Abraham George’s comments are the latest sign of the state GOP’s embrace of fundamentalist ideologies that seek to center public life around their faith.
Robert Downen
Robert Downen was a reporter covering democracy and the threats to it, including extremism, disinformation and conspiracies. Before joining the Tribune in 2022, he worked for five years at the Houston Chronicle. As a Hearst Media fellow, he developed what would become "Abuse of Faith," a landmark investigation into child sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention that prompted a Department of Justice investigation. Before coming to Texas, Robert was a business reporter in New York's capital region and the managing editor of six newspapers in his home state of Illinois. He is a 2014 graduate of Eastern Illinois University.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2025
Texas lawmaker accuses state GOP chair of ethics violation over threats in House speaker race
Rep. Cody Harris filed a complaint against Texas GOP Chair Abraham George for sending mailers and censuring lawmakers who support Rep. Dustin Burrows as House speaker.
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Texas Legislature 2025
Texas GOP threatens House members who support Dustin Burrows in speaker race with attack mailers
This is the latest example of the Republican Party of Texas spending its resources attacking its own members.
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Texas Legislature 2025
A new Texas GOP rule could alter the House speaker’s race — and ban some Republicans from appearing in primaries
Republicans who vote against party leaders’ preferred candidate could be barred from running in primaries. Lawsuits could follow.
Posted in
2024 Texas Elections
Three Republicans keep their seats on Texas Supreme Court, despite efforts from pro-abortion groups
John Devine, Jane Bland and Jimmy Blacklock won their reelection bids over Democrat challengers backed by groups that support expanding abortion access.
Posted in
Politics
Colleagues condemn Tarrant County GOP leader for repeated use of slurs
It’s the latest backlash over Tarrant County GOP Chair Bo French’s online behavior.
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Investigations
Texas Supreme Court justice’s oversight of trust belonging to millionaire with dementia raises ethics concerns
Despite objections from her family, John Devine oversees the trust of Elvie Kingston, a clear violation of Texas’ judicial ethics rules, experts said. His wife is also her legal guardian.
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2024 Texas Elections
Texas GOP investing in South Texas races as some Republicans worry about party’s performance in November
Several local party officials have signed an open letter warning that “grave and deteriorating” fundraising and voter outreach efforts could leave some candidates vulnerable.
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Higher Education
Dan Patrick asks Senate to consider bills to unmask protesters, change runoff elections
The new list includes many right-wing priorities, and would escalate Republicans’ wars against diversity, equity and inclusion programs and review laws to keep noncitizens off voter rolls.
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2024 Texas Elections
Rep. Shawn Thierry joins anti-trans policy group after losing Democratic primary
The Houston Democrat lost her seat after backlash for voting with Republicans to ban transition-related care for minors.