Hamilton received his bachelor’s degree in English from Vanderbilt University.

Branch, R-Dallas, who is running for attorney general, has represented District 108 in the Texas House since 2003. He serves as the chairman of the Higher Education Committee and sits on the Calendars and Pensions committees. Branch is a graduate of the Southern Methodist University School of Law.

Paxton, R-McKinney, was elected to represent District 8 in the Texas Senate in 2012 after serving five terms in the Texas House. Paxton, who is now running for attorney general, serves as vice chairman of the Transportation Committee and sits on the Education, Government Organization, Intergovernmental Relations and Jurisprudence committees.

Smitherman, who is running for Texas attorney general, was elected in November 2012 to a two-year term on the Railroad Commission, to which he was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry in 2011. Smitherman has served as chairman of the Public Utility Commission and as a prosecutor in the Harris County district attorney’s office.