Texas’ Senate Republican primary, meanwhile, looks headed for a runoff. The survey found U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in a dead heat against Attorney General Ken Paxton, with neither eclipsing 30%.
Gabby Birenbaum
Gabby Birenbaum is the Washington Correspondent for the Texas Tribune. She covers the Texas congressional delegation and the impact of federal policy on Texas. Gabby previously covered Washington for The Nevada Independent, where she wrote the weekly D.C. Download newsletter and covered the 2024 presidential election and competitive Senate race. Prior to The Nevada Independent, Gabby worked at The Washington Monthly and Vox. Gabby graduated from Northwestern University, where she studied journalism and political science. She is a native of Arlington, Virginia and is based in Washington, DC. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, watching movies and being a long-suffering fan of DC sports teams. Her work is supported by a partnership with Report for America.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Jasmine Crockett’s pastor, Frederick Haynes III, sees Congress as stage to pursue social justice
Haynes staked out several progressive policy positions at his recent campaign launch event, including support for Medicare for All and dismantling U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Posted in
Health care
More Texans have signed up for ACA health coverage despite expiring subsidies and falling national enrollment
The Jan. 3 snapshot, though incomplete, indicates a stabler marketplace and less coverage loss than many experts and insurers feared.
Posted in
Immigration
In border visit, John Cornyn resists calls to expand visas for foreign workers
The Republican U.S. senator praised Trump’s border initiatives and said fully securing the border should take priority over changing immigration law.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Texas hands over complete list of registered voters to Trump administration
The Justice Department has asked states for their voter rolls with an eye toward purging ineligible voters. Democrats say sharing the data could violate federal election law.
Posted in
Health care
Texas GOP Rep. Monica De La Cruz joins Democrats in vote to pass three-year ACA subsidy extension
Edinburg Rep. Monica De La Cruz was the only Texas Republican to break with her party and vote with all Democrats and a handful of Republicans on a key healthcare bill.
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.
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Health care
The Rio Grande Valley among Texas regions most impacted by expiring health insurance subsidies
In the Rio Grande Valley, 98% of ACA enrollees received an advanced premium tax credit that lowered their monthly payments. Those subsidies will decrease Jan. 1.
Posted in
Congress
Another exodus in Congress means Texas will need to start rebuilding its clout in 2027
At least 10 Texas incumbents will not be returning to Congress next term, a high-water mark for turnover in the delegation.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Rep. Marc Veasey drops bid for Tarrant County judge
The Fort Worth Democrat had filed to challenge GOP incumbent Tim O’Hare just before last week’s deadline to get on the 2026 ballot. His withdrawal gives Commissioner Alisa Simmons a clear path to the Democratic nomination.