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Thursday, March 18, 2010

Abby Rapoport Reporter

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Abby Rapoport served as a writing fellow at the Economic Policy Institute, in Washington, D.C. before coming to Austin. She covered the 2009 legislative session for TEXAS MONTHLY under the tutelage of Paul Burka, the magazine's senior executive. Previously, she blogged for Glamour Magazine and interned at Lapham’s Quarterly. A Williamsburg, Virginia native, she has a degree in history from Grinnell College.

arapoport@texastribune.org
512-716-8617

Recent Contributions

The SBOE vs. Itself

by Abby Rapoport  |  3/15/2010  |  3

When no one was paying attention to the State Board of Education, the theory goes, the reelection of incumbents was virtually assured, just as it is in any down-ballot races. Now that its controversial doings are the stuff of national headlines, change is in the air. Or is it?

The SBOE, Revised

by Abby Rapoport  |  3/3/2010  |  5

The State Board of Education likely won't be quite as much of a Christian Conservative flash point any more. What it will be, however, is anybody’s guess.

Congratulations!

by Abby Rapoport and Matt Stiles  |  3/2/2010

Even though most of the focus for the last couple of months has been on the outcome of contested primaries, nearly half of the next Legislature has already been chosen.

In Closing: The Big Five

by Brandi Grissom, Reeve Hamilton, Emily Ramshaw, Abby Rapoport and Matt Stiles  |  3/1/2010

Whether or not the outcome of tomorrow's gubernatorial primary is conclusive — whether or not we have a runoff six weeks hence — we can say this with certainty: One of the five main candidates on the ballot will be the next governor of Texas. And this: 40 hours from now, we'll know much more about the state's coming political landscape than we do today. While we bide our time and wait for results, we present these final snapshots of the campaigns as they wound down.

In Closing: Debra Medina

by Abby Rapoport  |  3/1/2010  |  3

“We’ll do a runoff if we have to," she said Saturday. "I’d like to secure it outright." She paused and smiled. "It will be the upset of the century if that happens."

Road Conditions

by Abby Rapoport  |  2/25/2010

Sensible people in the Metroplex may have given up long ago on Southwest Parkway and State Highway 161, two huge projects first proposed back in the 1960s. Now they're toll roads — one incomplete, one not yet started — and the money to build them may finally be available. There is, of course, a catch.

Primary Color: HD-7

by Abby Rapoport  |  2/22/2010  |  1

Is this the year that independent-minded state Rep. Tommy Merritt, R-Longview, finally gets his comeuppance from conservatives?

Primary Color: SBOE District 5

by Abby Rapoport  |  2/16/2010  |  1

Forget about Don McLeroy vs. Thomas Ratliff. The most interesting fight for a State Board of Education seat may be in San Antonio, where well-funded lawyer-lobbyist Tim Tuggey is challenging incumbent Ken Mercer — and the big question being asked is, 'How conservative is conservative enough?'

Primary Color: Five to Watch

by Brandi Grissom, Elise Hu, Ross Ramsey, Abby Rapoport and Morgan Smith  |  2/16/2010

In honor of today's kickoff of early voting — a two-week period in which political junkies, committed activists and other go-to-the-head-of-the-class types will line up to cast ballots for their favorite candidates, unable to contain their enthusiasm or anger until March 2 — we present five different installments in our Primary Color series. Brandi Grissom reports on the GOP face-off to take on state Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, in House District 78. Elise Hu tackles the four-way scrum between Republicans in HD-20 hoping to succeed retiring state Rep. Dan Gattis, R-Georgetown. Ross Ramsey asks why a perenially safe incumbent, state Rep. Vicki Truitt, R-Keller, has a fight on her hands this year in HD-98. Abby Rapoport looks at the battle for conservative cred in the race for the District 5 seat on the State Board of Education. And Morgan Smith picks apart the five-way race for the GOP nomination in Congressional District 23 — and the chance to topple U.S. Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, D-San Antonio.

A Day with Debra Medina

by Abby Rapoport  |  2/12/2010  |  10

I had wanted to shadow the phenom gubernatorial candidate on the trail since before the first GOP debate, and her handlers told me I could do it on February 11. Little did I know, little did they know, that Glenn Beck's questions about 9/11 "truthers" would turn her campaign upside-down right before my eyes.

This Might Hurt: A Dose of Politics

by Abby Rapoport  |  2/10/2010  |  1

Immunization advocates want to expand our vaccination database, but the well-educated, middle-class parents who oppose them are organized and driven — and could force lawmakers to take sides in the tussle between personal freedom and public health.

This Might Hurt

by Abby Rapoport  |  2/9/2010

Advocates for vaccination records say a complete registry of shots would help the state navigate major health crises. Opponents say it would jeopardize patient privacy. Lawmakers like the potential cost savings, but they still aren’t sure where they stand.

Debra Medina Clip 5

by Abby Rapoport  |  2/5/2010

Before an adoring crowd — the "Texas 9.12 Revolution" — Debra Medina reflects on the toughest day in her fledgling gubernatorial bid.

Debra Medina Clip 4

by Abby Rapoport  |  2/5/2010

Debra Medina has an emotional phone conversation with her family, then puts her game face on to address reporters.

Debra Medina Clip 3

by Abby Rapoport  |  2/5/2010

An obviously peeved Debra Medina responds to interview requests from numerous radio hosts.