In GOP runoffs for the Texas House, viability in November is a leading concern
Republicans are hoping to line up their best candidates with control of the lower chamber possibly up for grabs in the fall. Full Story
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![The floor of the house on April 11, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Empower Texans opponents rush to exact revenge over anti-Abbott tirade
The release last week of audio of two Empower Texans staffers disparaging Gov. Greg Abbott with profanity and jokes about his disability became nearly instant fodder in the fast-approaching runoffs. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott gives an update on Texas hospital bed capacity and the state's strategy for fighting COVID-19 during a press conference at Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin on Tuesday, June 16, 2020.]()
Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell/Pool via Austin American-Statesman -
Texas lawmakers want to add more LGTBQ safeguards after U.S. Supreme Court guarantees workplace protections
A new ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court makes clear that it violates federal law to fire an employee on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation. Now Texas lawmakers want to guarantee similar protections for LGBTQ Texans in housing, health care and other spheres. Full Story
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![Members of Austin's LGBT community gather on the steps of the capitol to celebrate the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots on June 28, 2017.]()
Credit: Austin Price for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Legislative Black Caucus starts planning legislative responses to police brutality, racial inequality
Lawmakers took input from constituents during the first in a seres of virtual town halls scheduled this week. Full Story
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![Members of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus at a press conference supporting the CROWN Act in Houston on Feb. 6, 2020.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Six candidates, including two well-known Democrats, file in special Texas Senate election to replace Kirk Watson
State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez and former Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt, both Democrats, are among those vying for the seat. So is former Austin City Council member Don Zimmerman, a Republican. Full Story
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![An aerial view of the Capitol during the coronavirus outbreak on March 23, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
How gun control advocates plan to make Texas a top political priority in 2020
One group, Everytown for Gun Safety, has already committed $8 million to the state this election cycle and is now naming three hires, including two seasoned Democratic operatives, to help see the plan through. Full Story
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![Guns at McBride's Guns in Austin on Mar 26, 2013.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen suggests ordering 5% budget cuts for state agencies
Bonnen raised the idea in a letter earlier this month to Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Full Story
![An aerial view of the Capitol during the coronavirus outbreak on March 23, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas' budget could take massive hit as coronavirus crisis continues unfolding, lawmakers learn
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar told House members that it's too soon to make detailed forecasts, but both the state budget and Economic Stabilization Fund could be drastically revised down. Full Story
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![Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announces his office has picked a private vendor to run the Texas Bullion Depository, which will be designed to store gold for both the state and private citizens, at the Capitol on June 14, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
After updated results, Republican makes runoff for key state House seat by one-vote margin
Justin Berry advanced to the primary overtime round after earlier results had him missing the runoff by one vote. Third-place finisher Don Zimmerman has until Friday to request a recount. Full Story
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![Justin Berry is a candidate for Texas House District 19.]()
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Three Texas House members are heading for runoffs
GOP state Reps. Dan Flynn and J.D. Sheffield will go into overtime rounds, as will state Rep. Harold Dutton, a Houston Democrat. Full Story
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![House floor on April 11, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Culling the Texas ballots, round one
Tuesday's elections will trim dozens and dozens of would-be officeholders from the ballots, setting the table for a number of consequential runoffs and for a highly contested and anticipated general election in Texas. Full Story
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![People in line to cast their vote at a South Austin early voting location on Nov. 2, 2018.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Two Texas House Republicans battle right flank in otherwise calm primary season
GOP state Reps. J.D. Sheffield of Gatesville and Dan Flynn of Canton are standing out as perhaps the most vulnerable House Republicans days out from the primary election. Full Story
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![From left: State Reps. J.D. Sheffield, R-Gatesville, and Dan Flynn, R-Canton.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Abbott-backed candidate fights Schofield for his old seat as November looms large
After narrowly losing reelection in 2018, former state Rep. Mike Schofield is making a comeback bid — against a Republican primary newcomer endorsed by Gov. Greg Abbott. Full Story
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![Angelica Garcia and former state Rep. Mike Schofield are running for Texas House District 132 in the Republican primary.]()
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The billionaire Wilks family bankrolls one of its own in run for Texas House
The family has pumped millions from its fracking fortune into Texas politics, backing hardline conservative candidates and causes. Now one member of the clan is vying for the House District 60 seat being vacated by Rep. Mike Lang. Full Story
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![From left: Jon Francis and Glenn Rogers are among the four Republicans running for the open seat in Texas House District 60.]()
Credit: Via social media -
Greg Abbott plans pre-primary tour supporting GOP state House incumbents, candidates
The governor is hitting the campaign trail for at least 10 House incumbents and candidates whom he has endorsed. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott, speaks at the Resurgent Gathering of conservative party activists
in Austin on August 3, 2018.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Our updated Texas 2020 Hotlist: The most competitive races in this year's primary
A couple of The Texas Tribune's political nerds highlight (their latest version of) the most interesting races up and down the 2020 primary ballot. Full Story
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Watch: Who will control the Texas House?
It’s the question everyone’s asking across the state and at the Capitol: Will the Texas House flip? Watch our conversation with state Reps. Celia Israel, D-Austin, and Craig Goldman, R-Fort Worth. Full Story
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Stepping into GOP primaries, Dennis Bonnen donates to seven Texas House incumbents
The contributions mark the first notable movement from Bonnen's PAC since he announced in October he wasn't seeking reelection. Full Story
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![House Speaker Dennis Bonnen during a press conference on a Domestic Terrorism Task Force roundtable held at the Capitol on Jan. 7, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Democrats regroup after Republicans score easy win in Texas House special election
Campaign strategies — and the extent of Beto O'Rourke's involvement — were being contemplated after a big loss in a race that gained statewide attention. Full Story
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![Democratic Texas House District 28 candidate Eliz Markowitz speaks to supports at a watch party in Katy, Texas, Tuesday, January 28, 2020. (Photo by Michael Stravato for the Texas Tribune)]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Conservative activists helped elect Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Now some say there’s a disconnect.
A group of hardline grassroots activists has called on Patrick to be more outspoken on party priorities and worries that lines of communication appear to no longer be there. Full Story
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![JoAnn Fleming, executive director of Grassroots America, sits for a portrait in the lobby of the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Tyler Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020.]()
Credit: Cara Campbell for The Texas Tribune