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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.
Political campaigns can see a lot in early voting patterns, giving them a better idea than the rest of us what's going on. But it's the things they don't know that make them nervous. Full Story
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Early voting begins in Texas today. Beyond the blockbuster match-up between Ted Cruz and Beto O'Rourke, Texans will weigh in on hundreds of other races. Which ones are on Ross Ramsey’s short list — and which ones have moved up or down since last week? Full Story
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Whether the 2018 election attracts more of the state's voters or not, more than half of the people who do vote will vote early — before Election Day dawns. Full Story
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In statewide elections, Texas Republicans regularly beat their Democratic opponents by a million votes or more. In a state where midterm election turnouts have yet to top 5 million votes, that's a formidable hurdle. Full Story
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A fresh update of a single budget chart shows who's paying for public education in Texas: More than half of the money comes from local property taxpayers, just over a third comes from the state, and the federal government spends about a dime of every dollar schools cost. Full Story
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The head of the little-known Texas Legislative Budget Board retired this week, adding a coda to years of differences between the agency's two masters — the Texas House and the Texas Senate. Full Story
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With general election voting less than three weeks away, outside events have more influence. That includes big endorsements from current and past presidents — and it includes October surprises like the one unfolding in the U.S. Senate. Full Story
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The timing of sexual misconduct allegations against Texas state Sen. Charles Schwertner could affect more than his election chances in November; it could affect the chances of other Republican candidates whose districts overlap his. Full Story
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Hopeful Democrats are talking about whether Texas or the rest of the country is in for a blue wave in this year's elections. They should be looking for purple splotches in what has been a very red state for more than two decades. Full Story
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It's not unusual for former opponents to turn around and endorse their party's candidates, or to go quiet in general elections — to say nothing at all. But it's unusual to endorse the other party's general election candidates. And yet, that's happening in several Texas races this year. Full Story
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