The attorney general said the Trump-led GOP gathering in Dallas “dropped our numbers,” according to a recent audio recording published by The New York Times.
Kayla Guo
Kayla Guo covers state politics and government. Before joining the Tribune, she covered Congress for The New York Times as a reporting fellow based in Washington, D.C. Kayla has also covered transportation policy for Politico and local news for The Raleigh News & Observer, and she was a part-time digital producer for The Boston Globe. She graduated from Brown University, where she studied public policy and served as editor-in-chief and president of the independent student newspaper. She was born and raised on Long Island, New York. She is based in Austin.
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The 2026 Texas Tribune Festival
Democratic statewide candidates offer careful optimism for November
The candidates argued that frustrations with decades of Republican control will lead to better results for Democrats in November.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Texas governor 2026: Who is running and what to know
The governor is Texas’ chief executive, with a hand in everything from enforcing laws to setting budget priorities and responding to crises. Here’s a look at where GOP candidate Gov. Greg Abbott and Democratic candidate Gina Hinojosa stand.
Posted in
The 2026 Texas Tribune Festival
James Talarico challenges Ken Paxton to Fox News debate
Paxton has yet to accept any debate invitations despite his campaign saying he was eager to confront Talarico in the campaign for U.S. Senate.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
James Talarico is moderating on gender, climate issues in his competitive Senate election
Republicans have seized on his past votes and comments to argue he will revert to his most progressive positions if elected, while Talarico’s campaign insists he has remained consistent.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Jimmy Kimmel won’t air interview with James Talarico after threat from FCC
Kimmel was briefly suspended by ABC after the FCC threatened the network when he made a joke on air about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
At Dallas convention, Texas Republicans claim credit for tax cuts, blame Democrats for high prices
With high costs top of mind, GOP candidates in competitive races tested a tightrope act: Trump’s policies are helping, but Biden is still the culprit for your gas and grocery bills.
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Congress
At midterm convention, Trump vows to campaign hard for Paxton after mocking his speech and looks
The president used his winding, nearly two-hour keynote address to try to boost Republicans around the country, telling his supporters to “pretend that I’m on the ballot” this fall.
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2026 Texas Elections
In reversal, James Talarico says he opposes trans athletes in girls’ sports “if it risks safety or fairness”
Talarico’s comments on Fox News came in contrast to positions he took in the Texas House opposing GOP restrictions on trans student-athletes.
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2026 Texas Elections
GOP to open first-ever midterm convention in Dallas as Texas’ U.S. Senate race hangs in the balance
The two-day gathering, informally dubbed “Trumpapalooza,” will put Texas at the center of the political world as it hits the homestretch of its most competitive election cycle in years.
