The star power is now coming out in the Texas U.S. Senate race as Sen. Ted Cruz and challenger Rep. Beto O'Rourke look to offer voters a dramatic contrast.

Cruz welcomed the president's son, Donald Trump Jr., to Wichita Falls this week, where the two talked about how the Trumps and Cruz reconciled after the nasty primary between the junior senator from Texas and the man who would become president. Then, they immediately attacked O'Rourke as an "out of touch liberal" who has more in common with voters in California than those who live in Texas.

Meanwhile, O'Rourke welcomed Texas icon Willie Nelson to a free concert and rally in Austin that drew some 55,000 people. As the attacks from Cruz and Trump came his way, O'Rourke sought to stay upbeat with a positive message about bringing Republicans, Democrats, and independents together.

Also in the news this week, Gov. Abbott hinted that he might be open to loosening Texas laws on marijuana and a state senator is demanding UT officials be fired after allegations of lewd text messages came to light.

Go behind the headlines for a look at what's really going on at the Texas Capitol and in Washington with the state's #1 political podcast: The Texas Take. Join the conversation featuring Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, Texas Public Radio Capitol reporter Ryan Poppe, and Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.