INSIDER
Colin Allred responds to comparisons with Beto O’Rourke’s campaign, defends his strategy
Read full article: Colin Allred responds to comparisons with Beto O’Rourke’s campaign, defends his strategyAllred has run a more traditional campaign in his bid to unseat U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, focusing on targeted ads and moderate policy.
U.S. Rep. Randy Weber kicked out of House Freedom Caucus
Read full article: U.S. Rep. Randy Weber kicked out of House Freedom CaucusWeber, who has disagreed with the hard-right caucus’ tactics during the House Speaker election last year, said Caucus Chair Bob Good expelled him after missing some of the group’s weekly meetings.
U.S. Rep. Pat Fallon drops Texas Senate bid, will run again for Congress
Read full article: U.S. Rep. Pat Fallon drops Texas Senate bid, will run again for CongressFallon, who made the decision 24 hours after filing to run for his old Texas Senate seat, did not say why he changed his mind. His staff said the congressperson would provide more information later.
U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul dismisses House GOP Israel package as going nowhere
Read full article: U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul dismisses House GOP Israel package as going nowhereThe bill is among the first major legislative packages by House Speaker Mike Johnson and has faced criticism for tying the aid to a cut to the IRS.
Jim Jordan snags more Texas support in troubled bid for House Speaker
Read full article: Jim Jordan snags more Texas support in troubled bid for House SpeakerA handful of Texas Republicans back the Ohio Republican’s speaker bid after initially backing the former frontrunner, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise
Watch a conversation on Ukraine, Russia and U.S. foreign policy at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival
Read full article: Watch a conversation on Ukraine, Russia and U.S. foreign policy at the 2023 Texas Tribune FestivalPanelists discussed the current situation with the war, U.S. involvement and what the stakes are for everybody.
Texas Democrats rally around Joe Biden as he announces reelection bid
Read full article: Texas Democrats rally around Joe Biden as he announces reelection bidTexas Democrats are hopeful Biden can run a competitive race in the historically red state — especially if the GOP nominee is Donald Trump again.
Texas looms large in 2024 presidential race as Trump, others angle for early support
Read full article: Texas looms large in 2024 presidential race as Trump, others angle for early supportThe former president is courting state support as other GOP candidates try to emerge from his shadow, including Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley.
Texas’ U.S. Rep. Chip Roy says Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis should be president
Read full article: Texas’ U.S. Rep. Chip Roy says Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis should be presidentThe Austin Republican is the staunch conservative who led 19 House members in blocking Kevin McCarthy’s bid for the speakership. “I believe it’s time for a new generation of leadership,” he said of DeSantis.
For U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, national security can’t be a partisan fight
Read full article: For U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, national security can’t be a partisan fightThe Austin Republican and new chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee hopes to reach across the aisle to project a unified front as the country faces new threats, despite a staunchly conservative record.
“It takes time to get stuff done”: Texas’ newest member of Congress promises results, not rhetoric
Read full article: “It takes time to get stuff done”: Texas’ newest member of Congress promises results, not rhetoricNathaniel Moran, the former Smith County judge, has promised to be a staunch conservative who will pass legislation. That worries some of his constituents.
New Congress will feature few leadership roles for the many Texans in the U.S. House
Read full article: New Congress will feature few leadership roles for the many Texans in the U.S. HouseTexans will chair some powerful committees in the House, but their roles in top leadership elections last week were more often as anti-establishment voices than contenders.
Monica De La Cruz is the first Republican to represent Texas’ 15th Congressional District. What will she do with it?
Read full article: Monica De La Cruz is the first Republican to represent Texas’ 15th Congressional District. What will she do with it?After finally flipping the Democratic district, Monica De La Cruz vowed to “represent all of South Texas” and likely will be influential on border issues.
Republicans outraise Democrats in battle for South Texas congressional seats
Read full article: Republicans outraise Democrats in battle for South Texas congressional seatsThe three GOP candidates raked in a combined $4.3 million over the past three months, and their Democratic competitors got $2.4 million together, according to new campaign finance filings.
A Texas congresswoman wants to make cancer care easier for the growing number of female veterans
Read full article: A Texas congresswoman wants to make cancer care easier for the growing number of female veteransU.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, hopes the pilot program will help female veterans get better access to cancer care.
Republican Texas Congressman Dan Crenshaw takes aim at his own party’s “woke right” for stoking division
Read full article: Republican Texas Congressman Dan Crenshaw takes aim at his own party’s “woke right” for stoking divisionIn an interview at The Texas Tribune Festival, Crenshaw harshly criticized extremists at both ends of the political spectrum.
District director for U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores resigns amid sexual harassment allegations
Read full article: District director for U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores resigns amid sexual harassment allegationsFlores’ district director, Aron Peña, was accused of touching and kissing an intern without her consent. He denies any wrongdoing.
U.S. Senate approves bill containing Texas’ “Ike Dike” coastal protection project
Read full article: U.S. Senate approves bill containing Texas’ “Ike Dike” coastal protection projectThe U.S. Senate voted to authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin planning for a massive coastal barrier project in Galveston Bay meant to protect against hurricanes’ storm surge. Funding is not yet secured.
To stay in Congress, Mayra Flores bets Democratic South Texas is ready for an outspoken conservative
Read full article: To stay in Congress, Mayra Flores bets Democratic South Texas is ready for an outspoken conservativeA Mexican immigrant who worked in cotton fields to pay for school supplies, Flores is a source of hope for Republicans looking to gain ground in the Rio Grande Valley. But her staying power will be put to the test this November.
TribCast: San Antonio tractor-trailer tragedy, the end of Roe v. Wade and the Jan. 6 hearings
Read full article: TribCast: San Antonio tractor-trailer tragedy, the end of Roe v. Wade and the Jan. 6 hearingsFor this week’s episode, Patrick speaks with Tribune reporters about the latest Texas headlines on immigration, abortion and the Jan. 6 investigation.
Biden signs bipartisan gun measure negotiated by Sen. John Cornyn after Uvalde shooting
Read full article: Biden signs bipartisan gun measure negotiated by Sen. John Cornyn after Uvalde shootingThe new law contains modest provisions but is the most significant gun measure passed by Congress in nearly three decades.
Republicans flood South Texas special election as national Democrats keep distance
Read full article: Republicans flood South Texas special election as national Democrats keep distanceThe GOP is spending big to capture an open congressional seat in South Texas — if only for a few months — as they try to create momentum toward a November election where they are newly targeting the region.
Two Democrats, two Republicans will compete in special election for South Texas congressional seat that GOP wants to flip
Read full article: Two Democrats, two Republicans will compete in special election for South Texas congressional seat that GOP wants to flipThe winner of the special election will replace former U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville, who resigned last month to work for Akin Gump.
How a Plano toy inventor helped push U.S. Rep. Van Taylor out of office
Read full article: How a Plano toy inventor helped push U.S. Rep. Van Taylor out of officeJosh Malone funded a super PAC that spent over $400,000 working to defeat the Plano congressman, who got forced into a primary runoff and then admitted to an affair and ended his campaign.
Watch: U.S. House candidate Greg Casar pushes progressive policies but stresses cooperation among Democrats
Read full article: Watch: U.S. House candidate Greg Casar pushes progressive policies but stresses cooperation among DemocratsCasar won the Democratic primary for Texas’ 35th Congressional District in a landslide victory last month and is expected to win the general election in November.
Ted Cruz clashes with Democrats during heated confirmation hearing for Ketanji Brown Jackson
Read full article: Ted Cruz clashes with Democrats during heated confirmation hearing for Ketanji Brown JacksonCruz argued with the committee’s chair over procedure, leading to an accusation that he was performing for the television cameras.
U.S. Rep. Van Taylor ends reelection campaign after he admits to affair
Read full article: U.S. Rep. Van Taylor ends reelection campaign after he admits to affairTaylor made the stunning announcement hours after he finished his five-way primary with 49% of the vote. Former Collin County Judge Keith Self, who finished second, is now likely to become the next congressman for the 3rd District.
Will an FBI raid boost Laredo progressive Jessica Cisneros’ bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar?
Read full article: Will an FBI raid boost Laredo progressive Jessica Cisneros’ bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar?Cisneros came within 4 percentage points of unseating the moderate Cuellar in 2020. He seemed better prepared to fend her off in 2022 — until the FBI raided his office.
Analysis: The road from the Texas Legislature to statewide office isn’t Easy Street
Read full article: Analysis: The road from the Texas Legislature to statewide office isn’t Easy StreetThe statewide races on the March primary ballots are sprinkled with the names of state and federal legislators from Texas. You might think they have the upper hand in those contests. Maybe, and maybe not.
Ken Paxton targets Louie Gohmert in hotly contested primary for attorney general
Read full article: Ken Paxton targets Louie Gohmert in hotly contested primary for attorney generalPaxton’s attack ads suggest that he sees Gohmert as a bigger threat than the other two Republicans in the race — Land Commissioner George P. Bush and former state Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman.
Frontrunners for Texas’ new congressional seats look to send message with decisive primary wins
Read full article: Frontrunners for Texas’ new congressional seats look to send message with decisive primary winsU.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, is the favorite to return to Congress via Texas’ 37th District, while Republican Wesley Hunt is the leading contender in the 38th District.
Texas may get a coastal storm barrier, but will it be too late?
Read full article: Texas may get a coastal storm barrier, but will it be too late?The federal infrastructure bill’s passage renewed hopes that Texas would finally get a coastal storm barrier. But Galveston and Houston could still get hit by a hurricane before it is built.
U.S. Department of Justice sues Texas over new political maps
Read full article: U.S. Department of Justice sues Texas over new political mapsTexas lawmakers illegally discriminated against voters of color by drawing new political districts that give white voters more political power despite rapid growth of Hispanic and Black populations, the department claims in its lawsuit.
U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson announces retirement after almost 3 decades in Congress
Read full article: U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson announces retirement after almost 3 decades in CongressJohnson, one of the longest serving members in Congress, had previously indicated that her current term would be her last.
Among El Pasoans, Beto O’Rourke’s gubernatorial run excites loyal fans and revives longtime grudges
Read full article: Among El Pasoans, Beto O’Rourke’s gubernatorial run excites loyal fans and revives longtime grudgesEl Pasoans who have followed O’Rourke’s political career are excited about his run for governor. But his critics still remember his support of a development plan that could have displaced Mexican American residents from one of the city’s oldest barrios.
In fast-growing Central Texas, redistricting sparks political reshuffling in upcoming statehouse and congressional races
Read full article: In fast-growing Central Texas, redistricting sparks political reshuffling in upcoming statehouse and congressional racesThe fast-growing region likely will see a considerable number of new state and federal lawmakers after the 2022 election. And in many cases, they will be representing districts whose boundaries have significantly shifted.
First lawsuit filed challenging new Texas political maps as intentionally discriminatory
Read full article: First lawsuit filed challenging new Texas political maps as intentionally discriminatoryBefore they’re even signed into law, the state’s new maps for congressional and statehouse districts have been challenged in federal court by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.
Longtime U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett will run in the Austin area's new congressional district
Read full article: Longtime U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett will run in the Austin area's new congressional districtThe Austin Democrat, who has served in Congress since 1995, currently represents the 35th District, which stretches down to San Antonio. He will run in the newly created 37th District located in Travis County.
Proposed new congressional seat in Houston gets prominent GOP candidate
Read full article: Proposed new congressional seat in Houston gets prominent GOP candidateWesley Hunt, an Army combat veteran who ran a close congressional contest last year in the Houston area, announced Tuesday he plans to run for the state's new 38th Congressional District in the same region.
8 candidates file for special election to replace former state Rep. Jake Ellzey
Read full article: 8 candidates file for special election to replace former state Rep. Jake EllzeyFive Republicans and one Democrat are vying to fill Ellzey's seat after he won a promotion to Congress last month. The filing deadline was 5 p.m. Thursday.
Jessica Cisneros will again challenge U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar in Democratic primary for congressional seat
Read full article: Jessica Cisneros will again challenge U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar in Democratic primary for congressional seatCuellar’s campaign confirmed that the congressman, who has served since 2005, will seek another term in 2022.
How Republican Jake Ellzey's bipartisan appeal, positive campaign helped him upset Trump's pick for Congress
Read full article: How Republican Jake Ellzey's bipartisan appeal, positive campaign helped him upset Trump's pick for CongressWright’s coveted endorsement from Trump — which appeared so powerful in propelling her to the top in the initial election — may have contributed to her undoing in the runoff where state Rep. Jake Ellzey benefited from a more bipartisan appeal, coupled with a more positive, energetic campaign.
Without Trump’s endorsement, Jake Ellzey pushes for upset in TX-6 special election runoff against Susan Wright
Read full article: Without Trump’s endorsement, Jake Ellzey pushes for upset in TX-6 special election runoff against Susan WrightEllzey and Wright are vying to succeed her late husband, U.S. Rep. Ron Wright, R-Arlington, in the 6th District in North Texas. Early voting for the runoff started Monday and ends Friday.
Texas House Democrat Michelle Beckley announces run against Republican U.S. Rep. Beth Van Duyne
Read full article: Texas House Democrat Michelle Beckley announces run against Republican U.S. Rep. Beth Van DuyneBeckley 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.
U.S. House calls for Russia to free Texan who's been imprisoned since 2019
Read full article: U.S. House calls for Russia to free Texan who's been imprisoned since 2019Trevor Reed, a 29-year-old resident of Granbury, was arrested in August 2019 on specious grounds, according to news reports and American diplomats, and his supporters say he’s being held on trumped-up charges because he’s a retired Marine.
In first trip to U.S.-Mexico border as vice president, Kamala Harris focuses on causes of immigration
Read full article: In first trip to U.S.-Mexico border as vice president, Kamala Harris focuses on causes of immigrationHarris toured Border Patrol facilities in El Paso and met with local groups that aid migrants, but Republicans continued to attack her for not visiting the Rio Grande Valley, where a large number of border apprehensions are happening.
Bipartisan group of Texans in the U.S. House support ending president’s authority to use military force in Iraq
Read full article: Bipartisan group of Texans in the U.S. House support ending president’s authority to use military force in IraqAll Texas Democratic members backed the bill, along with five Republicans: U.S. Reps. Michael Burgess of Lewisville, Michael Cloud of Victoria, Lance Gooden of Terrell, Louie Gohmert of Tyler and Chip Roy of Austin.
After 2020 disappointments, Democrats look to prioritize year-round organizing
Read full article: After 2020 disappointments, Democrats look to prioritize year-round organizingTwo former congressional candidates, Julie Oliver and Mike Siegel, are hoping to help Democrats learn the lessons of 2020 with a new group called Ground Game Texas.