The former Democrat’s reputation as an unflappable moderate stands in sharp contrast to the MAGA firebrands at the top of this year’s GOP ticket.
Alejandro Serrano
Alejandro Serrano writes about Texas politics and government, with a focus on immigration and education issues. Since joining the Tribune, he has helped investigate the 2022 Uvalde school shooting, lived for half a year in Eagle Pass during a temporary assignment covering immigration and documented a variety of major occurrences in the state from Houston, where he used to live. He previously covered education for the Houston Chronicle and breaking news for the San Francisco Chronicle. The Long Island, New York, native received his bachelor's degree in journalism from Northeastern University. He is based in Austin and speaks fluent Spanish.
To report a tip, contact Alejandro on Signal at @aserrano.26
Posted in
State Government
Texas Comptroller Don Huffines issues series of “executive orders,” raising questions about his office’s authority
The authority to issue executive orders traditionally belongs to the chief executive, like the governor or a county judge.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Elon Musk is the donor behind Senate Republicans’ massive rescue mission for Ken Paxton
The world’s wealthiest man transformed Texas’ U.S. Senate race with a massive cash infusion to the Senate GOP’s main outside group, which has taken over the airwaves with ads boosting Paxton.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Outspent and unknown, Democrat Vikki Goodwin gives Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick his toughest race yet
The race for Texas’ powerful second-in-command role pits a third-term GOP kingmaker against a state lawmaker who is riding the political tailwind felt by Democrats up and down the ballot.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
James Talarico returns to campaign trail at ACL festival after illness spurred GOP calls for “proof of life”
Republican Ken Paxton made hay over the Democrat’s nine-day spell between public appearances, while right-wing commentators ran with unverified theories and dismissed that Talarico’s recovery could have been hindered by his Type I diabetes.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Republicans are spending big to boost Ken Paxton on the airwaves, but not in Spanish
Nearly 7 in 10 Latino voters said in a recent statewide survey that when they see a political candidate on Spanish-language media, it “makes me feel they want to earn my vote.”
Posted in
State Government
Suspect tied to credible threat of Texas Capitol attack arrested
The Department of Public Safety arrested a 40-year-old Converse resident after receiving credible information about a “violent attack” on the state Capitol, the agency said.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Texas comptroller 2026: Who is running and what to know
Republican Don Huffines and Democrat Sarah Eckhardt are among the candidates vying to become the state’s chief financial officer. Here’s a look at where the field stands.
Posted in
The 2026 Texas Tribune Festival
Republicans expect to retain control of Texas House, lawmaker says
Rep. Mitch Little, R-Lewisville, made the remark during a conversation at the Texas Tribune Festival. Another lawmaker urged Paxton to debate Talarico in their race for U.S. Senate.
Posted in
Immigration
A surge of ICE arrests and the shooting of a Venezuelan man strike fear into Austin neighborhoods
People who work near the site where ICE shot Wilber Rafael Garces Perez say the agency’s presence in the area has been constant amid President Trump’s mass deportation push.
