Analysis: Final pitches mark the end of the 2020 Texas primaries
You can tell by the number of visits from presidential candidates that the state is getting in the next few days: Election day is almost here. Full Story
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![Presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren takes questions from reporters following a town hall event in San Antonio on Feb. 27, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for the Texas Tribune -
Abbott's state-run camp for the homeless in Austin to be taken over by nonprofit with new shelter plans
The Texas Department of Transportation will begin lease negotiations with ATX Helps, which plans to construct a large shelter on the southeast Austin property where more than 100 people reside. Some camp residents say they're concerned about the proposed changes. Full Story
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![Tents at the state-run homeless encampment off of U.S. Highway 183 in Austin on Feb. 25, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: The Texas Supreme Court and the ruling class
A well-heeled loser of a lawsuit that went to the Texas Supreme Court did a detailed analysis and concluded that the big law firms that politically support the judges get the best results. Maybe money is the reason, maybe it's not. Full Story
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![The Texas Supreme Court on Jan. 15, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
This judge refused to toss Rick Perry’s indictment. Now Perry is backing his opponent in Court of Criminal Appeals race.
A PAC with close ties to Perry is backing Gina Parker’s campaign to oust incumbent Judge Bert Richardson in the GOP primary. Full Story
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![Republican Gina Parker is challenging incumbent Judge Bert Richardson in the GOP primary for the Place 3 seat on the state Court of Criminal Appeals.]()
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Speaking statistically, this GOP donor wants to convince you that money buys justice in Texas
After losing a case at the all-Republican Texas Supreme Court, millionaire Salem Abraham set out to mathematically test the idea that campaign contributions influence the elected justices. Now he wants to change the system. Full Story
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![Salem Abraham in his office on Dec. 19, 2019.]()
Credit: David Bowser for The Texas Tribune -
Hemp is booming in Texas. Distinguishing it from marijuana is still a challenge.
In this video, The Texas Tribune dug into hemp and marijuana with lawmakers, crime lab scientists, criminal defense attorneys and hemp entrepreneurs. Full Story
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![A container of dried hemp plant with leaves and stems on Jan. 23, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Why would a Texas Democrat want a seat in the Republican state Senate?
On paper, Texas senators have it better than their counterparts in the Texas House, but why would a Democrat want to work in a place where Republicans are fully and completely in control? Full Story
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![State Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville, chairman of the Intergovernmental Relations Committee, meets with fellow members on the Senate floor on May 10, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Is Texas political sentiment changing?
The 2020 elections are a test of whether Democratic hopes and Republican fears — borne of the close finishes in the 2018 elections — are justified. The UT/TT Poll results on that question offer some clues. Full Story
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![Ann Richards, left, on the campaign trail in 1988 and Clayton Williams during the campaign in 1990.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
In Democrats’ low-information judicial primaries, gender and ballot names may drive voters’ decisions
Fourteen Democrats are competing for seven seats on the Texas Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals. How do you win when no one knows your name? Full Story
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![Candidate campaign materials at the Texas Justice Tour event in Cedar Park on Feb. 16, 2020.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: A Texas Senate retirement and Bernie Sanders' new lead in the state
On this week's TribCast, Alexa talks to Emma, Cassi and Alex about what state Sen. Kirk Watson's retirement could mean for the Senate, Bernie Sanders' new lead in presidential polling in Texas and a Democratic judicial candidate's sexist comments about his opponent. Full Story
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![State Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, at a press conference at the Capitol on Feb. 18, 2020. Watson spoke about his retirement from the Texas Senate and his new upcoming position as the Founding Dean of the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Political Pick'em: Can you guess who will win these Texas primaries?
The Texas Tribune is excited to present a return of its Political Pick'em contest. We've selected a handful of competitive Texas primaries, and we want you to pick the candidates who you think will get the most votes. Full Story
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Judge calls opponent “selfish” for wanting to “break barriers” as first elected female chief justice of Texas Supreme Court
Jerry Zimmerer, an appellate judge in Houston, said his campaign differs from Amy Clark Meachum's because “I actually want the best candidate to win.” Full Story
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![Jerry Zimmerer is a Democratic candidate for chief justice of the state Supreme Court.]()
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After strong finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire, Pete Buttigieg turns to Texas
Starting Monday, the campaign will have 24 paid staffers in the state of Texas, which holds its primary March 3. Full Story
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![South Bend Mayor and presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg speaks with NBC's Stephanie Ruhle during an afternoon session Friday, Sept, 27th at the Texas Tribune Festival. Buttifieg, an openly gay Democrat, is lagging in most presidential polls.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Royce West helped flip Dallas County for Democrats in 2006. Could he flip Texas in 2020?
In a crowded Democratic field to challenge U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, the longtime state senator is betting on his decades of experience as a consensus builder. Full Story
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![State Sen. and Democratic candidate. for U.S. Senate Royce West in the lobby at 919 Congress Ave. on Feb. 4, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Our updated Texas 2020 Hotlist: The most competitive races in this year's primary
A couple of The Texas Tribune's political nerds highlight (their latest version of) the most interesting races up and down the 2020 primary ballot. Full Story
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Leader of Texas’ health department leaving after a year for Louisiana job
Courtney Phillips is leaving the state Health and Human Services Commission to take a job as Louisiana's new secretary of the Department of Health. Full Story
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![Courtney Phillips heads the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.]()
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Beto O’Rourke’s flock remains loyal while his party debates whether to move on
The question facing Texas Democrats: Can the party capitalize on the energy he brings out of his supporters while minimizing the counter-energy he seems to provoke from the right? Full Story
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![Democratic Presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke speaks at Texas Southern University in Houston on March 30, 2019.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: The politics of paying one Texan’s local sales taxes to another Texan’s city
A longstanding economic development incentive tied to local sales taxes has run into a hurdle, as voters find out some of their local dollars are ending up in faraway localities. Blame the internet. Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez’s unlikely ally in her quest to take on John Cornyn: Alec Baldwin
In Baldwin, most recently known for his recurring portrayal of President Donald Trump on ”Saturday Night Live,” Tzintzún Ramirez has found a generous financial supporter and an informal adviser. Full Story
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![Author and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez at her home in Austin on Jan. 31, 2020.]()
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"Neglected" college campuses on Texas border want a little love, and better Wi-Fi
At three lonely satellite campuses of Sul Ross State University, students and teachers say they're stuck with broken technology and few resources. Their dreams of blooming into an independent four-year university seem doomed, but they hope things might get better under a new university president. Full Story
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![Professor Michael Ortiz conducts a modern abstract algebra class for Sul Ross students in Uvalde while students in remote classrooms in Eagle Pass and Del Rio join in online.]()
Credit: Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribune