Birdwell on, Cullar off November ballot

Republican state Sen. Brian Birdwell’s name remains on the Nov. 2 ballot, Democrat John Cullar has withdrawn from the race, and the question of Birdwell’s eligibility to serve in the Texas Senate remains unresolved following a ruling by the 5th Court of Appeals in Dallas last week.A three-judge appellate court panel – all Republicans – on Thursday denied a petition filed by Cullar and the state Democratic Party that Birdwell be removed from the ballot due to failing to meet the five-year residen... full story