Days until Iowa caucuses: 5; days until the SEC Primary: 34
Texas:
Before there was Jerry Falwell Jr., there was Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Dallas. Last weekend, he traveled to Iowa in support of GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump, but didn't officially "endorse" the billionaire, lest Jeffress endanger his church's nonprofit status, the Houston Chronicle reports.
This church is a big deal. Back in the day, First Baptist Dallas was at the center of the movement to remove moderate Baptists – think Jimmy Carter – from leadership in the denomination. Here’s the video:
Jeffress shares Trump's penchant for speaking his mind. From a 2013 piece in the New York Daily News:
He makes no apologies for his comments.
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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will head to Iowa to stump for Ted Cruz. Yes, it's an official endorsement. (Houston Chronicle)
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New Hampshire conservative activist Paul Nagy says Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is the best choice for vice president. (The Hill)
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Alabama:
One possible draw for presidential candidates: Mobile's Mardi Gras celebration, which brings up to 800,000 people a year. All of them sober and ready to listen to a stump speech, surely. (AL.com)
Virginia:
The state Republican Party's loyalty oath requirement to vote in the March 1 primary has led one local elections worker to quit in protest. (Harrisonburg Daily News Record)
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