State GOP pays tribute to former Gov. Clements Associated Press AUSTIN (AP) - Texas Republicans on Friday paid tribute to Bill Clements on the 25th anniversary of his first election to the governor's office, crediting him with being the catalyst for the party's rise to statewide dominance. Clements, 86, broke a centurylong Democratic hold on the Governor's Mansion when he was elected in 1978. He lost a re-election bid to Democrat Mark White in 1982 but came back to win the office again in 1986. His two full four-year terms make him the longest-serving governor in Texas history. "Governor Clements...