Gov. Greg Abbott is a top sponsor and Speaker Dustin Burrows will be the first sitting speaker to address the gathering, as Republicans close ranks ahead of a tough midterm.
Renzo Downey
Renzo Downey is the lead writer of The Blast, The Texas Tribune’s premium politics newsletter. Prior to joining the Tribune in February 2023, he worked as a state government and politics reporter and a newsletter editor for Florida Politics. He was previously an intern on the state desk at the Austin American-Statesman. A San Francisco Bay Area native, Renzo received his bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from Northwestern University.
Posted in
Environment
Screwworms are closer than ever to Texas, but not 1 mile away as lawmaker claims
On Monday, state Rep. Don McLaughlin said the parasitic fly that threatens the state’s cattle industry was 1 mile away. U.S. officials said that was not yet true.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Incumbent Rep. Hubert Vo defeated in Democratic runoff
Alief school board President Darlene Breaux defeated Vo, who spent more than two decades in the Texas House. Dallas state Rep. Venton Jones held off Amanda Richardson.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Texas lieutenant governor Democratic runoff: Who is running and what to know
The lieutenant governor’s office is one of the most powerful in Texas government, and the 2026 race features a Democratic runoff between Vikki Goodwin and Marcos Velez.
Posted in
Politics
This Texas House GOP nominee once urged Republicans to soften their immigration rhetoric. He’s changed his tune.
In 2012, the New York Times interviewed Brad Bailey at the Republican National Convention about his efforts to get the party “stop the hatred language and fix the problem.”
Posted in
State Government
Texas is cutting undocumented immigrants off from school, work and driving
The sweeping rule changes, all enacted outside the typical legislative process, have upended life for noncitizens, including those who are here legally.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Big money moved the needle and down-ballot chaos reigned in Texas’ action-packed primaries
Two blockbuster Senate primaries dominated attention, chaos reigned in down-ballot races and an intense runoff season looms.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Incumbents prevail in Texas legislative races amid proxy battles over casinos, tort reform
The most expensive state House primaries this cycle were proxy wars over issues including casinos, tort reform and a lingering battle between establishment Republicans and more hardline conservatives.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Polls close today in the Texas primaries. Here are five things to watch.
This Tuesday, Tribune reporters are watching two blockbuster Senate primaries, an open attorney general seat, and more high-stakes, competitive races up and down the Texas ballot.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Steelworkers union leader emerges as sleeper in Texas’ Democratic lieutenant governor primary
Facing state Rep. Vikki Goodwin, Marcos Vélez has landed the Texas AFL-CIO’s endorsement and support from a donor trail that leads back to the state party’s top campaign partner.
