Harris’ surprise visit comes in the closing weeks of a campaign in which she has largely focused her efforts on other states.
Jasper Scherer
Jasper Scherer is the politics editor for The Texas Tribune. He oversees a team of reporters in Austin and Washington who lead the newsroom’s coverage of campaigns and elections, watchdog Texas' top officials, and translate what the state’s political and legislative developments mean for Texans. Jasper previously reported on politics for the Tribune, which he joined after stints covering politics and government at the state and local levels for the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News. A native of San Francisco, Jasper graduated from Northwestern University with degrees in journalism and political science in 2017, the same year he began covering Texas politics. He is based in Austin.
How a career-ending injury as an NFL linebacker paved the way for Colin Allred’s underdog Senate bid
Allred was a high school football star who would later go on to play for the Tennessee Titans. From there he pivoted to law school where he pursued a career as a civil rights attorney.
Colin Allred, Ted Cruz blast each other as “extreme,” throw jabs on border and abortion in Senate debate
The debate proved combative from start to finish, with Cruz and Allred trading barbs on nearly every issue that came up.
Here are the Texas House races that Democrats and Republicans think they can flip
Democrats — riding a wave of enthusiasm sparked by Kamala Harris’ nomination — think they can flip just enough House seats to stop Republicans from passing school vouchers.
Republicans raise $1 million targeting South Texas House races as Democrats invest elsewhere
Democrats have long held an edge in South Texas, but Republicans see an opening there to expand their House majority.
Elon Musk steps into Texas legislative races with $1 million donation to business group
Musk has recently emerged as a key backer of GOP nominee Donald Trump, whose top allies in Texas are at war with the group that received Musk’s largesse.
Colin Allred raises $30 million in third quarter of 2024, outpacing Ted Cruz
The staggering fundraising numbers mean that Cruz and Allred have collectively raised at least $132 million, surpassing the final combined haul from 2018.
In South Texas congressional race, Monica De La Cruz and Michelle Vallejo spar over health care
The topic is playing a major role in one of Texas’ only competitive congressional races this year as the competitors debate Medicare, abortion and expanding coverage.
Bernie Sanders tells Texas progressives to back Harris, says Allred win would “make all the difference”
Joining Sanders as he campaigns up and down the I-35 corridor are Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Greg Casar, and former El Paso congressman Beto O’Rourke.
O’Rourke and Emhoff raise another million for Harris campaign, tout voter registration momentum
After lunching on Whataburgers with Beto O’Rourke, Doug Emhoff criticized GOP voting laws and urged Texans not to “let anyone prevent you from registering and from voting.”

