Texas Democrats from the border team up for new PAC in effort to flip the state House
The group, Corazón de la Frontera PAC, is being organized by El Paso Rep. Joe Moody, the House speaker pro tem. Full Story
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![Downtown McAllen on July 1, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: In close elections, two opponents can be better than one
A Republican effort to knock 44 Libertarians off the ballot fell short, and that could have an outsize effect on close races in November. Full Story
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![Voters check in with poll workers behind glass barriers at the Metropolitan Multi-Services Center for the delayed primary runoff election in Houston on July 14, 2020.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
National Democratic group to spend $6.2 million in Texas House fight
The super PAC, Forward Majority, is pouring the money into 18 races that will likely determine which party controls the lower chamber in January. Full Story
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![Democratic mugs, stickers and buttons on display at the Travis County Democratic Party office in Austin.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Watch the bottom of Texas ballots for political change — not the top
If the decadeslong Republican hold on Texas politics loosens, it might not be at the top of the ticket. Watch the federal and state legislative races, and where the money's going in those. Full Story
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![Joan Mooneyham and Barb Walters chat near polling machines set six feet apart at a training lab at the Collin County Elections Department .Collin County created a mock polling site with added protective measures against COVID-19 to prepare poll workers before early voting begins on June 29.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick blames presence of Confederate monuments at the Capitol on Democrats
Senate Democrats want the symbols taken down, but Patrick said that the party is not committed to a “sincere” or “serious conversation” about the future of the monuments. Full Story
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![The 1903 Confederate monument at the south entrance to the state Capitol grounds in 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas Legislative Black Caucus unveils the George Floyd Act to ban chokeholds and limit police use of force
In a press conference featuring Floyd's brother, the lawmakers said they hope their bill wins the support of Gov. Greg Abbott. Full Story
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![Members of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus at a press conference supporting the CROWN Act in Houston on Feb. 6, 2020.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Five lawmakers sue Gov. Greg Abbott over $295 million contact tracing deal
“The Texas Constitution requires a separation of powers, and that separation leaves policy-making decisions with the Texas Legislature,” argues a lawsuit from five of the Legislature’s most conservative members. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott holds a press conference after talking to local and county officials about the damage done by Hurricane Hanna in Nueces and Kleberg Counties, on Tuesday, July 28, 2020.]()
Credit: Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times via REUTERS -
"I truly thought last Friday was gonna be my last," says Texas lawmaker who was hospitalized for coronavirus
State Rep. Tony Tinderholt told The Texas Tribune he is recovering from a serious case of COVID-19, which he thought last week might kill him. His wife and two of his children also tested positive. Full Story
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![State Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, on the House floor on April 11, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Sarah Eckhardt wins special election for Texas Senate seat after Rep. Eddie Rodriguez forgoes a runoff
Rodriguez said he would focus his efforts on helping gain a Democratic majority in the House. Full Story
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![Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt speaks at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 29, 2018.]()
Credit: Thomas Meredith for The Texas Tribune -
State Rep. Lorraine Birabil concedes after primary runoff defeat
The Dallas Democrat won a special election runoff earlier this year to finish the term of Eric Johnson, now the Dallas mayor. Full Story
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![State Rep. Lorraine Birabil, D-Dallas, and Democratic challenger Jasmine Crockett.]()
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Three Texas House incumbents — Dan Flynn, Anna Eastman and J.D. Sheffield — lose in primary runoffs
Two other incumbents — Democrats Lorraine Birabil and Harold Dutton — were also on the ballot Tuesday. Full Story
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![A view of the house floor during the second day of the 86th legislative session. Jan. 9, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune. -
Three Texas House runoffs give warring GOP factions chance to settle up before November
A quieter-than-usual primary season is coming down to three runoffs Tuesday. Two incumbents are fighting for reelection, and there is a fierce battle for an open seat. Full Story
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![The Texas House of Representatives chamber on Nov. 20, 2018.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
A singular figure in Texas’ coronavirus response, Gov. Greg Abbott leads a state headed in an alarming direction
The coronavirus pandemic has proved a leadership test like no other for the second-term governor. He holds nearly all power over the state’s response as it careens toward crisis. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott adjusts his mask after giving an update on the categories of medical surge facilities at a press conference at the Texas Department of Public Safety on Tuesday, June 16, 2020.]()
Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell/Pool via Austin American-Statesman -
In GOP runoffs for the Texas House, viability in November is a leading concern
Republicans are hoping to line up their best candidates with control of the lower chamber possibly up for grabs in the fall. Full Story
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![The floor of the house on April 11, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Empower Texans opponents rush to exact revenge over anti-Abbott tirade
The release last week of audio of two Empower Texans staffers disparaging Gov. Greg Abbott with profanity and jokes about his disability became nearly instant fodder in the fast-approaching runoffs. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott gives an update on Texas hospital bed capacity and the state's strategy for fighting COVID-19 during a press conference at Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin on Tuesday, June 16, 2020.]()
Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell/Pool via Austin American-Statesman -
Texas lawmakers want to add more LGTBQ safeguards after U.S. Supreme Court guarantees workplace protections
A new ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court makes clear that it violates federal law to fire an employee on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation. Now Texas lawmakers want to guarantee similar protections for LGBTQ Texans in housing, health care and other spheres. Full Story
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![Members of Austin's LGBT community gather on the steps of the capitol to celebrate the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots on June 28, 2017.]()
Credit: Austin Price for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Legislative Black Caucus starts planning legislative responses to police brutality, racial inequality
Lawmakers took input from constituents during the first in a seres of virtual town halls scheduled this week. Full Story
![Members of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus at a press conference supporting the CROWN Act in Houston on Feb. 6, 2020.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Six candidates, including two well-known Democrats, file in special Texas Senate election to replace Kirk Watson
State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez and former Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt, both Democrats, are among those vying for the seat. So is former Austin City Council member Don Zimmerman, a Republican. Full Story
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![An aerial view of the Capitol during the coronavirus outbreak on March 23, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
How gun control advocates plan to make Texas a top political priority in 2020
One group, Everytown for Gun Safety, has already committed $8 million to the state this election cycle and is now naming three hires, including two seasoned Democratic operatives, to help see the plan through. Full Story
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![Guns at McBride's Guns in Austin on Mar 26, 2013.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen suggests ordering 5% budget cuts for state agencies
Bonnen raised the idea in a letter earlier this month to Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Full Story
![An aerial view of the Capitol during the coronavirus outbreak on March 23, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune