Both men also shared their respective spotlights with Texas politicians seeking offices down next year’s ballot.
Alex Samuels
Alex Samuels was a reporter for The Texas Tribune from 2017 to 2021. She helped with national campaign coverage, wrote stories about the intersection of race and politics in Texas, and covered the hottest political news bubbling out of local communities. She was also one of the primary authors of The Blast, the Tribune’s subscription-only daily newsletter for political insiders. Alex began at the Tribune as a fellow in 2016. She graduated in 2017 from the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Journalism. She originally is from Massachusetts and is the best pingpong player at the Tribune.
Posted in
Economy
Contender in Houston state House special election owed thousands in delinquent taxes
Michele Leal blamed a lien from the Internal Revenue Service on a “communication error.”
Posted in
Texas 2020 Elections
Julián Castro raised $3.5 million in third quarter, but his cash on hand dipped to less than $700,000
The former San Antonio mayor was vastly out-raised by the Democratic frontrunners.
Posted in
Texas 2020 Elections
Beto O’Rourke goes after Warren, spars with Buttigieg as he and Julián Castro fight for political survival
The two Texans vying for the Democratic presidential nomination initially got little attention during Tuesday’s debate before taking on opponents over taxes and gun control.
Posted in
Politics
“This is all confidential”: Key excerpts from secret recording of House Speaker Dennis Bonnen
In the hourlong conversation with Michael Quinn Sullivan, the leader of the Texas House is heard offering press credentials and asking for political support for challengers in the 2020 primaries.
Posted inState Government
Texas abruptly halts permitting process for new medical cannabis dispensaries
The application was expected to draw interest from a number of companies and, once approved, lead to more competitive pricing.
Posted in
Demographics
As its U.S. House members of color depart, Texas GOP grapples with its lack of diversity
Should Republicans actively recruit candidates of color? The party stands divided.
Posted in
Homeless in Texas
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott threatens to intervene in Austin’s “homelessness crisis”
Abbott’s office lamented reports of “violence, used needles, and feces littering the streets of Austin and endangering Texas residents.”
Posted in
Texas 2020 Elections
Julián Castro hit Joe Biden over Barack Obama’s immigration legacy. But in 2013, Castro supported Obama’s policies.
Castro hasn’t always been a liberal darling on border issues: In 2013, he gave a full-throated endorsement of the border and immigration policies advocated by Obama and touted the completion of enforcement measures that included fencing along the U.S-Mexico border.
Posted in
Texas 2020 Elections
Julián Castro goes after Joe Biden during debate, questioning his memory and his commitment to Barack Obama’s legacy
The showdown early in the debate came after Biden criticized the “Medicare for All” health care plan touted by U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders.
