Texas Republicans rally their base at CPAC, but draw criticism over Hungarian prime minister’s appearance
Viktor Orbán appeared at the convention in Dallas after saying last week that Europeans “do not want to become peoples of mixed race.” Texas officials attending, though, stayed focused on criticizing Democrats.
Texas House Democrat Michelle Beckley announces run against Republican U.S. Rep. Beth Van Duyne
Beckley unveiled her plans in a video filmed inside a hotel room in the nation’s capital, where state House Democrats fled earlier this month to break quorum in protest of Republicans’ priority elections bill.
Ex-campaign spokesman kills self outside Texas congresswoman’s home
Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) wears a protective mask while walking through the Canon Tunnel to the U.S. Capitol on January 12, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds/Getty Images)IRVING, Texas – A former campaign spokesman for freshman Rep. Beth Van Duyne, of Texas, shot and killed himself outside of the Irving Republican’s home, police said Thursday. The congresswoman was inside her home when she heard a gunshot Wednesday afternoon, looked outside and saw Richard Christian Dillard’s body, Officer Robert Reeves said. He also was a public affairs officer for the Texas State Guard. I’m devastated for her, his daughter and grandchildren, we are praying for Chris’s family and loved ones and ask that everyone please respect their privacy,” Van Duyne, a former Irving mayor, added.
How Texans in Congress voted on the objections to certify Joe Biden's win
Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi preside over a joint session of Congress to certify the 2020 Electoral College results, after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol earlier in the day. But overall, Congress overwhelmingly voted against the objection by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, to the certification of Arizona's results. Later, the Senate voted 92-7 against an objection to certifying Pennsylvania's results; House members rejected it 282-138. All Texas Democrats voted against the objections. New Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-Irving, was the only Texan to split her vote — she supported certifying Arizona's results but voted against certifying Pennsylvania's.
Despite an attack on the U.S. Capitol, here are the 17 Texas Republicans who still voted to overturn election results
However, despite all of this, 147 Republican lawmakers still stood by their decision to stand in the way of certifying the presidential election, and perpetuate a lie that ultimately ended in violence. Of course, after the fascist mob was cleared from the U.S. Capitol, the House then reconvened and rejected the Arizona challenge by a vote of 303-121 and the Pennsylvania challenge by a vote of 282-138. Here are the 17 Texas Republicans who, despite the first non-peaceful transfer of power in 220 years because of Trump’s baseless rhetoric, still voted to sustain one or both objections:U.S. Sen. Ted CruzU.S. Rep. Jodey ArringtonU.S. Rep. Brian BabinU.S. Rep. Michael C. BurgessU.S. Rep. John R. CarterU.S. Rep. Michael CloudU.S. Rep. Pat FallonU.S. Rep. Louie GohmertU.S. Rep. Lance GoodenU.S. Rep. Ronny JacksonU.S. Rep. “I will be introducing a resolution calling for their expulsion.”A version of this article first appeared in Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, an affiliated publication. Sign up for our Weekly Headlines Newsletter.
sacurrent.comBeth Van Duyne could be the GOP’s antidote to high-profile progressives when she joins Congress
But Van Duyne easily sailed through a five-way primary to win the Republican nomination to replace U.S. Rep. Kenny Marchant, R-Coppell. To be sure, Van Duyne will be a freshman member of the chamber’s minority party when she is sworn in next month. “The people spoke loud and clear that they’re ready for a change,” Van Duyne said after her first mayoral victory. “People talk about, ‘Oh you’re so brave,’” Van Duyne said during a 2015 speaking engagement, according to The Morning News. On the same day in 2019 that Marchant, the outgoing U.S. House member who Van Duyne replaced, announced he wouldn’t seek another term in Congress, Van Duyne said she planned to run for the seat.
A handful of battleground races in Texas remain unsettled days after Election Day
In Texas, Monday is the last day for counties to receive overseas and military mail-in ballots. Valenzuela and Van Duyne were competing to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Kenny Marchant, R-Coppell, in what national Democrats saw as one of their best pickup opportunities in Texas. 1 finisher, Van Duyne, has called on the current runner-up to accept defeat. Neither Decision Desk HQ, which is powering The Texas Tribune's results, nor the Associated Press have called the race for Van Duyne. "Once again, I will repeat, Beth Van Duyne will be the Congresswoman for Texas’ 24th District," Van Duyne's campaign manager, Donald Rickard, said in a statement Thursday.
sacurrent.comAt the center of many Texas congressional battles: Who will protect preexisting conditions rules?
“It’s frankly disgusting that they say they’re going to protect preexisting conditions when they want to repeal the Affordable Care Act without a plan to replace it. Her campaign didn’t respond to a question how she would prefer to protect preexisting conditions. “Your little line isn’t cute, John, it’s potentially deadly for 5 million Texans with pre-existing conditions,” Hegar tweeted. I look forward to getting on the Hill and working toward a replacement that covers preexisting conditions." 692, which would preserve health care for people with preexisting conditions if the Affordable Care Act was changed or repealed.