Top Democratic super PAC boosts MJ Hegar in Texas' U.S. Senate race with $8.6 million TV blitz
The group is jumping into the contest with an ad campaign targeting Republican incumbent John Cornyn on health care. 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 -
Harris County tried to make voting easier during the pandemic. Texas Republicans fought every step of the way.
In a bitterly contested election overlaid with the fears and risks of an uncontrolled pandemic, Harris County has become a case study in raw politics and partisan efforts to manipulate voter turnout. Full Story
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![A man readjusts his mask after showing his face to match his ID at the Metropolitan Multi-Services Center on W. Gray Street during the first day of early voting in Houston on Oct. 13, 2020.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Chip Roy and Wendy Davis face off on women's health, managing the coronavirus and being a Washington disruptor
Roy, the one-term Republican congressman who represents the Austin-area district, squares off with Davis, his Democratic challenger, in our Split Decision virtual debate series. Full Story
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At least 9.7 million Texans — 57% of registered voters — voted early
During early voting in Texas, at least 9.7 million people — 57.4% of registered voters — cast their ballots in the 2020 general election. Turnout on Election Day brought this year’s overall turnout to 66%, surpassing 2016's turnout of 59.4%. Full Story
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Early voting appears up in Texas. It’s too early to know what that means.
First-day turnout was up just under a percentage point in Texas' 10 biggest counties, but it's unclear whether that trend will continue through Election Day. Full Story
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![People wait in line to vote at Audelia Road Branch Library on the first day of early voting in Dallas on Oct. 13, 2020.]()
Credit: Montinique Monroe for The Texas Tribune -
Embattled Texas AG Ken Paxton and outside attorney respond to complaint that led to staff uprising
Outside attorney Brandon Cammack said he'd never met Paxton before he was asked to apply for the position, but he “rose to the occasion” in accepting a major assignment. Full Story
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![Attorney General Ken Paxton during a press conference in 2017.]()
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Texas voters disagree on top issues, as well as candidates, UT/TT Poll finds
Texas voters' disagreements on candidates are mirrored by differences over top priorities and problems, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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![Texas State Capitol in the late afternoon on June 12, 2017.]()
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John Cornyn goes on attack against challenger MJ Hegar in homestretch of U.S. Senate race
The ad onslaught came as some signs pointed to a competitive race as early voting kicked off Tuesday. Full Story
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![Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and challenger MJ Hegar face off in a Nexstar televised debate on Oct. 9, 2020, at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin. Hegar is slightly behind the long-time senator in the latest polls late in the campaign.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/Courtesy of Nexstar Media Group -
Texas' attempt to ban common abortion procedure blocked by appeals court
Women in Texas can continue to access the most common procedure used to end a pregnancy in the second trimester, after a federal appeals court Tuesday struck down a state law that would have curtailed its use. Full Story
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![A nurse practitioner consults with a patient at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Austin.]()
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High turnout, sporadic problems reported at Texas polling places as early voting begins
Voters in Harris County shattered the record for in-person ballots cast on the first day of early voting, with more than 128,000 people voting, according to the county elections office. Full Story
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![Voters waited for more than three hours to cast their ballot at the South Austin Recreation Center on the first day of early voting in Texas on Oct. 13, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas counties can offer only one drop-off ballot location, federal appeals court rules, upholding Gov. Greg Abbott’s order
Civil rights groups and voting advocates had argued the restriction would disproportionately impact low-income voters, voters with disabilities, older voters and voters of color in Democratic counties. Full Story
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![The Travis County Tax Office at 5501 Airport Blvd is now the only drive-thru location open for hand delivery of mail ballots in the county. The drop-off location photographed here on Oct. 2, 2020, will be open until Nov. 3, 2020.]()
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Have a problem voting in Texas? Let us know
The Texas Tribune is partnering with ProPublica's Electionland to track obstacles to voting in Texas. Here's how you can help. Full Story
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![Voters cast their ballots at the Great Baptist Hills Church in Austin in July.]()
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Donor accuses Texas AG Ken Paxton’s office of mishandling complaint that led to staff mutiny
Aides in the attorney general’s office have said their boss used the power of the agency to serve the financial interests of Nate Paul, an Austin investor and donor. Paul’s attorney said his client has been the victim of agency “dysfunction.” Full Story
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![Attorney General Ken Paxton spoke to the Republican convention delegates in 2018.]()
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Paxton fought $300 hourly rate for attorneys prosecuting him, but OKs it for “rookie” lawyer in donor’s case
The long-running securities fraud case against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton — now more than five years old — has been delayed for years as he resists paying special prosecutors $300 an hour. But he personally signed off on that rate for an inexperienced attorney probing a political donor’s complaint. Full Story
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![Special prosecutors Brian Wice, left, and Kent Schaffer enter the Collin County Courthouse during a pre-trial motion hearing for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, in McKinney.]()
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Special election runoff between Shelley Luther and state Rep. Drew Springer set for Dec. 19
Springer, a state representative, faces Luther, the Dallas salon owner who was jailed earlier this year after refusing to shutter her business due to pandemic restrictions, for the seat of state Sen. Pat Fallon, R-Prosper. Full Story
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![Dallas salon owner Shelley Luther and State Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster.]()
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State Sen. Royce West won't vote for fellow Democrat MJ Hegar, accuses her of having "a problem all along with Black folks"
West made the comments Friday to the Austin American-Statesman after his lack of support for Hegar came up at her first debate with Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. Full Story
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![Sen. Royce West, D-Texas, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate MJ Hegar.]()
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton hired an inexperienced lawyer to investigate claims by his political donor
The young lawyer has five years of experience and apparent ties to an attorney for Nate Paul, a political donor to Paxton at the center of the latest allegations against the attorney general. Full Story
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![Brandon Cammack.]()
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Attorney General Ken Paxton's office said it's closing investigation into donor's claims, which top aides linked to criminal allegations
Top aides have accused Paxton of using the agency to serve the interests of the donor through the investigation — which has involved subpoenas related to the donor's financial interests. Full Story
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![Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks outside the U.S. Supreme Court in 2016.]()
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As fears of election-related unrest rise, here's what you need to know about poll watchers in Texas
Political parties are enlisting a record number of poll watchers in Texas and across the country for a highly charged election season. Full Story
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![Poll workers Al Johnston and Sue Denson run through the check in process at training lab at the Collin County Elections Department on June 23. Plexiglass screens to separate employees from voters are one of several protective measures added by Collin County to prevent the spread of COVID-19.]()
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Donald Trump leads Joe Biden by 5 points in Texas, UT/TT Poll finds
The president leads the former vice president 50%-45% in Texas, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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![President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden.]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune