In a wide-ranging conversation with Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith, Straus launched jabs at two fellow Republicans: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and President Donald Trump. He declined to weigh in on who should succeed him as the leader of the lower chamber.
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
Texas Elections 2018
Democrats Nathan Johnson and Beverly Powell defeat state Sens. Don Huffines and Konni Burton in Texas midterm
Burton and Huffines were two of three Republican senators in districts where more voters backed Democrat Hillary Clinton over Republican Donald Trump in 2016 or where the president had a narrow winning margin.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
Uncertainty hangs over Texas as voters head to the polls this Election Day
From the intense battle between Ted Cruz and Beto O’Rourke to hard-fought, well-funded races lower on the ballot, what happens on Election Day could reset — or reaffirm — the trajectory of Texas politics.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
We took young Texans’ questions straight to the candidates. Here’s what they said.
Voting today? We know there’s a lot to keep up with this election season, so we asked young Texans what issues matter most and crafted a survey for candidates to respond to in their own words. See how candidates in statewide and competitive U.S. House races responded to your questions.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
Beto O’Rourke is betting big on Facebook ads: He’s spent more than $6 million in six months.
U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s spending in particular on the site suggests Facebook is playing a bigger role in his race this year than in any other in Texas — and possibly the country.
Posted in
This Is Your Texas
How to fix affordable housing in Texas, by Texans
At roundtable discussions in Dallas, Texans identified how expensive housing affects economic mobility and quality of life. And they came up with ideas on how policymakers can help residents.
Posted in
Politics
State Rep. Dennis Bonnen says he’s running for Texas House speaker
Bonnen said in a statement that “after thoughtful consideration with my family, I have decided to heed the call of many of my colleagues.”
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
Groups with neutral-sounding names launch Facebook ads against Texas Republicans
Names like “The Voter Awareness Project” and “Breaking News Texas” are being used by political groups for negative campaign ads on the platform.
Posted inState Government
State Rep. John Zerwas drops bid for Texas House Speaker
His departure comes amid an effort among roughly 40 GOP House members to draft state Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, into the race.
Posted in
Guides
Here’s how to avoid problems with straight-ticket voting in Texas
Some voters have complained that their votes at the top of the ballot were changed, but the Texas secretary of state’s office said the voting machines are not at fault.
