"You may all go to hell, I am going to Texas.” Nine Texas lawmakers bid goodbye to Congress
With nearly two centuries of Texas experience departing Congress this week, the lawmakers reflect on their tenures on Capitol Hill. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Ted Poe fondly recalls the time he was allowed to drive his Jeep directly onto the White House driveway while George W. Bush, a fellow Texan, was president. Photo courtesy of Congressman Ted Poe.]()
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21st District race to test boundaries of Democrats' expanded congressional battlefield in Texas
The race for Texas' 21st Congressional District pits Democrat Joseph Kopser against Republican Chip Roy for the seat being vacated by retiring U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio. Full Story
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![Chip Roy (left) and Joseph Kopser are the Republican and Democratic nominees for U.S. Congressional District 21, currently held by outgoing U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio.]()
Credit: Robin Jerstad: Chip Roy/Marjorie Kamys Cotera: Copser -
Watch Chip Roy, Joseph Kopser virtually debate in their bids for Lamar Smith's seat in Congress
In Texas' 21st Congressional District, where U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith is retiring, Republican Chip Roy and Democrat Joseph Kopser virtually debate in the latest episode of our "Split Decision" video series. Full Story
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Credit: Justin Dehn / The Texas Tribune -
"The door to the future": How Eddie Bernice Johnson could make history if Democrats win back the House
Johnson, a Dallas Democrat, has served in the U.S. House for 26 years. If her party wins control of the chamber, she's well positioned to become the first African-American representative from Texas to lead a standing committee in Congress. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Dallas, in her Washington, D.C. office on July 18, 2018.]()
Credit: Leigh Vogel for The Texas Tribune -
As Trump backlash continues, STEM professionals in Texas run for office
Across the country, hundreds of candidates with academic or professional experience in science, technology, engineering and mathematics have left their businesses and laboratories to compete in state legislative contests, congressional elections and even governor’s races. Full Story
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![Top row, right to left: Michelle Beckley, Joseph Kopser and Carla Morton. Bottom row: Allison Sawyer and Rick Kennedy.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera: Joseph Kopser/Others provided courtesy campaigns -
In Central Texas congressional runoffs, candidates with traditional advantages face scrappy underdogs
Two spirited runoffs are underway for the major-party nominations to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio. Joseph Kopser and Mary Wilson are vying for the Democratic nod, while the two Republicans squaring off are Matt McCall and Chip Roy. Full Story
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![Clockwise from top left: Matt McCall, Mary Wilson, Joseph Kopser and Chip Roy, candidates in the Congressional District 21 runoff.]()
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TX-21 primary showcases intra-party conundrum for Texas Democrats in Trump era
The Democratic primary for Texas' 21st Congressional District has put on display a growing debate over whether the party should court disaffected Republicans this year, focus on getting their revved-up base to the polls or do some of both. Full Story
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![Clockwise from top left: Derrick Crowe, Joseph Kopser, Elliott McFadden and Mary Wilson, the four Democrats vying for Congressional District 21, currently held by outgoing U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio.]()
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In race to replace U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, 18 Republicans look to stand out
The Republican primary to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, has drawn 18 candidates — a staggering number that has created an early urgency to stand out in the crowded field. Full Story
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![Fifteen of the 18 Congressional District 21 GOP primary candidates wait to begin the San Antonio Republican Women's candidate forum on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018.]()
Credit: Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribune -
Chip Roy, former chief of staff to Sen. Ted Cruz, is running for Congress
Chip Roy — a former staffer to multiple top Texas Republicans — is looking to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio. Full Story
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![Chip Roy participating in a Texas Tribune event about the potential impact on Texas of the end of the Affordable Care Act on April 24, 2017.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: A political earthquake hits the Texas congressional delegation
A half-dozen members of the Texas congressional delegation have already given up their seats — and the elections haven't even started yet. This cycle could see more changes than a redistricting year, when disruption is the norm. Full Story
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![The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on June 7, 2017.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith retiring from Congress
U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, is retiring from Congress, two sources close to the congressman told The Texas Tribune on Thursday. Full Story
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![Congressman Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio.]()
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Fracking, not hacking, has Texas GOP congressmen mad at Russia
Congressmen Lamar Smith and Randy Weber wrote a letter to the U.S. Department of Treasury alleging that American environmental groups are being funded by Russia. Critics say the Texas Republicans are trying to divert attention from President Trump's Russia problems. Full Story
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![U.S. Reps. Randy Weber, R-Friendswood, left, and Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio.]()
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Four Texas Republicans in Congress were outraised by Democratic challengers
Four Texans in Congress – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, and U.S. Reps. John Culberson of Houston, Ted Poe of Humble and Lamar Smith of San Antonio – were outraised by a Democratic challenger in the last quarter. Full Story
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![Clockwise from top left: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and U.S. Reps. John Culberson, R-Houston, Ted Poe, R-Humble and Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio.]()
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Trump team's alleged Russia ties get muted response from Texas Republicans
Texas Democrats on Capitol Hill are calling for more Congressional oversight, amid news reports of Trump allies communicating with Russian officials. Full Story
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![Donald Trump rallies a crowd of veterans at Drake University on Jan. 28, 2016, while other Republican presidential candidates hold a final Des Moines debate prior to the Iowa caucuses.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Arrington, a freshman in Congress, bucks trend by moving family to D.C.
Lubbock Republican Jodey Arrington, who was sworn in this week as one of the new members of the U.S. House, is moving his family to Washington. It is an unusual choice, both in the Texas delegation and in the rest of Congress. Full Story
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![(L.-R.) U.S. Reps. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, John Ratcliff, R-Heath and Jodey Arrington, R-Lubbock.]()
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The 10 days that defined 2016 for the Texas congressional delegation
From U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz's Republican National Convention speech to U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela's letter to Trump, 10 days in 2016 stand out for how they disrupted, empowered or otherwise messed with members of the Texas delegation. Full Story
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The key Texans in Congress to watch in the Trump Era
Donald Trump's presidency alongside a Republican-controlled Congress could soon translate to staggering power for seven Texas Republicans. Full Story
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![L.-R., top row: U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, U.S. Reps. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, Kevin Brady R-The Woodlands. L.-R., bottom row: U.S. Reps. Jeb Hensarling, R-Dallas, Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio and Michael McCaul, R-Austin.]()
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The Texas woman who is blowing up the GOP
Mindy Finn is a native Texan who is not just running for vice president — she's putting herself on the frontline of an expected Republican civil war. Full Story
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![Mindy Finn, independent candidate for vice president, is from Kingwood.]()
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Amid Trump fallout, congressional chairs rally to save their gavels
Texas Republicans would lose seven committee chairmanships if their party loses control of the U.S. House. Full Story
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![U.S. Republican Reps. from the Texas delegation (l-r) Top row: Michael McCaul, Mike Conaway, Kevin Brady; Center: Mac Thornberry; Bottom row: Lamar Smith, Pete Sessions and Jeb Hensarling.]()
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A Decline in Texas Power Looms in Washington
Lone Star clout and the benefits it generates back home look to be on the decline in the coming years. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman