Beto OโRourke announces $7.2 million in fundraising in first 46 days of campaign; Greg Abbott touts $18.9 million over last six months
The latest fundraising figures in the governorโs race confirm whatโs long been seen as the state of play: OโRourke is a strong fundraiser, but Abbott, with over $65 million saved up, is on another level.
Allen West blasts Gov. Greg Abbott over suicides, pay problems among National Guardsmen at the border
Abbottโs political challenger said guard members deployed to Operation Lone Star are facing late pay, being exposed to COVID-19, experiencing supply shortages and dealing with added stress that has led to multiple suicides tied to the mission.
Allen West, Texas GOP gubernatorial hopeful, hospitalized with COVID-19
GARLAND, Texas (AP) โ Tea party firebrand Allen West, a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor of Texas, said Saturday that he has received monoclonal antibody injections after being diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia.
myrgv.comAllen West Goes on Unhinged Anti-Vax Tirade Amid COVID Hospitalization
DOMINICK REUTERRight-wing firebrand Allen West on Sunday followed up the previous dayโs news that he contracted COVID-19 and was hospitalized with an off-the-rails Twitter rant against vaccination.The former congressman, who is not vaccinated, wrote that he and his wife Angela received monoclonal antibody treatments at an emergency room in Dallas on Saturday. โThe results were immediate,โ he claimed before noting that his wife, who is vaccinated, was allowed to go home while he stayed at the hos
news.yahoo.comUnvaxxed Allen West Has COVID Symptoms, Takes Unproven Meds
Kevin Hagen/GettyRight-winger Allen West has suspended in-person events for his Texas gubernatorial campaign because he developed COVID symptoms after his wife tested positive.In a Saturday morning Twitter thread, the Trump-loving ex-congressman said he has not gotten the COVID vaccine but is โalready taking Hydrochloroquine and Ivermectin protocolsโโtwo unproven drugs popular with the anti-vaxxer crowd.โAfter taking COVID and flu shots, Angela West tested positive for COVID yesterday, Friday,โ
news.yahoo.comA giant space rock demolished an ancient Middle Eastern city and everyone in it โ possibly inspiring the Biblical story of Sodom
Artist's evidence-based depiction of the blast, which had the power of 1,000 Hiroshimas. Allen West and Jennifer Rice, CC BY-NDAs the inhabitants of an ancient Middle Eastern city now called Tall el-Hammam went about their daily business one day about 3,600 years ago, they had no idea an unseen icy space rock was speeding toward them at about 38,000 mph (61,000 kph). Flashing through the atmosphere, the rock exploded in a massive fireball about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) above the ground. The blas
news.yahoo.comDallas police defend DWI arrest of GOP gubernatorial candidate Allen Westโs wife as her lawyer questions their evidence
An affidavit obtained by The Texas Tribune shows Angela Graham-West showed signs of intoxication in some โ but not all โ portions of a field sobriety test. Her lawyer attributes some issues to a previous brain aneurysm Graham-West suffered behind her right eye.
Allen West, GOP candidate for governor, calls wifeโs DWI arrest in Dallas โinsidiousโ
By Kate McGee, The Texas TribuneThe wife of Texas Republican gubernatorial candidate Allen West was arrested in Dallas County for allegedly driving while intoxicated Friday night, according to the Dallas Police Department and West himself. Graham-West was released from jail around 1 p.m. Saturday, according to West, who posted a video on Instagram early Saturday morning from the Dallas County jail. In the video, West angrily denied his wife had been drinking. West provided a photo of the receipt to the Tribune, which shows a lemonade, but lists no alcoholic beverages. West said his daughter and her husband picked up his grandson from the car on the side of the road.
myrgv.comAllen West, GOP candidate for governor, calls wifeโs DWI arrest in Dallas โinsidiousโ
Angela Graham-West, wife of GOP gubernatorial candidate Allen West, was arrested by Dallas Police Friday night for allegedly driving while intoxicated. Allen West said she hadnโt been drinking, that her three-month-old grandson was in the car with her, and called the arrest โinsidious.โ
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick blames Democrats for low vaccinations among Black residents, but more white Texans are unvaccinated
In Texas, the vaccination rate among Black people is low compared with other racial and ethnic groups, but in terms of raw numbers, the biggest group of the unvaccinated is white people.
Allen West announces he is running against Gov. Greg Abbott in Republican primary
Texas GOP Chairman Allen West announced Sunday he is running for governor, challenging fellow Republican Greg Abbott.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]
sanmarcosrecord.comAllen West will challenge Texas Gov. Abbott in GOP primary
Republican Allen West, the former Florida congressman and firebrand who rode into office on the tea party wave a decade ago, said Sunday that he will run for governor of Texas in a bid to again seize on restless anger from the right. Abbott is the most prodigious fundraiser of any governor in America, having started the year with nearly $40 million already socked away, and West is shunned by powerbrokers in his own party.
news.yahoo.comAllen West announces bid for Texas governor against Trump-endorsed Greg Abbott
Allen West declared on July Fourth that he is running for Texas governor, setting up a 2022 clash with incumbent Greg Abbott, a fellow Republican who is seeking a third term and has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump.
news.yahoo.comCapital Highlights โ Population gains, losses in state detailed
The U.S. Census Bureau has released is sub-county population estimates from April 2010 to July 2020. That includes population estimates for the 1,200 incorporated places in Texas.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]
sanmarcosrecord.comTexas GOP's Allen West resigns after combative run as chair
AUSTIN (AP) โ Texas GOP Chairman Allen West said Friday he is stepping down after a short but combative run of using the job to antagonize top Republicans in America's biggest red state, including protesting outside Gov. Greg Abbott's mansion. [San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]
sanmarcosrecord.comPolice arrest 3 in killing of man visiting Baltimore from Israel
Police arrested two teenagers and an 18-year-old man in connection with the killing of a man from Israel who was killed while visiting Baltimore. Efraim Gordon, 31, was shot and killed on May 3, in the 3700 block of Fords Lane in northwest Baltimore, police said. Family and friends said Gordon was visiting from Israel to attend his cousin's wedding. City police said Friday evening that detectives arrested a 16-year-old boy, a 17-year-old boy and William Clinton III, 18, all of Baltimore.
news.yahoo.comTexas GOPโs Allen West resigns after combative run as chair
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) โ Texas GOP Chairman Allen West said Friday he is stepping down after a short but combative run of using the job to antagonize top Republicans in America's biggest red state, including protesting outside Gov. Greg Abbott's mansion.
myrgv.comTexas GOP's Allen West resigns after combative run as chair
Texas GOP Chairman Allen West said Friday he is stepping down after a short but combative run of using the job to antagonize top Republicans in America's biggest red state, including protesting outside Gov. Greg Abbott's mansion. The decision intensified speculation that West, a firebrand who served one term in the U.S. House after coming up during the tea party movement in 2010, may run for statewide office in Texas. Abbott, who is running for a third term in 2022, was endorsed earlier this week by former President Donald Trump.
news.yahoo.comTexas officials speak at Qanon-affiliated event where Trump adviser Michael Flynn encouraged military coup on U.S. government
Texas GOP Chairman Allen West, Republican U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert and Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller each delivered remarks at the event. Marketing for the event included a logo featuring a cowboy hat with the letters โWWG1WGAโ around its band, a QAnon motto.
Texas pushes closer to dropping handgun license requirement
In Texas, where gun laws are among the loosest in the U.S., there is one line the state has long resisted crossing: making it legal to carry a handgun in public without a permit, background check or training. It wouldn't prevent businesses from banning guns on their property, and federal background checks for some gun purchases would remain in place.
news.yahoo.comTexas Rep. Chip Royโs lynching comments draw criticism from Texas GOP chair
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) is used to drawing heat from Democrats, but this week he caught ire from his own party for comments he made Thursday that glorified lynching. Thereโs old sayings in Texas about find all the rope in Texas and get a tall oak tree,โ he said before a House Judiciary Committee hearing on violence against Asian-Americans. Thatโs what we believe.โRoy later defended his comments, saying โwe need more justice and less thought policing.โThe comments drew backlash from Democrats, but on Friday, Texas GOP Chair Allen West also weighed in on the controversy, calling Royโs comments โinappropriate and unfortunateโ in a newly released statement. โWhile his comments about hanging were dumb, theyโre not grounds for resignation,โ West said. In response to Westโs comments, Roy said West โmight have had the courtesy to reach out to (him) personally,โ according to the Texas Tribune.
Social network Gab fuels latest conflict among Texas Republicans
A fight has broken out among Texas Republicans over Gab, the embattled social network favored by the far right. That sparked fierce criticism from the company โ and new questions from fellow some Republicans about Abbott's own commitment to fighting perceived censorship by social media giants. Gab promotes itself as a "free speech" alternative to social media behemoths like Facebook and Twitter. Earlier this year, Gab was among the alternative social media sites where Trump loyalists plotted the storming of the U.S. Capitol. "TexasGOP has no plan to deplatform from any of our social media accounts," the tweet said.
sacurrent.comSocial network Gab fuels latest conflict among Texas Republicans
|| Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas TribuneA fight has broken out among Texas Republicans over Gab, the embattled social network favored by the far right. That sparked fierce criticism from the company โ and new questions from fellow some Republicans about Abbott's own commitment to fighting perceived censorship by social media giants. AdGab promotes itself as a "free speech" alternative to social media behemoths like Facebook and Twitter. Earlier this year, Gab was among the alternative social media sites where Trump loyalists plotted the storming of the Capitol. "TexasGOP has no plan to deplatform from any of our social media accounts," the tweet said.
Greg Abbott killed the mask mandate. How else will he enable far-right conspiracy mongers?
Greg Abbott discusses an executive order during a 2020 press conference. Greg Abbottโs elimination of Texasโ mask mandate โneanderthal thinking,โ as President Joe Biden did. I hate โbig tent.โ I hate โinclusiveness.โ And I hate โoutreach.โโNever mind that Westโs math is off by one word, Abbott seems to have seized on the sentiment. When Abbott rushed ahead to reopen Texas businesses last May, COVID-19 rates skyrocketed. And when he finally implemented a statewide mask order in July, the numbers edged down again โ slowly but substantially.But the health risk is just one consequence of Abbottโs cowardly actions.
sacurrent.comCat Parks paves own path as Texas GOP vice chair under bombastic Allen West
Cat Parks, Republican Party of Texas vice chair, stood for the Pledge of Allegiance last month before speaking to The Woodlands Republican Womenโs Club. Now Parks is turning heads again as she paves her own path at the state party under Allen West, the bombastic former Florida congressman who has alienated some fellow Republicans with his sharp-elbowed leadership as chair. We should be the big-tent party,โ says Republican Party of Texas vice chair Cat Parks. She likes to say her first Republican meeting in Texas was in 2017 โ and it was the one where she was appointed county chair. If they are Republicans, we need them.โAdOne of Parksโ early supporters for vice chair was David Covey, the Orange County GOP chair whom she met through the Texas Republican County Chairmenโs Association.
Republican group planning support rally for 'courageous' Sen. Ted Cruz in San Antonio
Erin Scott / BloombergWhile Senator Ted Cruz has faced scrutiny most of the month for his recent moves in Congress, a local group is ending January with rally in support of him. The Republican Party of Bexar County, with Allen West as chairman, is tied to the Republican National Committee. The local installment is planning the rally outside the headquarters at 12000 Starcrest Drive on Jan. 30.
mysanantonio.comChristianity on display at Capitol riot sparks new debate
The Christian imagery and rhetoric on view during this months Capitol insurrection are sparking renewed debate about the societal effects of melding Christian faith with an exclusionary breed of nationalism. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)WASHINGTON โ The Christian imagery and rhetoric on view during this monthโs Capitol insurrection are sparking renewed debate about the societal effects of melding Christian faith with an exclusionary breed of nationalism. The rise of whatโs often called Christian nationalism has long prompted pushback from leaders in multiple denominations, with the Baptist Joint Committee on Religious Liberty forming the Christians Against Christian Nationalism coalition in 2019. โBut as a Christian, my highest allegiance is to Christ.โYet some supporters of former President Donald Trump say that denunciations of Christian nationalism are a way of attacking them politically. AdโThe fact that we saw QAnon, white supremacy and white Christianity all carried together in a violent attack on the Capitol means that particularly white Christians have got some real soul-searching to do,โ said Jones, author of two books on white Christianity in America.
Texas GOP asks people to follow it on Gab, a social media platform used by right-wing extremists
click to enlarge Wikimedia Commons / Gage SkidmoreFirebrand former congressman Allen West unseated James Dickey as head of the Texas GOP. The invitation comes as Texas GOP โ under the leadership of West, a one-term Florida congressman โCritics charge the phrase is a The invitation comes as Texas GOP โ under the leadership of West, a one-term Florida congressman โ continues to take heat for adopting the slogan "We are the storm" in August.Critics charge the phrase is aThe Texas Republican Party, under the leadership of firebrand former congressman Allen West, is asking supporters to follow it further to the fringe.On Saturday, the Texas GOP tweeted out a message urging followers to join it on "free speech" social media app Gab โ a story first reported by Newsweek After Amazon Web Services suspended conservative network Parler, Gab has become a magnet for extremist right-wing figures and adherents to QAnon conspiracy theories. The platform, which touts itself a bastion of free expression, has virtually no censorship rules and is regularly used by Neo-Nazis and white supremacists.dog whistle to QAnon conspiracy followers, who believe the "storm" is the moment Donald Trump will expose the network of satanic pedophiles who secretly run the government.West has defended the slogan, saying it stems from an unattributed quote he's fond of: "The devil whispers to the warrior slyly can it withstand the coming storm. The warrior responds, 'I am the storm.'"
sacurrent.comMix of extremists who stormed Capitol isn't retreating
FILE - In this Jan. 6, 2021, file photo, Trump supporters gather outside the Capitol in Washington. Militia members, white supremacists, paramilitary organizations and fervent supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump stood shoulder to shoulder, unified in rage. Iโm afraid that weโre going to have to be prepared for some worst-case scenarios for a while," said Amy Cooter, a senior lecturer in sociology at Vanderbilt University who studies U.S. militia groups. To understand the mix of extremists in the Capitol melee, it helps to look at history. ___This story has been corrected to show that the โTexas Militiaโ group gathered at the Statehouse in Auston while Trump was at the Texas border.
The Texas Legislature convenes for its 2021 session Tuesday. Here are 5 things to watch.
The 2021 session of the Texas Legislature will commence Tuesday amid pervasive uncertainty. The Texas Department of Public Safety is reportedly deploying additional resources and personnel to the state Capitol, and Gov. The Senate, meanwhile, has been more tight-lipped on what precautions will be in place during the legislative session. Beyond that, debates over police funding and reforms following the death of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed in Minneapolis police custody, are expected to play a central role during the legislative session. During his first session as lieutenant governor in 2015, the Senate dropped the threshold from two-thirds, or 21 members, to three-fifths, or 19 members.
Join The Texas Tribune for a live interview with Dade Phelan, presumptive speaker of the Texas House
Dade Phelan, presumptive speaker of the Texas House, sits down with The Texas Tribune for a live conversation on Jan. 11. Join The Texas Tribune at noon Central Jan. 11 for an interview with Dade Phelan, presumptive speaker of the Texas House, moderated by Tribune CEO Evan Smith. Phelan announced on Nov. 4 that he had secured enough votes to become speaker of the Texas House for the 2021 legislative session. The Texas Tribune thanks its sponsors. The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.
Supreme Court rejects Republican attack on Biden victory
Kathy Kratt of Orlando, Fla., displays her Trump flags as she and other protesters demonstrate their support for President Donald Trump at the Supreme Court in Washington, Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. Trump bemoaned the decision late Friday, tweeting: โThe Supreme Court really let us down. Two days after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed his suit, Trump jumped into the high court case. โIf the Supreme Court shows great Wisdom and Courage, the American People will win perhaps the most important case in history, and our Electoral Process will be respected again!โ he tweeted Friday afternoon. Many Republican voters in several states won by Biden have demanded that their elected officials find a way to invalidate the president-elect's victories.
Texas politicians flock to Georgia to aid in fight for U.S. Senate majority
No candidate cleared 50% of the vote in the respective races, and Georgia law requires a runoff in such cases. Earlier this week, Castro, the former U.S. housing secretary and San Antonio mayor, spent two days in Georgia stumping with both Ossoff and Warnock. Another high-profile Texas Republican, Crenshaw, has already visited the state and plans to return before the end of the month. The state party has been mobilizing volunteers on its Mighty Texas Strike Force to head to Georgia, with the largest deployment expected to happen after Christmas. In a sign of how the political world has gone all in on Georgia, the campaigners from Texas have not gone unnoticed by other out-of-state surrogates.
Allen West takes sharp-elbowed approach as Texas GOP chair, raising intraparty tension ahead of legislative session
In his first few months as Texas GOP chairman, Allen West has sued fellow Republican Gov. He argues he has done just that, crisscrossing the state and raising money to help candidates ahead of the election. Hinojosa promptly declined, but the impression left with political observers was clearer than ever: He was not going to be the typical state party chairman. I think that heโs doing what the people that elected him at our convention wanted him to do.โOthers on the State Republican Executive Committee are not so sure. โItโs not just Chairman West and the SREC โ itโs all the grassroots folks who took the time to weigh in at our convention.
Analysis: Texas Republicans and Allen West, their nettlesome party animal
Allen West is chair of the Republican Party of Texas. Their mutual toothacheโs name is Allen West, and he is the chair of the Republican Party of Texas. It is utterly absurd and demonstrably idiotic that any Republican would join with Democrats to lead our Republican majority (83-67) Texas State House,โ West wrote. They hold all of the statewide elected offices, along with majorities in the Texas Senate and Texas House. The state Capitol, for all its problems, is still a place where political party isnโt always the first order of business.
Texas governor backs GOP Rep. Dade Phelan for House speaker
AUSTIN, Texas โ Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday threw his support behind a Texas House speaker candidate who Texas' GOP chairman called a โpolitical traitor" for aligning with Democrats. Republican state Rep. Dade Phelan has claimed he has overwhelming support to become the new speaker when the Texas Legislature reconvenes in January. Abbott called Phelan is a โstrong conservativeโ and praised his role in authoring and passing disaster relief legislation following Hurricane Harvey. His support came a day after Texas GOP Chairman Allen West claimed the party would โnot support, nor acceptโ Phelan.
Texas GOP Chair says party will not "support or accept" Republican Rep. Dade Phelan as next House speaker
Phelan said last week he had support from a "supermajority of the Republican caucus" and a "broad coalition of support" from Democrats. West does not get to vote on the next speaker since he is not a House member. And past speaker candidates, including current Republican House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, who will retire at the end of his term, have claimed support from Democrats in their bids to help get to a majority of votes needed to preside over the House. Phelan, who has served in the lower chamber since 2015 and chairs the powerful House State Affairs Committee, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Phelan filed paperwork to run for speaker after a group of GOP members gathered and picked the lawmaker as their preferred candidate.
Leaders of both state political parties join Leading SA to discuss Bidenโs win, reflect on Texas elections
Leaders from both state political parties joined us Sunday on Leading SA to reflect on the Texas elections and react to Joe Biden being named the president-elect. โIโm absolutely elated as a Black woman to see a Black woman be selected as vice president-elect; just means so much. While we have been shattering the glass ceiling because we still have work to do, we have definitely broken that ceiling,โ Dr. Brailey said. โAbsolutely not, because when you look at the policies being promoted by the Democrat Party, they are policies that are not beneficial to the great state of Texas,โ West said. โTexas just was not quite ready to take that leap.โYou can watch the full interviews with West and Brailey in the video player above.
State GOP Chair Allen West, Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller join anti-Greg Abbott protest outside Governor's Mansion
Texas Republican Party Chair Allen West speaks to a crowd gathered at the Governorโs Mansion on Saturday to protest business closures and mask mandates. The "Free Texas" rally featured speeches from Texas GOP Chair Allen West and Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, both of whom invoked the governor critically. "And if the governor did not get this resolution, I'm gonna leave it right here, at the gates of the Governor's Mansion." Alt text: Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller speaks to a crowd gathered in front of the Governorโs Mansion to protest statewide business closures and mask mandates. "I told him that true leaders don't pick and choose when they do what is right," West said.
State GOP Chair Allen West calls on Donald Trump to visit Texas before Election Day
Allen West at The Texas Tribune Festival in 2016 Credit: Erich Schlagel for The Texas TribuneTexas GOP Chair Allen West would like to see President Donald Trump visit the state again before Election Day to help rally support for down-ballot candidates, the Republican leader said during a Texas Tribune Festival interview that aired Tuesday. โIโve got the message up to him,โ West, a former Florida congressman, told the Tribuneโs Patrick Svitek. โWeโre seeing the Democrats really focus up here in North Texas, between Dallas County, Collin, Denton and Tarrant County for those state House seats,โ West said, also referencing two contested congressional races in Texasโ 24th District and Texasโ 32nd District. West, who won the race for party chair in July, has at times openly disagreed with how Republican Gov. โWe cannot live in a state where an executive believes that they can change established law by themselves.