Analysis: In a leaked memo, a peek at Texas GOP’s concerns
Political plans aren't necessarily clever or novel, as a recently leaked memo from the Texas GOP illustrates. But they do provide some insight into what worries the plotters. Full Story
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![President Donald Trump exits Air Force One at Austin Bergstorm International Airport during his visit with Apple CEO Tim Cook at an Apple facility in Austin on Nov. 20, 2019.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: A changing political climate in Fort Bend County and a politically fatal blunder
When state Rep. Rick Miller said two of his opponents were running because they're Asian, the real news was in the result, not in the gaffe. Top Texas Republicans reacted, publicly and quickly. Full Story
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![Rep. Rick Miller R-Sugar Land during a February 21, 2017 House Appropriations committee hearing]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Rick Miller’s swift demise shines light on the shifting politics of Fort Bend County and the Texas House
The drama that unfolded served as the latest reminder that seats in one of the country’s most ethnically diverse counties are some of the most competitive in the state heading into the 2020 election cycle. Full Story
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![State Rep. Rick Miller, R-Sugar Land, speaks on the House floor on May 4, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Texas candidates have one week left to sign up or shut up
Candidates have one more week to officially declare their 2020 campaigns. In the Texas House — a key partisan battleground — as many as 31 districts, out of 150, could be competitive. Full Story
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![State Capitol on June 20, 2017.]()
Credit: Austin Price for The Texas Tribune -
Tribcast: A Texas House cocaine scandal and a lack of receipts for the latest inauguration celebration
In this edition of the TribCast, Alex talks to Evan, Cassi and Shannon about the latest scandal to rock the Texas House, the receipts — or lack thereof — for Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s inauguration ceremony, and Julián Castro missing the fifth Democratic primary debate. Full Story
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![State Rep. Poncho Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass, at a House Committee on General Investigating and Ethics hearing on March 22, 2018.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: The Texas House is looking for new leadership — and maybe a change in direction
The Texas House is right where it was two years ago, entering an uncertain election cycle with a lame-duck leader. Does that signal a new path? Full Story
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![The Texas House of Representatives chamber on Nov. 20, 2018.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
With Bonnen sidelined, House Republicans spearhead new PAC to protect majority
The group, Leading Texas Forward PAC, hopes to raise $5 million this cycle, according to one of the lawmakers involved. Karl Rove is the group's treasurer. Full Story
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![Texas House of Representatives.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Beware of Texas politicians bearing home-brewed arithmetic
When government officials want to spin a story about state finance, it helps to have control of the numbers — and to do the math properly. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at the dais on the Senate floor on May 25, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Two Texas House scandals, unrelated but linked
Topically, a state legislator's cocaine possession case and the intemperate conversation that undid the speaker of the Texas House aren't related. But both are fodder for anyone who wants to shake up state government. Full Story
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![State Rep. Poncho Nevarez, D-Eagle Pass, during a Texas Sunset Advisory Commission meeting on Aug. 29, 2018]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Hurd launches group to build more diverse GOP
The Future Leaders Fund, a super PAC, plans to spend millions of dollars in the 2020 primaries. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-Helotes, speaks with Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith at the opening keynote of the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2019.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Arrest warrant issued for state Rep. Poncho Nevárez after he was caught on tape dropping envelope with cocaine
The document says that the envelope had Nevárez's official House seal and held “four small clear baggies” containing a substance found to include cocaine. Full Story
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![State Rep. Poncho Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass, on the House floor on May 1, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: For Texas candidates, 2020 officially started last weekend
The starting gun wasn't loud, but the 2020 elections in Texas began — officially — last Saturday, when candidates could start filing for office. That's the beginning of a sprint from now to the March primaries. Full Story
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![Political campaign signs outside of the Carver Branch Library in Austin on the last day of early voting in Travis County.]()
Credit: Rachel Zein for The Texas Tribune -
State Rep. Poncho Nevárez won't seek reelection in 2020
The Eagle Pass Democrat, who chairs the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee, announced the decision Friday, saying it's "time to come home." Full Story
![State Rep. Poncho Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass, on the House floor on May 1, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune -
In race to replace Zerwas in Texas House, Democrat Eliz Markowitz and Republican Gary Gates head to a runoff
Democrats are hoping to flip Texas House District 28 in the upcoming runoff. Meanwhile, in Dallas' House District 100 race, five votes separate two candidates trying to make it to the second round. Full Story
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![HD-28 candidates Democrat Elizabeth “Eliz” Markowitz and Republican Gary Gates will likely face each other in a runoff election to replace outgoing state Rep. John Zerwas in the Fort Bend County district.]()
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Gutierrez to announce second run for Senate District 19
The seat is held by Pleasanton Republican Pete Flores, who won it in a special-election upset last year. Full Story
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![State Rep. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, speaks prior to the Texas House Committee on Defense and Veteran's Affairs hearing on how annexation reform affects nearby bases, in San Antonio on June 19, 2017.]()
Credit: Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribune -
Empower Texans helped topple House Speaker Dennis Bonnen. Did it further the conservative movement?
The hardline conservative group can claim a victory for ousting Bonnen. But will that be good for its ideological interests? Full Story
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![Michael Quinn Sullivan, president and CEO of Empower Texans, speaks during a Tea Party rally on the south steps of the Capitol in Austin on April 17, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Maybe the Texas House should try something new and completely different
Looking for a new speaker, the Texas House wants a big change. Here’s a modest proposal. Full Story
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: A race for speaker of the Texas House? Not so fast.
With Dennis Bonnen not seeking another term, state representatives are once again at the start of a race for Speaker of the Texas House. This could take a while. Full Story
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![Empty chamber of the Texas House of Representatives at the state captiol.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen won't face criminal prosecution, Brazoria County DA says
District Attorney Jeri Yenne called Bonnen's behavior "offensive, lacking in integrity" and "demeaning to other human beings." Full Story
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![House Speaker Dennis Bonnen announces committee chairs at the state capitol. Jan 23, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
After a steady rise, Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen's fall came fast
The leader of the Capitol's lower chamber kept fighting until the end, to the frustration of some of his members. Full Story
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![Speaker Dennis Bonnen during the Texas Fallen Heroes ceremony on May 25, 2019]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune
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