Top Reads, Feb. 18: Tea party litmus test / Ted Nugent blowback / Personal financial statements

Early voting starts today, and which candidates win could serve as a litmus test for tea party strength. My story here. The candidates that most will look at include state Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, as he runs for lieutenant governor and state Sen. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney, who is running for attorney general.

Christy Hoppe at The Dallas Morning News writes here about the blowback that Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott is facing in his gubernatorial campaign as he tours on the campaign trail with rocker and politically charged Ted Nugent. Nugent has made comments about having affairs with underage girls and hurled insults at other politicians. Abbott’s campaign said they may not agree with everything Nugent has said, but they like his defense of the Constitution, particularly Second Amendment rights.

The Texas Tribune has posted the personal financial statements for candidates along with their election bracket. The state does not put the financial statements online themselves.