Muslim delegates and attendees hoping to participate in the state Republican convention were shunned and rejected by members as they espoused themes of party unity ahead of the November election.
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.
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Politics
At GOP convention, Abbott vows to “demolish” Democrats, calls for crackdown on H-1B visas and Sharia law
The governor sought to tie the minority party, and its U.S. Senate nominee, James Talarico, to “Bernie Sanders socialism” in a fresh look at his message for the fall midterms.
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Politics
Texas GOP Chair Abraham George ousted by second-in-command D’rinda Randall
Randall’s supporters were animated by a mix of factors, including the perception that George was too friendly to establishment Republicans.
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Politics
Texas Republicans open state convention projecting unity after years of infighting
Gov. Greg Abbott is a top sponsor and Speaker Dustin Burrows will be the first sitting speaker to address the gathering, as Republicans close ranks ahead of a tough midterm.
Posted in
Environment
Screwworms are closer than ever to Texas, but not 1 mile away as lawmaker claims
On Monday, state Rep. Don McLaughlin said the parasitic fly that threatens the state’s cattle industry was 1 mile away. U.S. officials said that was not yet true.
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2026 Texas Elections
Incumbent Rep. Hubert Vo defeated in Democratic runoff
Alief school board President Darlene Breaux defeated Vo, who spent more than two decades in the Texas House. Dallas state Rep. Venton Jones held off Amanda Richardson.
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2026 Texas Elections
Texas lieutenant governor Democratic runoff: Who is running and what to know
The lieutenant governor’s office is one of the most powerful in Texas government, and the 2026 race features a Democratic runoff between Vikki Goodwin and Marcos Velez.
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Politics
This Texas House GOP nominee once urged Republicans to soften their immigration rhetoric. He’s changed his tune.
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.”
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
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