Analysis: Can Beto O’Rourke overcome Ted Cruz’s million-vote margin?

by Ross Ramsey Oct. 17, 2018

In statewide elections, Texas Republicans regularly beat their Democratic opponents by a million votes or more. In a state where midterm election turnouts have yet to top 5 million votes, that's a formidable hurdle.

Full Story

Latest News

Record number of families crossing U.S. border as Trump threatens new crackdown

by Nick Miroff and Josh Dawsey, The Washington Post Oct. 17, 2018

More than 16,000 family members were apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border in September, the highest number ever and an 80 percent increase from July, according to federal statistics obtained by The Washington Post

Full Story

Austin urges an appeals court to allow its paid sick leave ordinance to take effect

by Kathryn Lundstrom Oct. 17, 2018

Austin's paid sick leave ordinance was supposed to go into effect Oct. 1, but was blocked in August after business groups filed a lawsuit saying the ordinance violated state law.

Full Story

The Texas Tribune thanks its sponsors.

Governor Greg Abbott to speak at Donald Trump's campaign event with Ted Cruz

by Matt Zdun Oct. 17, 2018

The rally will be held in Houston on Monday, the first day of early voting for the Nov. 6 election.

Full Story

Watch Ted Cruz and Beto O'Rourke in their second — and likely final — Senate debate

by Alana Rocha Oct. 17, 2018

Three weeks out from Election Day, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and his Democratic opponent, U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, held their second debate in San Antonio. Here's the full video, courtesy of WFAA-TV.

Full Story

Beto O’Rourke starts airing attack ads against Ted Cruz, shifting tone

by Patrick Svitek Oct. 17, 2018

In one ad, O'Rourke accuses Cruz of "selling paranoia and fear instead of solutions."

Full Story

Donald Trump: Beto O'Rourke "is a flake"

by Bobby Blanchard Oct. 17, 2018

In a series of tweets following Tuesday night's debate between U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso, President Donald Trump said O'Rourke would "blow it all" if elected.

Full Story

Migrants seeking safe harbor in the U.S. must survive shootouts and shakedowns in Mexico

by Jay Root Oct. 17, 2018

Few would dispute that life has gotten tougher for people who are in the United States without legal permission. But in recent years, it’s grown even more dangerous for immigrants in Mexico — mostly Central Americans trying to make their way to the United States.

Full Story

We fact check Ted Cruz and Beto O’Rourke’s second debate

by Alex Samuels and Matt Zdun Oct. 16, 2018

During their second U.S. Senate debate in San Antonio, Beto O’Rourke and Ted Cruz went back and forth on a number of issues. But how much of what each candidate said is true?

Full Story

Beto O’Rourke says Ted Cruz has an attendance problem. Cruz has missed 14 percent of votes; O’Rourke has missed 3 percent.

by Andrew Eversden Oct. 16, 2018

Both candidates missed slightly more votes than their chambers' medians.

Full Story

Beto O’Rourke swings harder at Ted Cruz in second debate

by Patrick Svitek and Matt Zdun Updated: Oct. 16, 2018

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and his Democratic rival, U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke of El Paso, faced off for their second — and maybe final — debate Tuesday night in San Antonio.

Full Story

It’s not just Beto O’Rourke. 8 other Texas Democrats outraised Republicans in GOP-held seats

by Abby Livingston and Ryan Murphy Oct. 16, 2018

In several parts of the state, Democrats are running their most well-financed congressional campaigns in years. Check out our snapshots of fundraising across all of Texas’ U.S. House districts.

Full Story

Did you register to vote in Texas before the deadline but can’t confirm it online? Here’s why.

by Alexa Ura Oct. 16, 2018

Election officials who often receive thousands of voter registration cards just before elections must manually enter each new voter’s information into their database — a time-consuming process that often leads to massive backlogs.

Full Story

Julián Castro says he's "inclined" to run for president in 2020

by Emma Platoff Oct. 16, 2018

A rising star in the party, Castro has long been considered a likely contender in 2020.

Full Story

How Washington unleashed fossil-fuel exports and sold out on climate

by Jie Jenny Zou, Center for Public Integrity Oct. 16, 2018

The Trump administration has its predecessor to thank when it comes to “energy dominance.”

Full Story

Prairie View A&M University's voter registration issues are resolved, but voting barriers remain

by Matt Zdun Oct. 16, 2018

Community leaders said the elimination of additional paperwork before students can vote in November is a temporary solution, but larger voting barriers remain for the students.

Full Story

Donald Trump to campaign for Ted Cruz in Houston on Oct. 22

by Patrick Svitek Oct. 15, 2018

President Donald Trump is headed to Texas on Oct. 22 to hold a rally at NRG Arena in Houston. Trump had promised to visit the state before Election Day to campaign with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in his re-election bid.

Full Story

UT System Board of Regents Chair Sara Martinez Tucker to step down in January

by Shannon Najmabadi Oct. 15, 2018

The reason for the surprise decision wasn't immediately disclosed.

Full Story

The 2018 Texas Hotlist: The most competitive races in Texas’ midterm election

by Ross Ramsey Oct. 15, 2018

We're a week away from the start of early voting in Texas. Beyond the blockbuster match-up between Ted Cruz and Beto O'Rourke, Texans will weigh in on hundreds of other races. Which ones are on my short list?

Full Story

State cancels health contracts with anti-abortion Heidi Group

by Marissa Evans Oct. 12, 2018

Texas Health and Human Services Commission officials said in an email that “it has become clear that the Heidi Group is unable to come into compliance” and that the organization would no longer be part of the state’s Family Planning Program or the Healthy Texas Women program as of Dec. 11.

Full Story

More News

In the News

Analysis: Can Beto O’Rourke overcome Ted Cruz’s million-vote margin?

Latest News

Record number of families crossing U.S. border as Trump threatens new crackdown

Austin urges an appeals court to allow its paid sick leave ordinance to take effect

Governor Greg Abbott to speak at Donald Trump's campaign event with Ted Cruz

Watch Ted Cruz and Beto O'Rourke in their second — and likely final — Senate debate

Beto O’Rourke starts airing attack ads against Ted Cruz, shifting tone

Donald Trump: Beto O'Rourke "is a flake"

Migrants seeking safe harbor in the U.S. must survive shootouts and shakedowns in Mexico

Get The Brief

Did you know that The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit newsroom?

Your donations help power our public service journalism. Become a member today.

We fact check Ted Cruz and Beto O’Rourke’s second debate

Beto O’Rourke says Ted Cruz has an attendance problem. Cruz has missed 14 percent of votes; O’Rourke has missed 3 percent.

Beto O’Rourke swings harder at Ted Cruz in second debate

It’s not just Beto O’Rourke. 8 other Texas Democrats outraised Republicans in GOP-held seats

Did you register to vote in Texas before the deadline but can’t confirm it online? Here’s why.

Julián Castro says he's "inclined" to run for president in 2020

A premium daily newsletter powered by the nation's largest statehouse bureau.

How Washington unleashed fossil-fuel exports and sold out on climate

Prairie View A&M University's voter registration issues are resolved, but voting barriers remain

Donald Trump to campaign for Ted Cruz in Houston on Oct. 22

UT System Board of Regents Chair Sara Martinez Tucker to step down in January

The 2018 Texas Hotlist: The most competitive races in Texas’ midterm election

State cancels health contracts with anti-abortion Heidi Group