The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
What was once a lightly used and largely uncontroversial voting option in Texas, one even Republicans relied on, is now the crux of the latest fight over who gets to vote and, equally as crucial in a pandemic, who has access to safe voting. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/777c8461b72deee488eb9129b0a7b034/Mail-in%20Ballot%20Travis%20County%20CP%20TT.jpg)
The case at issue stems from a 2017 investigation into suspected mail-in voter fraud in Dallas County. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/36474d3ca03174af5636958ef8db2c66/William%20Barr%20Capitol%20Hill%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
The president's reelection campaign launched a bus tour of the state Thursday, though surrogates said — strenuously — that they still don't see Texas in play. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6c1b7cc025bbb25aceb1f2211204f585/SATX%20Trump%20Bus%20Tour%20CL%20TT%2068.jpg)
The Harris County Republican Party had sued to stop the county from sending the absentee ballot applications. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7043bffd95ecc3c9b871fa1749d52d93/Mail%20in%20Ballot%20Form%20Voting%20MG%20TT%2003.jpg)
Speaking at The Texas Tribune Festival, Rice said she supported "reimagining the role of police" and reallocating funds to social and economic development in some cities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d21176eec88f6d26fbf8aa058c64414d/Susan%20Rice%20TTF19%20MC%20TT%2002.jpg)
In Crenshaw's bid for reelection, the fight over masks and rhetoric has become particularly pitched, drawing in dozens of Houston-area doctors. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ecd119d2aecdd3637b8f6f6c751fc66c/Crenshaw%20REUTERS%20TT)
An August budget document shows funding for the anti-abortion program would be maintained, but reduced for doctors and clinics that provide reduced-cost contraception and health screenings. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8216ec909b8ada05ff0cc929dacfd1b3/Womens%20Health%20Clinic%20%20SS%20TT%2009.jpg)
Springer, a state representative, and Luther, a Dallas salon owner who was jailed over her refusal to close her business due to the coronavirus pandemic, had previously announced their campaigns. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bed715e836ec54bf12902e4b8b3a5681/06_Senate_action_April_9_JF_TT.jpg)
The Texas Senate Hispanic Caucus reupped its request on Friday for a congressional investigation into Fort Hood, the Killeen military base. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/aa86f51babce6b6cf80807e44c194c90/Investigate%20Fort%20Hood%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who chairs President Donald Trump's reelection campaign in Texas, said the lack of Texas speakers showed Republicans were not worried about the state. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/eeb9a5d36aae81147e44c7ec880ba7ce/Dan%20Patrick%20Tea%20Party%20LBS%20TT%2002.jpg)
In this week's TribCast, Matthew speaks with Ross, Alex and Patrick about the incoming hurricane, the first week of college classes and the Republican National Convention. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4e6c1c1690f1ca0efd3dfd18f33c4c73/TribCast%20Aug%2026%2002.jpg)
The U.S. representative is the only Texas elected official to get a prime-time speaking slot. Full Story
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced Wednesday it is now targeting Reps. Van Taylor of Plano, Roger Williams of Austin and Ron Wright of Arlington. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a63563314e632a72bf5071d8eab5818b/Taylor-Williams-Wright.jpg)
Not all of Harris County’s registered voters will ultimately qualify. Texas is among a handful of states with strict eligibility requirements to vote by mail. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0a3140620aefc72c0adb3615162a4467/Mail%20in%20Ballot%20Form%20Voting%20MG%20TT%2004.jpg)
Minutes after Abbott's announcement, state Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, announced his campaign for the seat. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a670a00fa73979cd444c635d279a691b/Senator%20Fallon%20MG%20TT%2015.jpg)
With two storms gaining strength in the Gulf of Mexico, Abbott on Sunday declared a state of disaster in coastal counties and warned Texans to remember coronavirus health guidelines. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c7b774a8383246873ccc23b9af9246e2/Marco%20Laura%20Sunday%20Forecast%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
Luther is running to replace state Sen. Pat Fallon, R-Prosper, in a yet-to-be-called special election now that he is poised for a promotion to Congress. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7c7770f185f76d6d8bbc08ff618ab80d/Texas%20Bar%20Owners%20Fight%20Back%20Protest%20TT%2015.jpg)
Gonzales' runoff opponent, Raul Reyes, announced Friday evening that he was abandoning his recount effort. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/351c6bfe5b62c03ac2476fe2d9bf0ae7/Tony%20Gonzales%2001%20RJ%20TT.jpg)
Paxton's team had asked that the judge, Jason Luong, be recused from the case because the Texas attorney general's office is representing him — along with about 20 other Houston-area judges — in an unrelated lawsuit. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/21727e695c2fc32f1f4ad3e06c833737/06%20AG%20Ken%20Paxton%20MG%20TT.jpg)
The slogan — "We are the storm" — uses language commonly used by QAnon adherents. State GOP Chair Allen West says it's taken from a favorite quote. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a26c0af034b08113660a7dbd8ace805f/Allen%20West%20MKC%20TT.jpg)