https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/eleanor-klibanoff/The latest news by Eleanor Klibanoff.enFri, 10 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/10/texas-republican-party-censures-primary-ballot-court-precedent/The Texas GOP will vote Saturday to possibly bar some state legislators from running in the 2026 primary, despite repeated Texas Supreme Court rulings saying they cannot.By Eleanor KlibanoffFri, 10 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/10/texas-republican-party-censures-primary-ballot-court-precedent/A voting machine for voters with disabilities at a public verification test of the voting system at the Dallas County Elections Department building in Dallas, Texas on Sept. 20, 2024. The test allows participants to validate the voting process by using ballots containing the same races and proportions as the upcoming elections in November.DALLAS, TX - SEPTEMBER 20, 2024: A voting machine for voters with disabilities at a public verification test of the voting system at the Dallas County Elections Department building in Dallas, Texas on Friday, September 20, 2024. The test allows participants to validate the voting process by using ballots containing the same races and proportions as the upcoming elections in November. CREDIT: Desiree Rios for The Texas TribuneDesiree Rios for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/09/texas-republican-lawsuit-ken-paxton-close-primaries/Secretary of State Jane Nelson said in a filing that Paxton’s office gave her less than an hour’s warning that they’d be siding against her agency in court.By Eleanor Klibanoff, The Texas Tribune, and Natalia Contreras, Votebeat and The Texas TribuneThu, 09 Oct 2025 18:40:22 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/09/texas-republican-lawsuit-ken-paxton-close-primaries/Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton gets up to shake the hand of Tarrant County GOP Chairman Bo French during a rally at the Tarrant County Republican Party Headquarters in Fort Worth on Jan. 6, 2025. Standing behind Paxton, hands together, is Abraham George, chairman of the Republican Party of Texas.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton gets up to shake the hand of Tarrant County GOP Chairman Bo French during a rally at the Tarrant County Republican Party Headquarters in Fort Worth on Jan. 6, 2025. Standing behind Paxton, hands together, is Abraham George, chairman of the Republican Party of Texas.Emil T. Lippe for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/07/tribcast-redistricting-map/While a three-judge panel hears a legal challenge to Texas’ new congressional map, TribCast breaks down the arguments.By Eleanor KlibanoffTue, 07 Oct 2025 20:06:52 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/07/tribcast-redistricting-map/A map of Tarrant County sits on a desk in the House chamber in Austin on Aug. 20, 2025.Kaylee Greenlee for the Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/01/texas-congressional-redistricting-map-federal-court/On the first day of a two-week trial, the plaintiffs’ lawyers honed in on who drew the new map and whether race was a factor.By Eleanor KlibanoffWed, 01 Oct 2025 21:26:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/01/texas-congressional-redistricting-map-federal-court/A three-judge panel began presiding over a nine-day trial on whether Texas can use its newly redrawn congressional map for the upcoming 2026 elections at the Albert Armendariz Sr. U.S. Courthouse in El Paso on Oct. 1, 2025.The Albert Armendariz Sr. U.S. Courthouse in El Paso on Oct. 1, 2025. A three judge panel is presiding over a nine day trial on whether Texas can use the newly redrawn congressional map for the upcoming 2026 elections.Alberto Silva Fernandez for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/29/texas-redistricting-congressional-map-lawsuit-injunction-hearing/The same plaintiffs who are challenging the state’s 2021 maps have asked the court to block the new GOP-approved districts from being used in the fast-approaching midterms.By Eleanor KlibanoffMon, 29 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/29/texas-redistricting-congressional-map-lawsuit-injunction-hearing/A newly released redistricting map of Texas is visible on a laptop during a Senate session on July 30, 2025.A newly released redistricting map of Texas is visible on a laptop during a Senate session on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/23/tribcast-texas-congress-redistricting/In this week’s episode, Texas Tribune Washington, D.C. correspondent Gabby Birenbaum explains how redistricting and retirements will reshape Texas’ representation on the Hill.By Eleanor KlibanoffTue, 23 Sep 2025 15:22:30 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/23/tribcast-texas-congress-redistricting/The U.S. Capitol in January 2022.Shuran Huang for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/22/texas-free-speech-college-campus-charlie-kirk-greg-abbott/Gov. Greg Abbott called for a student to be expelled for celebrating Kirk’s death. Legal experts say the student’s speech is likely constitutionally protected.By Eleanor KlibanoffMon, 22 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/22/texas-free-speech-college-campus-charlie-kirk-greg-abbott/Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Austin.Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference Friday, Aug. 15, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Abbott spoke about Texas’s response to screwworm as well as addressed California Governor Gavin Newsom's comments and actions regarding redistricting.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/17/ken-paxton-beto-orourke-texas-democrats-quorum-break-15th-court/The court, appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott, recently allowed O’Rourke to continue raising and dispersing donations, and cast doubt on Paxton’s main arguments.By Eleanor KlibanoffWed, 17 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/17/ken-paxton-beto-orourke-texas-democrats-quorum-break-15th-court/From left: Former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.From left: Former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/16/tribcast-free-speech-campus-a-m/After a firing at Texas A&M and the assassination of Charlie Kirk, free speech on-campus is back in the spotlight.By Eleanor KlibanoffTue, 16 Sep 2025 15:26:21 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/16/tribcast-free-speech-campus-a-m/Charlie Kirk speaks at a rally for gubernatorial candidate Andy Biggs at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix on May 31, 2025.Gage Skidmore/ZUMA Press Wire via REUTERShttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/05/james-talarico-texas-senate-democrat-2026/The Austin Democrat has made a name for himself with his viral social media presence. His entry to the race pits him against former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred in the increasingly crowded primary.By Kayla Guo and Eleanor KlibanoffFri, 05 Sep 2025 15:30:33 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/05/james-talarico-texas-senate-democrat-2026/Texas Rep. James Talarico D-Austin speaks during a redistricting rally at Delco Activity Center on July 25, 2025 in Austin.Texas Rep. James Talarico D-Austin speaks during a redistricting rally at Delco Activity Center Friday, July 25, 2025 in Austin, Texas.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/02/texas-redistricting-map-tarrant-county-congress-commissioners-court/Despite explosive growth turning Tarrant into a racially diverse swing county, two new political maps will leave it with whiter, more Republican representation.By Eleanor Klibanoff, Graphics by Carla AstudilloTue, 02 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/02/texas-redistricting-map-tarrant-county-congress-commissioners-court/U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, outside the Eastside YMCA he helped bring about with federal funding, on Aug. 22, 2025. Under the newly approved redistricting map passed by the Texas Legislature, most of his Tarrant County constituents will be carved into districts with majority-white, majority-Republican electorates.U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, outside the Eastside YMCA he helped bring about with federal funding, on Aug. 22, 2025. Under the newly-approved redistricting map passed by the Texas Legislature, his congressional district will become majority-white with a majority-Republican electorate.Desiree Rios for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/29/greg-abbott-signs-texas-congressional-map-redistricting/The governor was expected to sign off on the new district lines, which passed the Legislature last week and aim to flip five Democratic seats in the 2026 midterms.By Eleanor Klibanoff, Graphics by Carla AstudilloFri, 29 Aug 2025 11:48:47 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/29/greg-abbott-signs-texas-congressional-map-redistricting/The Texas Capitol seen on Monday June 30, 2025 in Austin, Texas.The Texas Capitol seen on Monday June 30, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/21/chip-roy-attorney-general-republican-primary-2026-paxton/It will be the first test of whether Roy’s at times frosty relationship with President Trump — and his turn against Paxton — can withstand scrutiny in a statewide primary.By Gabby Birenbaum and Eleanor KlibanoffThu, 21 Aug 2025 07:10:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/21/chip-roy-attorney-general-republican-primary-2026-paxton/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/19/nicole-collier-texas-house-lawsuit-police-escort/The Fort Worth Democrat was confined in the Capitol overnight after refusing to be shadowed by state police, a requirement for lawmakers who had left the state over the GOP redistricting plan.By Eleanor KlibanoffTue, 19 Aug 2025 16:01:01 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/19/nicole-collier-texas-house-lawsuit-police-escort/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/19/texas-democrats-redistricting-quorum-break-tribcast/The gang looks at what’s next in the extra-special session, as Republicans prepare to finally pass a new congressional map.By Eleanor KlibanoffTue, 19 Aug 2025 15:24:45 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/19/texas-democrats-redistricting-quorum-break-tribcast/The floor of the Texas House on Aug. 18, 2025, after Texas Democrats returned to the Capitol, resuming the work of the House.Lorianne Willett for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/18/texas-senate-second-special-session-thc-disaster-relief-bathroom-bills/Senators moved fast on Gov. Greg Abbott’s agenda for the second special session. With House Democrats back in Texas, bills can now move through that chamber.By Jayme Lozano Carver, Carlos Nogueras Ramos, Alejandra Martinez, Alex Nguyen, Ayden Runnels, Eleanor Klibanoff, Emily Foxhall, Joshua Fechter and Stephen SimpsonMon, 18 Aug 2025 21:30:46 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/18/texas-senate-second-special-session-thc-disaster-relief-bathroom-bills/State Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, speaks on the Senate floor at the Capitol on July 21, 2025.State Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, speaks on the Senate floor at the Capitol on July 21, 2025.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/17/texas-senate-redistricting-committee-maps-second-special-session/A second special session that has made approving the map a priority started Friday, shortly after the first one ended.By Eleanor Klibanoff and Alex NguyenSun, 17 Aug 2025 18:53:17 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/17/texas-senate-redistricting-committee-maps-second-special-session/State Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, who authored redistricting legislation during the two special sessions this year, at the Texas Capitol on July 29, 2025. The Texas Senate's redistricting committee advanced on Sunday legislation with the same maps proposed during the first special session. It now heads to the Senate floor for a full vote.State Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, listens to testimony during a special Senate virtual hearing on Texas redistricting at the Texas Capitol on July 29, 2025.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/13/texas-democrats-illinois-arrest-warrants-reject-extradite/Judge Scott Larson ruled that the Texas speaker and attorney general had “failed to present a legal basis for the court” to take up the issue.By Eleanor KlibanoffWed, 13 Aug 2025 15:53:03 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/13/texas-democrats-illinois-arrest-warrants-reject-extradite/Democratic Texas Rep. Ron Reynolds speaks during a press conference with members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus at IBEW Local 701 in Warrenville, Ill., on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025.Democratic Texas Rep. Ron Reynolds speaks during a press conference with members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus at IBEW Local 701 in Warrenville, Ill., on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. More than 30 Democratic Texas lawmakers fled the state the day before to block a quorum and delay a redistricting plan backed by former President Donald Trump. They regrouped in Illinois to prevent the Legislature from advancing a mid-decade congressional map that could shift several seats to Republican control.Jamie Kelter Davis for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/12/texas-democrats-supreme-court-delays-ruling-abbott-paxton-expel/The governor and attorney general have asked the court to find that Democratic lawmakers abandoned their seats when they left Texas to delay a new congressional map.By Eleanor KlibanoffTue, 12 Aug 2025 11:20:44 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/12/texas-democrats-supreme-court-delays-ruling-abbott-paxton-expel/Supreme Court of Texas justices sit at the bench for a Q & A after hearing oral arguments for two civil cases at the University of Houston Law Center in Houston on Oct. 29, 2024.Supreme Court of Texas justices sit at the bench for a Q & A after hearing oral arguments for two civil cases at the University of Houston Law Center in Houston on Oct. 29, 2024.Douglas Sweet Jr. for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/12/texas-republicans-redistricting-political-power-courts-quorum-break/Since Democratic lawmakers left Texas to delay Republicans’ new map, state leaders have challenged the limits of traditional democratic norms to break the impasse.By Eleanor KlibanoffTue, 12 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/12/texas-republicans-redistricting-political-power-courts-quorum-break/Streetlights and building lighting illuminate the Texas State Capitol through early morning fog on the ninth day of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 15, 2023.Streetlights and building lighting illuminate the Texas State Capitol through early morning fog on the ninth day of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 15, 2023.Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribune