Texas Majority PAC and the Texas Democratic Party recruited 104 candidates to fill uncontested races. Gov. Greg Abbott’s strategist said it amounts to a gimmick “if they don’t back it up with serious resources.”
Kayla Guo
Kayla Guo covers state politics and government. Before joining the Tribune, she covered Congress for The New York Times as a reporting fellow based in Washington, D.C. Kayla has also covered transportation policy for Politico and local news for The Raleigh News & Observer, and she was a part-time digital producer for The Boston Globe. She graduated from Brown University, where she studied public policy and served as editor-in-chief and president of the independent student newspaper. She was born and raised on Long Island, New York. She is based in Austin. Read Articles by Kayla Guo
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2026 Texas Elections
Jasmine Crockett leads James Talarico by 8 points in Senate Democratic primary, new poll finds
Crockett had higher name recognition and an overwhelming edge among Black voters, while Talarico kept her margin to single digits through greater support among white and Latino voters.
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State Government
Glenn Hamer resigns as CEO of Texas Association of Business weeks after sexual assault allegations
An unidentified woman sued Hamer two weeks ago, accusing him of sexually assaulting and harassing her before retaliating against her using his position at the powerful business group.
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State Government
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick proposes giving Texas newborns $1,000 each
Patrick’s proposal would be in addition to a federal program that is set to give American babies $1,000 each to invest in the stock market.
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2026 Texas Elections
Texas Rep. Gary VanDeaver, a private school voucher holdout, won’t seek reelection
VanDeaver, who represents northeast Texas, was one of two House Republicans to oppose a school voucher program this year after he narrowly beat a pro-voucher primary challenger in 2024.
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State Government
Head of Texas’ largest business organization accused of sexual assault in lawsuit
An unidentified woman on Monday sued Glenn Hamer, Texas Association of Business president and CEO, alleging he sexually harassed and assaulted her, then retaliated when she rejected his advances.
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2026 Texas Elections
Abbott sets Jan. 31 special election runoff for North Texas Senate seat
Democrat Taylor Rehmet and Republican Leigh Wambsganss will face off to succeed Kelly Hancock after winning the most votes in the Nov. 4 election.
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The 2025 Texas Tribune Festival
U.S. Senate hopeful Colin Allred criticizes rival James Talarico for accepting billionaire Adelson’s donations
Allred’s comments at The Texas Tribune Festival marked the first time either leading Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate publicly criticized the other.
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2026 Texas Elections
Gov. Greg Abbott launches reelection campaign for fourth term
Abbott framed his campaign as a means to keep Texas as a conservative bastion, touting efforts to lower property taxes, bolster education and strengthen public safety.
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State Government
Longtime GOP state Rep. John Smithee of Amarillo will not seek reelection
Smithee has represented the Panhandle in the Texas House for 40 years. He ran for speaker last year and most recently served as chair of the criminal jurisprudence committee.