In 2012, the New York Times interviewed Brad Bailey at the Republican National Convention about his efforts to get the party “stop the hatred language and fix the problem.”
Renzo Downey
Renzo Downey is the lead writer of The Blast, The Texas Tribune’s premium politics newsletter. Prior to joining the Tribune in February 2023, he worked as a state government and politics reporter and a newsletter editor for Florida Politics. He was previously an intern on the state desk at the Austin American-Statesman. A San Francisco Bay Area native, Renzo received his bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from Northwestern University.
Posted in
State Government
Texas is cutting undocumented immigrants off from school, work and driving
The sweeping rule changes, all enacted outside the typical legislative process, have upended life for noncitizens, including those who are here legally.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Big money moved the needle and down-ballot chaos reigned in Texas’ action-packed primaries
Two blockbuster Senate primaries dominated attention, chaos reigned in down-ballot races and an intense runoff season looms.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Incumbents prevail in Texas legislative races amid proxy battles over casinos, tort reform
The most expensive state House primaries this cycle were proxy wars over issues including casinos, tort reform and a lingering battle between establishment Republicans and more hardline conservatives.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Polls close today in the Texas primaries. Here are five things to watch.
This Tuesday, Tribune reporters are watching two blockbuster Senate primaries, an open attorney general seat, and more high-stakes, competitive races up and down the Texas ballot.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Steelworkers union leader emerges as sleeper in Texas’ Democratic lieutenant governor primary
Facing state Rep. Vikki Goodwin, Marcos Vélez has landed the Texas AFL-CIO’s endorsement and support from a donor trail that leads back to the state party’s top campaign partner.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
After vicious 2024 cycle, Texas House GOP primaries see quieter landscape defined by tort battle
With Texas’ hardline conservative megadonors largely staying on the sidelines, a handful of House primaries have become battlegrounds for the state’s civil justice debate.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Texas lieutenant governor primary: Who is running and what to know
The lieutenant governor’s office is often described as the most powerful in Texas government. Here’s a look at who’s running in the 2026 Democratic and Republican primaries and where they stand.
Posted in
State Government
Texas House Democrats raised record-breaking $2.2 million in 2025
The majority of the Democratic caucus’ haul came when the party broke quorum over the summer to delay the GOP-controlled Legislature from redrawing the state’s congressional map.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Statewide battles, Latino voters and down-ballot contests: the biggest Texas political stories to watch in 2026
The Texas Tribune’s politics team has compiled five of the top stories we’re watching this year, when voters will have their first chance to make their opinions known on the events of 2025.