Despite the excitement he’s generated among Democrats, U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s bid to unseat U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is still widely viewed as a long shot. Yet the El Paso congressman’s campaign could still help rebuild his party and make a difference in races lower on the ballot.
Abby Livingston
Abby Livingston joined The Texas Tribune in 2014 as the publication's first Washington bureau chief, and departed August 2022. In this role, she covered members in the Texas congressional delegation and campaigns back in the home state. A seventh-generation Texan, Abby grew up in Fort Worth and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to the Tribune, Abby worked for NBC, CNN, National Journal and Roll Call. At the Tribune, she won the 2017 National Press Club Award for Washington regional reporting and the Society of Professional Journalists' 2018 Sigma Delta Chi Award for Washington correspondence. Abby is a contributing writer to the Almanac of American Politics and frequently appears on MSNBC, CNN and Sirius XM radio. She also had a role on an episode of "The Bold and The Beautiful." In keeping with the Trib’s great history of hiring softball stars, Abby is a three-time MVP (the most in game history) for The Bad News Babes, the women’s press softball team that takes on female members of Congress in the annual Congressional Women’s Softball breast cancer charity game.
Posted in
Politics
No matter the outcome of the midterms, Texas delegation in Congress poised to lose clout
Thanks to retirements, term limits and political turmoil, the Texas delegation in Congress is bracing for a significant loss in seniority next year. If Democrats take back the House, the loss in clout will be even more dramatic.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
With candidates in every U.S. House race, Texas Democrats see fundraising boom
The growth in fundraising reflects candidates in many traditionally Republican areas running professional campaigns that party faithful hope will have a long-term impact.
Posted in
Congress
Some Texas Republicans decried Trump after his summit with Putin. Most have been silent.
President Donald Trump’s performance alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday is drawing sharp reactions from some Texans in Congress and muted ones from others.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
7 Texas Republicans in Congress just got outraised by their Democratic rivals
Candidates for Congress recently filed their second-quarter fundraising reports. In some districts, Democratic candidates raised more than double what the Republican incumbents reported.
Posted in
Politics
In volatile exchange, Louie Gohmert brings up FBI agent’s affair in U.S. House hearing
The East Texas Republican earned howls from Democrats when he accused a controversial FBI agent of lying under oath and brought up a well-documented extramarital affair in an open hearing.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
MJ Hegar raised $750,000 off her viral ad, one of a few Texas Democrats boasting big numbers
Early fundraising sums show several Texas Democrats are postured to launch formidable campaigns in the fall.
Posted inState Government
U.S. Senate passes farm bill
The bill passed 86-11 and had the support of both Texas’ U.S. senators, John Cornyn and Ted Cruz.
Posted in
Politics
Texas’ U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn likely to play big roles in picking Justice Anthony Kennedy’s replacement
The state’s two U.S. senators are likely to play pivotal roles in what is expected to be a politically explosive confirmation process.
Posted in
Politics
U.S. House rejects immigration bill that included pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, border wall funding
As expected, Republicans were unable to reconcile differences within their party to move a major immigration bill through the U.S. House chamber Wednesday.
