Latest Contributions

• The billionaire Wilks family bankrolls one of its own in run for Texas house

  by Cassandra Pollock Feb. 17, 2020

  The family has pumped millions from its fracking fortune into Texas politics, backing hardline conservative candidates and causes. Now one member of the clan is vying for the House District 60 seat being vacated by Rep. Mike Lang. Full Story 

  

   Via social media

• Chris Bell has been running for office for decades. Is he the Democrat to take on John Cornyn?

  by Cassandra Pollock Feb. 12, 2020

  Bell is the only candidate running in the U.S. Senate Democratic primary who has experience in Washington, D.C. But he has more experience running campaigns than winning them. Full Story 

  

   Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune

• Stepping into GOP primaries, Dennis Bonnen donates to seven Texas House incumbents

  by Cassandra Pollock Jan. 31, 2020

  The contributions mark the first notable movement from Bonnen's PAC since he announced in October he wasn't seeking reelection. Full Story 

  

   Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune

• Conservative activists helped elect Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Now some say there’s a disconnect.

  by Cassandra Pollock Jan. 29, 2020

  A group of hardline grassroots activists has called on Patrick to be more outspoken on party priorities and worries that lines of communication appear to no longer be there. Full Story 

  

   Cara Campbell for The Texas Tribune

• Gov. Greg Abbott warns Texas agencies seeing 10,000 attempted cyber attacks per minute from Iran

  by Cassandra Pollock Jan. 7, 2020

  State agencies are seeing an increase in cyber security threats as Iranian officials vow revenge against the U.S. for killing a top general. Full Story 

  

   Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune

• Texas House committee adopts report saying Dennis Bonnen "likely violated" law in meeting with hardline activist, closes investigation

  by Cassandra Pollock Updated: Dec. 20, 2019

  The committee took no further action on the report, which stated that the information produced "militates against criminal prosecution" on retiring House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and state Rep. Dustin Burrows. Full Story 

  

   Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune

• Democrats could gain control of the Texas House for the first time since 2001. Here are the seats in play in 2020.

  by Cassandra Pollock and Patrick Svitek Dec. 13, 2019

  Republicans and Democrats are ready for the 2020 battle over the Texas House, with roughly 30 of the 150 seats seen as competitive for both parties. Full Story 

  

   Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune

• State Rep. Bill Zedler decides against reelection bid

  by Patrick Svitek and Cassandra Pollock Dec. 10, 2019

  The Arlington Republican made the decision after filing to run for another term and after the filing deadline had passed. Full Story 

  

   Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune

• Rick Miller’s swift demise shines light on the shifting politics of Fort Bend County and the Texas House

  by Alex Samuels and Cassandra Pollock Dec. 4, 2019

  The drama that unfolded served as the latest reminder that seats in one of the country’s most ethnically diverse counties are some of the most competitive in the state heading into the 2020 election cycle. Full Story 

  

   Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

• State Rep. Poncho Nevárez turns himself in to authorities after dropping envelope with cocaine

  by Cassandra Pollock and Patrick Svitek Updated: Nov. 15, 2019

  The Eagle Pass Democrat was caught on video surveillance dropping an envelope of cocaine on the ground at the Austin airport. Full Story 

  

   Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

• Arrest warrant issued for state Rep. Poncho Nevárez after he was caught on tape dropping envelope with cocaine

  by Cassandra Pollock and Patrick Svitek Updated: Nov. 14, 2019

  The document says that the envelope had Nevárez's official House seal and held “four small clear baggies” containing a substance found to include cocaine. Full Story 

  

   Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune

• Texas cleared homeless camps Wednesday. On Thursday, residents were already back.

  by Davis Rich and Cassandra Pollock Updated: Nov. 7, 2019

  Gov. Greg Abbott announced a five-acre plot of land for homeless camping in Austin after he took action to clear people living under state overpasses. Full Story 

  

   Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune

• Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen won't face criminal prosecution, Brazoria County DA says

  by Cassandra Pollock Updated: Oct. 24, 2019

  District Attorney Jeri Yenne called Bonnen's behavior "offensive, lacking in integrity" and "demeaning to other human beings." Full Story 

  

   Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune

• After a steady rise, Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen's fall came fast

  by Cassandra Pollock Oct. 22, 2019

  The leader of the Capitol's lower chamber kept fighting until the end, to the frustration of some of his members. Full Story 

  

   Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune

• Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen won't seek reelection after recording scandal

  by Cassandra Pollock Updated: Oct. 22, 2019

  By Tuesday morning, more than 30 House Republicans had either called for the speaker's resignation or had stated they no longer supported him. Full Story 

  

   Emree Weaver / The Texas Tribune

• Top Texas House Republicans say they can no longer support Speaker Dennis Bonnen

  by Cassandra Pollock and Patrick Svitek Updated: Oct. 21, 2019

  In the biggest blow yet to the House leader's political future, five fellow Republicans said they can't back him moving forward. Their statement comes days after the House GOP caucus condemned Bonnen. Full Story 

  

   Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune

• Bonnen regrets comments about Texas cities and counties — yet also says urban governments have "run amok"

  by Cassandra Pollock Oct. 21, 2019

  Local leaders felt targeted by state lawmakers even before the release of a secret recording that has imperiled the Texas House speaker's future. Bonnen says he was trying to convey a larger point about those officials and how they treat taxpayers. Full Story 

  

   Getty Images/iStockphoto

• At GOP caucus meeting, House Speaker Dennis Bonnen offered resolution calling for his own resignation

  by Cassandra Pollock Updated: Oct. 18, 2019

  The motion was later withdrawn, and after hours of debate, the caucus issued a statement condemning the actions of Bonnen and a top lieutenant. Full Story 

  

   Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune

• Could Texas Democrats influence Dennis Bonnen's fate? The minority party is mulling what to do next.

  by Cassandra Pollock and Julián Aguilar Oct. 18, 2019

  Of the 17 House members who have called for Bonnen to step down, only four are Democrats. Full Story 

  

   Emree Weaver / The Texas Tribune

• Calls for Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen's resignation are limited — but growing — as his party plans to meet this week

  by Cassandra Pollock Updated: Oct. 16, 2019

  A handful of Republicans and Democrats have said the GOP leader of the lower chamber should step aside. And so far, no one from Bonnen's own party has publicly come to his defense. Full Story 

  

   Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune