BREAKING NEWS
Rep. Alma Allen, longtime Houston Democratic lawmaker, to retire from Texas House
Read full article: Rep. Alma Allen, longtime Houston Democratic lawmaker, to retire from Texas HouseAllen, known for her focus on public education issues, announced her retirement after 20 years in the House. She endorsed her son, Lawrence Allen Jr., to succeed her.
In rapidly diversifying Tarrant County, a summer of GOP redistricting hits Black and Latino representation
Read full article: In rapidly diversifying Tarrant County, a summer of GOP redistricting hits Black and Latino representationDespite explosive growth turning Tarrant into a racially diverse swing county, two new political maps will leave it with whiter, more Republican representation.
Gov. Greg Abbott signs new Texas congressional map designed to give GOP five more seats
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott signs new Texas congressional map designed to give GOP five more seatsThe governor was expected to sign off on the new district lines, which passed the Legislature last week and aim to flip five Democratic seats in the 2026 midterms.
As Republicans make gains in the Rio Grande Valley, Democrats are fighting among themselves
Read full article: As Republicans make gains in the Rio Grande Valley, Democrats are fighting among themselvesA faction of Hidalgo County Democrats has raised concerns over how the party is spending money and blocking the group from doing business for several months.
Texas Rep. John Lujan files to run in redrawn 35th Congressional District
Read full article: Texas Rep. John Lujan files to run in redrawn 35th Congressional DistrictLujan, a Republican, represents a state House district that covers southern and eastern portions of San Antonio, overlapping with the new congressional seat.
Minneapolis gunman appears to promote “Brandon Herrera for president” in video posted before shooting
Read full article: Minneapolis gunman appears to promote “Brandon Herrera for president” in video posted before shootingHerrera, a gun rights activist with millions of online followers, said he was “disgusted” to be mentioned by the shooter. Herrera is challenging U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales in the Republican primary.
Former GOP Rep. Mayra Flores switches districts to challenge Rep. Vicente Gonzalez for third time
Read full article: Former GOP Rep. Mayra Flores switches districts to challenge Rep. Vicente Gonzalez for third timeFlores, who was going to challenge Rep. Henry Cuellar, is returning to her old district after a newly passed map improves Republicans’ chances of ousting Gonzalez.
Texas lawmakers to consider restoring limits on late voter registration changes
Read full article: Texas lawmakers to consider restoring limits on late voter registration changesLegislation pushed by Gov. Greg Abbott would bar voters at the polls from immediately casting a ballot based on a last-minute update to their address.
Cruz, Paxton issue dueling endorsements in Texas attorney general GOP primary
Read full article: Cruz, Paxton issue dueling endorsements in Texas attorney general GOP primaryAaron Reitz and Chip Roy, positioning themselves as Paxton’s ideological heirs, have served as top aides for both the attorney general and Cruz.
Texas Senate approves GOP congressional map, sending plan to Abbott’s desk
Read full article: Texas Senate approves GOP congressional map, sending plan to Abbott’s deskRepublican lawmakers pushed the map through over fierce Democratic opposition, positioning the GOP to net up to five additional seats in Texas.
Doggett won’t seek reelection to Congress if new district is upheld by courts, paving way for Casar
Read full article: Doggett won’t seek reelection to Congress if new district is upheld by courts, paving way for CasarCasar moved quickly to coalesce Austin Democrats, launching his campaign for the 37th Congressional District Monday with endorsements from 42 current and former Texas elected officials.
Former Speaker Dade Phelan won’t seek reelection to Texas House
Read full article: Former Speaker Dade Phelan won’t seek reelection to Texas HouseAs speaker, Phelan oversaw passage of numerous conservative priorities, but he gave up the gavel under pressure from the far right over the House’s impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton.
GOP state Rep. Briscoe Cain files for redrawn 9th Congressional District
Read full article: GOP state Rep. Briscoe Cain files for redrawn 9th Congressional DistrictThe Houston-area district, currently occupied by Democratic Rep. Al Green, is being redrawn by GOP lawmakers to favor Republicans and cover almost entirely new territory.
Texas House approves GOP congressional map after two-week delay from Democrats’ walkout
Read full article: Texas House approves GOP congressional map after two-week delay from Democrats’ walkoutRepublican lawmakers are pursuing the unusual mid-decade redistricting plan amid pressure from President Donald Trump to protect the GOP’s slim majority in the U.S. House.
Texas Democrats say they will return to state once session ends, California unveils retaliatory map
Read full article: Texas Democrats say they will return to state once session ends, California unveils retaliatory mapIn a statement, the House Democratic Caucus said its lawyers had advised returning “to build a strong public legislative record for the upcoming legal battle” against the GOP’s map.
Casar, Doggett would run for same Austin congressional seat under GOP map, setting up clash of generations
Read full article: Casar, Doggett would run for same Austin congressional seat under GOP map, setting up clash of generationsThe contest would unearth brewing Democratic tensions over age and experience, forcing Austin politicos to choose between two well-liked progressives.
Illinois court rejects Texas request to enforce arrest warrants against House Democrats
Read full article: Illinois court rejects Texas request to enforce arrest warrants against House DemocratsJudge Scott Larson ruled that the Texas speaker and attorney general had “failed to present a legal basis for the court” to take up the issue.
Texas Senate approves new congressional lines as House Democrats remain out of state
Read full article: Texas Senate approves new congressional lines as House Democrats remain out of stateDemocrats' absence has halted work in the Texas House, which must also approve the new boundaries, for more than a week.
Texas Supreme Court won’t rule for weeks on GOP requests to expel Democrats who left the state
Read full article: Texas Supreme Court won’t rule for weeks on GOP requests to expel Democrats who left the stateThe governor and attorney general have asked the court to find that Democratic lawmakers abandoned their seats when they left Texas to delay a new congressional map.
In redistricting clash, Texas GOP flexes power to shut down Democrats’ last tool of resistance
Read full article: In redistricting clash, Texas GOP flexes power to shut down Democrats’ last tool of resistanceSince Democratic lawmakers left Texas to delay Republicans’ new map, state leaders have challenged the limits of traditional democratic norms to break the impasse.
Gun rights YouTuber Brandon Herrera to challenge U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales again in GOP primary
Read full article: Gun rights YouTuber Brandon Herrera to challenge U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales again in GOP primaryHerrera, who came within 400 votes of ousting Gonzales in a 2024 runoff, is once again positioning himself to the right of the incumbent.
Ken Paxton asks Texas Supreme Court to expel 13 House Democrats over redistricting standoff
Read full article: Ken Paxton asks Texas Supreme Court to expel 13 House Democrats over redistricting standoffGov. Greg Abbott previously asked the court to expel Rep. Gene Wu, the House Democratic leader. Paxton disputed the governor’s authority to make the request.
Rep. James Talarico mulls U.S. Senate bid as his profile rises amid Texas Democrats’ redistricting standoff
Read full article: Rep. James Talarico mulls U.S. Senate bid as his profile rises amid Texas Democrats’ redistricting standoffThe Democratic state lawmaker has inquired about Senate television ad rates, two sources told the Tribune.
John Cornyn enters critical window to change trajectory of Texas Senate primary against Ken Paxton
Read full article: John Cornyn enters critical window to change trajectory of Texas Senate primary against Ken PaxtonThe annual summer break is a critical window for Texas’ senior senator, whose allies are blitzing the airwaves with ads courting primary voters — and President Donald Trump.
Denying quorum has been a Texas political strategy since 1870
Read full article: Denying quorum has been a Texas political strategy since 1870While the Democrats could technically derail the GOP’s redistricting map, such efforts have been largely symbolic and had limited success blocking past legislation, experts say.
Gov. Greg Abbott asks Texas Supreme Court to expel House Democratic leader who left state
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott asks Texas Supreme Court to expel House Democratic leader who left stateLegal experts say it’s “inconsistent with the Texas Constitution” to argue that leaving the state to halt legislative action qualifies as abandoning an office.
Beto O’Rourke’s political group is a top funder for Texas Democrats’ exodus to block GOP congressional map
Read full article: Beto O’Rourke’s political group is a top funder for Texas Democrats’ exodus to block GOP congressional mapThe former El Paso congressman also contributed to House Democrats’ 2021 quorum break. A PAC backed by Democratic donor George Soros is also involved in this year’s effort.
Texas House Democrats flee the state in bid to block GOP’s proposed congressional map
Read full article: Texas House Democrats flee the state in bid to block GOP’s proposed congressional mapThe lawmakers’ absence means the lower chamber won’t have enough members present to function, stalling passage of a draft map Democrats have condemned as a political power grab.
Texas House Republicans unveil new congressional map that looks to pick up five GOP seats
Read full article: Texas House Republicans unveil new congressional map that looks to pick up five GOP seatsThe first draft of the lower chamber’s new redistricting map targets Democratic members of Congress in the Austin, Dallas and Houston metro areas and in South Texas.
Texas Democrats are fundraising to potentially leave the state to block GOP-backed redistricting
Read full article: Texas Democrats are fundraising to potentially leave the state to block GOP-backed redistrictingThe money could be used to cover the $500-a-day fines lawmakers would incur under House rules set to discourage members from absconding after Democrats fled the state in 2021.
GOP Army veteran announces challenge to Democrat Vicente Gonzalez in South Texas congressional district
Read full article: GOP Army veteran announces challenge to Democrat Vicente Gonzalez in South Texas congressional districtThe prospect of Eric Flores’ candidacy has excited Republicans in Texas and Washington, due in part to his military and law enforcement credentials.
Texas House redistricting committee’s Houston hearing draws criticism over absence of maps
Read full article: Texas House redistricting committee’s Houston hearing draws criticism over absence of mapsDemocratic members slammed the process, questioning why hearings were happening before maps were available for review. Chair Cody Vasut said follow-up public hearings will be scheduled once maps are filed.
Texas Republicans, including Gov. Abbott, were reluctant to redraw the state’s congressional maps. Then Trump got involved.
Read full article: Texas Republicans, including Gov. Abbott, were reluctant to redraw the state’s congressional maps. Then Trump got involved.The governor eventually agreed to include redistricting on his special session agenda after discussing the matter with the president on a phone call.
Texas Democrats vow to use delay tactics to drag out GOP redistricting effort
Read full article: Texas Democrats vow to use delay tactics to drag out GOP redistricting effortWith few options to prevent the Republican majority from passing a new congressional map, Democrats threatened to filibuster, delay hearings and even break quorum.
Sen. John Cornyn outraises AG Ken Paxton by $1 million in first three months of Senate primary matchup — but there’s a catch
Read full article: Sen. John Cornyn outraises AG Ken Paxton by $1 million in first three months of Senate primary matchup — but there’s a catchCornyn will need to use his deep coffers to overcome an early polling deficit to Paxton, who is looking to deny the GOP incumbent’s bid for a fifth term.
Gov. Greg Abbott sets Nov. 4 special election for open state Senate seat
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott sets Nov. 4 special election for open state Senate seatThe contest coincides with the state’s November uniform election, when voters across Texas will already be at the polls to decide local offices and ballot measures.
Top Paxton deputy accused of witness tampering during impeachment trial
Read full article: Top Paxton deputy accused of witness tampering during impeachment trialIn dueling lawsuits, current and former employees of the attorney general’s office sling allegations that threaten to intrude on Paxton’s U.S. Senate bid.
Progressive Rep. Greg Casar has a playbook he wants Democrats to use in 2026
Read full article: Progressive Rep. Greg Casar has a playbook he wants Democrats to use in 2026Casar, the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, thinks economic populism and “authentic candidates” can win back recently converted GOP voters.
State Rep. Nate Schatzline drops Texas Senate bid, endorses conservative activist Leigh Wambsganss
Read full article: State Rep. Nate Schatzline drops Texas Senate bid, endorses conservative activist Leigh WambsganssThe North Texas district opened up last week when Republican Kelly Hancock resigned from the upper chamber to take over as the state’s acting comptroller.
Sen. Joan Huffman joins GOP field vying to succeed Ken Paxton as Texas attorney general
Read full article: Sen. Joan Huffman joins GOP field vying to succeed Ken Paxton as Texas attorney generalIn her announcement, Huffman framed herself as the most experienced candidate, pointing to her time as a prosecutor, judge and chair of key Senate committees.
Here are some of the Texas Democrats eyeing statewide runs in 2026
Read full article: Here are some of the Texas Democrats eyeing statewide runs in 2026Democrats will need to sort through a pileup of potential candidates who see an opportunity to harness backlash to the Trump administration in next year’s midterms.
U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales draws GOP primary challenge from Cotulla rancher Susan Storey Rubio
Read full article: U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales draws GOP primary challenge from Cotulla rancher Susan Storey RubioStorey Rubio plans to launch her campaign by attacking the Republican incumbent as a “spineless moderate” who has not taken a hard enough line on border security.
State Rep. Dennis Paul announces bid for Texas Senate with backing from Dan Patrick
Read full article: State Rep. Dennis Paul announces bid for Texas Senate with backing from Dan PatrickPaul is the first candidate out of the gate to succeed incumbent Mayes Middleton in an open seat running from Galveston to the outskirts of Houston.
Sen. Mayes Middleton announces bid for Texas attorney general
Read full article: Sen. Mayes Middleton announces bid for Texas attorney generalMiddleton is the second Republican to join what is expected to be a growing field of candidates angling to succeed Attorney General Ken Paxton as the state’s top legal official.
Mayra Flores to challenge Henry Cuellar in the 28th District
Read full article: Mayra Flores to challenge Henry Cuellar in the 28th DistrictHours after the announcement, the Flores team said that the new candidate had been hospitalized and is now recovering. There were no details about her condition.
Ken Paxton’s legal woes are lifting, clearing a path for a likely Senate run
Read full article: Ken Paxton’s legal woes are lifting, clearing a path for a likely Senate runThe federal criminal investigation into corruption allegations was the most serious inquiry Paxton faced. Its end nearly clears his slate of numerous legal battles.