Analysis: In Texas, the end of a grinding election, and another already on the horizon
As a grueling election cycle comes to a close, there is no rest for the weary: Candidates are already talking about what's on the Texas ballot in 2022. Full Story
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Ross Ramsey co-founded The Texas Tribune in 2009 and served as its executive editor until his retirement in 2022. He wrote regular columns on politics, government and public policy. Before joining the Tribune, he was editor and co-owner of Texas Weekly. He did a 28-month stint in government with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Before that, he reported for the Houston Chronicle, the Dallas Times Herald, as a Dallas-based freelancer for regional and national magazines and newspapers, and for radio stations in Denton and Dallas.
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![George P. Bush gives a eulogy during the funeral for former President George H.W. Bush at St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston on Dec. 6, 2018.]()
Credit: David J. Phillip/Pool via REUTERS -
Analysis: A Texas election with a decade of politics at stake
A nine-seat change in the Texas House could affect the balance of power in the Texas Capitol, but also in Congress. Texas lawmakers will draw political maps next year that could remain in place until the 2030 census. Full Story
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![The floor of the house on April 11, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: The 2020 election’s October surprise has been with us for months
The pandemic persists as the top issue in the election, overpowering the kind of late-breaking news and events that can turn people’s heads just before they vote. Full Story
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![Medical personnel wear personal protective equipment as they register residents waiting in line at a COVID-19 testing site at Nations Tobin Recreation Center in El Paso on Oct. 21, 2020.]()
Credit: Joel Angel Juarez for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Democrats or Republicans could win the Texas House this year. But what if they tie?
The next speaker of the Texas House will come from the majority party, whether that’s the Republicans or the Democrats after the election. But there’s an outside chance the parties will have the same number of members. Full Story
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![The Texas House of Representatives chamber on Nov. 20, 2018.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Money counts in Texas elections, but timing matters, too
MJ Hegar's challenge of U.S. Sen. John Cornyn has attracted millions of dollars in financial support, most of it late in the race. She's now in better financial shape than the incumbent, but time is running short. Full Story
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![Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and challenger MJ Hegar face off in a Nexstar televised debate on Oct. 9, 2020, at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin. Hegar is slightly behind the long-time senator in the latest polls late in the campaign.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/Courtesy of Nexstar Media Group -
Analysis: The second election can be harder than the first one
Texas Democrats are trying to add nine seats to their total in the Texas House, enough to regain a majority they lost almost two decades ago. But Republicans aren't idle, and they're targeting seats Democrats barely won last time. Full Story
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![A voting sign at the South Austin Recreation Center polling site on Oct. 14, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: It's harder to vote in Texas than in any other state
Voting laws in Texas are the most restrictive in the country. And voter turnout here is among the lowest, too. Maybe those facts are related. Full Story
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![A voter casts their ballot at a polling site at the Austin Oaks Church on Oct. 14, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Running government like a business — except for elections
You've heard that refrain — the one about running the government like a business — from dozens of candidates over the years. In the case of voting, businesses might be a good place for government officials to pick up some pointers. Full Story
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![Herb Kelly and his wife Linda Simien Kelly, who is an artist in Houston, wait in line at the Metropolitan Multi-Services Center on W. Gray Street during the first day of early voting in Houston on Oct. 13, 2020.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast, special edition: Our pollsters analyze the latest UT/TT Poll on the election and pandemic
In this edition of the TribCast, Ross talks to pollsters Joshua Blank, James Henson and Daron Shaw about the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll, focused on the election and the pandemic. Full Story
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![People wait in line to vote at Audelia Road Branch Library on the first day of early voting in Dallas, Texas on Oct. 13, 2020.]()
Credit: Montinique Monroe for The Texas Tribune -
Sharp partisan and racial differences mark Texan voters’ view of police, UT/TT Poll finds
With some political campaigns embracing law enforcement in Texas, the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll found two things to be true: Most voters don't want to decrease funding for police, and almost all voters feel safe where they live. Full Story
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![State police in riot gear block protesters from gathering in the street in downtown Austin on Aug. 1, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune