The high court, currently made up entirely of Republicans, decides some of the most consequential cases impacting everyday Texans’ lives. Here’s a look at who’s running for the court’s four seats on the 2026 ballot.
Eleanor Klibanoff
Eleanor Klibanoff is the law and politics reporter, based in Austin, where she covers the the Texas Legislature, the Office of the Attorney General, state and federal courts and politics writ large. She also co-hosts the weekly politics podcast, TribCast. Eleanor previously spent three years as the Tribune’s women’s health reporter, covering abortion, maternal health and LGBTQ issues. Before coming to Texas, Eleanor worked for the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting, where she reported, hosted and produced the Peabody-nominated podcast, “Dig.” Eleanor was born in Philadelphia and raised in Atlanta, and attended The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Posted in
Courts
AG Ken Paxton cannot shut down Texas Latino voting group, judge rules
Paxton had accused Jolt Initiative of an “unlawful voter registration scheme,” but a federal judge found the AG failed to offer “any plausible proof” of wrongdoing.
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2026 Texas Elections
On the issues: Q&A with the Republicans running for Texas attorney general
Texas’ next top lawyer will inherit an office that has become the tip of the spear of the conservative legal movement. To help primary voters differentiate, we asked the four GOP candidates where they stand on the agency’s major issues.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
On the issues: Q&A with the Democrats running for Texas attorney general
Republicans have turned the office into a conservative legal juggernaut, but three Democrats are competing for the chance to take it back. To help primary voters differentiate, we asked the candidates where they stand on the agency’s major issues.
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TribCast
TribCast: Will Venezuela impact Texas’ oil industry?
TribCast dives into the potentially Texas-sized repercussions of President Trump’s plan to get U.S. companies to rebuild Venezuela’s oil industry.
Posted in
Courts
Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar, brother of Rep. Henry Cuellar, indicted on federal fraud charges
The five-term sheriff and brother of Congressman Henry Cuellar denied all wrongdoing through his lawyer.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Here’s who has the financial edge to replace Attorney General Ken Paxton
The four-way Republican primary drew millions in donations over the second half of 2025, outpacing the comparatively meager fundraising by Democrats led by Sen. Nathan Johnson.
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TribCast
TribCast: Can Texas zero out property taxes?
TribCast digs into the dueling proposals that are teeing up a contentious property tax fight.
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TribCast
TribCast: 10 questions that will shape Texas politics in 2026
Matthew and Eleanor look ahead in the new year to Gov. Greg Abbott’s power, Democrats chances and the issues that will dominate election season.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Statewide battles, Latino voters and down-ballot contests: the biggest Texas political stories to watch in 2026
The Texas Tribune’s politics team has compiled five of the top stories we’re watching this year, when voters will have their first chance to make their opinions known on the events of 2025.
