Padilla Stout is the first Democrat to hold the seat in over a decade, besting right-wing Youtuber Brandon Herrera.
Ayden Runnels
Ayden Runnels is the afternoon/evening reporter. Previously, they were a breaking news reporter for the Las Vegas Sun. A graduate of the Mayborn School of Journalism at the University of North Texas, Ayden was a Dallas Press Club Foundation reporting fellow at the Tribune in 2023. They were born in the Houston suburb of Clear Lake and speak English and Arabic. They served as editor-in-chief of the North Texas Daily, UNT's student-run newspaper, and have worked on freelance projects for Newsweek.
To report a tip, contact Ayden on Signal at @aydenrunnels.17
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
League City voters reject continued use of Flock cameras
The police department for the Houston-area suburb operates a system of 55 cameras.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Greg Abbott lost because he became a RINO, Trump says
The president’s late-night rebuke came the same day he praised Abbott as “strong and highly respected.”
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
National GOP women’s group denies involvement in transgender youth texts
A company that sent the messages named a Republican organization and an individual as the senders. The texts about LGBTQ+ support materials drew intense backlash.
Posted in
Politics
Harris County, Texas AG’s office reach agreement on removal of get-out-the-vote ad tags
Despite the agreement in which both sides declared victory, the lawsuit the AG filed against the county over the ads is only on pause through Nov. 3.
Posted in
Courts
Texas Supreme Court blocks deposition intended to identify group behind transgender mailers
The ruling came 15 minutes before a Wyoming-registered group was scheduled to answer questions in a deposition ordered by a Travis County judge.
Posted in
Politics
Suburban Houston voters will be the first in Texas to decide the fate of Flock cameras
Tuesday’s election will determine if League City can keep its 55 cameras operating along city roads.
Posted in
Courts
Group behind trans mailers must answer questions under oath, Travis County judge rules
The organization, which argued that the order violates its First Amendment right to speak anonymously, will appeal.
Posted in
Politics
West Texas DA opens forgery investigation into disputed transgender mailers
The pamphlets appear to be an attempt to anger voters ahead of the midterm elections, GOP District Attorney Sarah Stogner said.
Posted in
Politics
False pamphlets causing backlash and confusion, Texas transgender rights group says
The mailers, sent by an organization formed last month in Wyoming, implicate a Texas transgender rights group that says it was not involved.
