In the GOP-dominated Texas House, can Democrats influence who will replace House Speaker Joe Straus? Some Republican members say that’s unlikely but others insist that, on such an important decision, the minority party can’t be ignored.
Cassandra Pollock
Cassandra Pollock was a state politics reporter for the Tribune. She joined the Tribune full-time in June 2017 after a fellowship during the 85th Texas Legislature. Pollock spent her first two years at the Trib as an engagement reporter, which meant her name likely landed in your inbox every weekday morning with “The Brief,” a newsletter on all things Texas politics and public policy. Pollock is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin’s School of Journalism. Pollock left The Texas Tribune in 2021.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
In Texas’ tightest state House races, right-leaning groups are giving Republicans an edge
GOP candidates have a financial advantage thanks to deep-pocketed groups like Empower Texans and Texans for Lawsuit Reform.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
Texas Republicans mostly outraising opponents in key state races
The Democrats running against Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and Attorney General Ken Paxton outraised the incumbents in the most recent fundraising period.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
Some Texas Republicans are endorsing Democrats. Is it “Texas over party” or sour grapes?
Two statewide officeholders are among the Republican incumbents who have seen former primary opponents take the unusual step of endorsing their Democratic challengers ahead of the midterm elections.
Posted inState Government
Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush signs plan to overhaul Alamo Plaza
Bush signed the proposal over the objections of several Republican lawmakers.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
Democrats are turning Dallas into a midterm battleground for the Texas House
Democrats are running aggressively in the Dallas area to flip several Republican-held seats in the Texas House. Talk of a “blue wave” is only part of why they’re optimistic.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Drew Darby becomes fifth Republican to file for Texas House speaker
The San Angelo representative joined the race to succeed retiring House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
Beto O’Rourke says he isn’t debating Ted Cruz this Friday
In July, Cruz challenged O’Rourke to five debates, with the first one to be held Friday, Aug. 31, in Dallas.
Posted in
Higher Education
Federal appeals court upholds Texas campus carry law
A three-judge panel of the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a prior dismissal of a lawsuit filed by three professors at the University of Texas at Austin, which aimed to block the law and allow professors to prohibit firearms in their classrooms.
Posted in
Politics
Ask the candidates: What questions do you want answered before the November 2018 election?
Ahead of November’s general election, The Texas Tribune is creating an election guide with a primary focus on young Texans — and we need your help.