Texas: Ex-El Paso Mayor files $700K claim for failed recall

Back to El Paso here -- Former Mayor John Cook, who faced petitions in 2011 over his support for health benefits for city workers' gay and unmarried partners, is trying to get reimbursed for litigation expenses. The recall had enough signatures, but they were thrown out by a judge (a decision upheld by the state Supreme Court).

Under the law, Cook can seek reimbursement (these provisions invariably lead to difficult -- we saw it in California in 1995 and Arizona in 2011). Cook is now running for Texas Land Commissioner.