Biden endorses Markowitz in battleground Texas House race
The leading Democratic presidential candidate is wading into the Jan. 28 special election runoff for House District 28. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9463a976cfa502b7b3a9d6bd08014ee5/Biden%20and%20Markowitz%20EG%20social%20TT.jpg)
-
![Democratic candidate for president Joe Biden has endorsed Democrat Eliz Markowitz for Texas House district 28.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune | Social media -
Texas politics in 2019: Take a look at the top stories of the year
The first half of the year was marked by cooperation in the Texas Legislature. The second half was dominated by scandal. All the while, the specter of 2020 loomed. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/43b9ca602b19e86ff2e2ac82b2fc6193/State%20Capitol%20JF%20TT%2001.jpg)
![The Texas State Capitol on May 22, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune -
The best of the Tribune's storytelling with data and graphics in 2019
The Tribune's data visuals team published more than 100 graphics about Texas politics and policy this year. Here's a look back at some of our favorites. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/49a486f5a877169069a10385f54ca743/TT-TexasHeatMap-share.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Emily Albracht/The Texas Tribune -
Revisit some of The Texas Tribune’s best stories of 2019
Our reporters crisscrossed the Texas Capitol and traveled to the Panhandle and East Texas — as well as the Netherlands and Honduras — to tell stories about the state's politics, people and places. From a story on a migrant's desperate journey to a look at how coal companies are leaving behind contaminated land, here is a selection of their best work of the year. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a1b3d6cc02b6365d7e1ce8d459264a4c/Reverse%20Capitol%20Texas%20Flag%20AP%20TT.jpg)
![View from the Capitol Rotunda in Austin.]()
Credit: Austin Price for The Texas Tribune -
Beto O'Rourke unveils PAC with focus on boosting Texas Democrats in 2020
The group, Powered by People, comes less than two months after O'Rourke ended his presidential campaign. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a595f009d4b23b676204bf602d1038f5/06%20Beto%20Paramount%20BD%20TT.JPG)
![Garrett Haake interviews presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke at The Texas Tribune Festival on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Here’s your Texas 2020 March primary ballot
The Texas 2020 primary will take place on March 3. See the full list of candidates statewide, and find out who's on your ballot based on where you live. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e65a5ba6c163101e9f7aefc15f3b463b/TT-2020-Election_pointer.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Emily Albracht -
Texas House committee adopts report saying Dennis Bonnen "likely violated" law in meeting with hardline activist, closes investigation
The committee took no further action on the report, which stated that the information produced "militates against criminal prosecution" on retiring House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and state Rep. Dustin Burrows. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/07ebba21917f4c55269d33ebe66c2c09/04%20Dennis%20Bonnnen%20Committee%20Announcement%20MG%20TT.jpg)
![House Speaker Dennis Bonnen announces committee chairs at the state capitol. Jan 23, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Joe Biden sells himself as the Democrat to beat Trump — and turn Texas blue — during San Antonio campaign stop
“You’ll be seeing a lot of me before now and November, God willing," the former vice president said at a rally in the hometown of fellow Democratic candidate Julián Castro. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e26763b68650f67472d095c350d2b258/Biden%20San%20Antonio%20EG%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at a community event in San Antonio on Dec. 13, 2019.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
State Rep. Bill Zedler decides against reelection bid
The Arlington Republican made the decision after filing to run for another term and after the filing deadline had passed. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/eca52552722dd21073a2c0476e30240c/04%20RFK%20JR%20Vaccine%20Event%20MG%20TT.jpg)
![State Reps. Bill Zedler, R-Arlington, and Kyle Biedermann, R-Fredericksburg, speak at a Texans for Vaccine Choice event at the state Capitol on May 3, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d35db7b6daa76f8c7aa4080b20a814a9/Texas%20House%20of%20Representatives%20BD%20TT.jpg)
![Texas House of Representatives.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Joe Biden ramps up Texas campaign, naming state director
The Democratic presidential candidate is also getting support from another Texas state senator, Burleson’s Beverly Powell. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/345d4297a5211bab5881379ec5344baa/02%20Biden%20NEA%20MS%20TT.jpg)
![Former Vice President and presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks at the National Education association presidential forum in Houston on Friday, July 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato 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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/498764507b73c18987841a69219ab1cc/06%20Poncho%20Nevarez%20JF%20TT.jpg)
![State Rep. Poncho Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass, on the House floor on May 1, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune -
Secret recordings in Texas: A brief history of some Capitol controversies
Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen announced he would not seek reelection a week after the release of an infamous recording of a conversation between him and a political activist. It's not the first time that secret recordings caused a stir in Texas politics. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/400c79a6dbe9c4149e0f909c9b70dc29/Cap-Recordings.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman / 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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ec103c9be640e242eb6a900c0a5364d1/Elizabeth%20Markowitz%20Gary%20Gates%20TT.jpg)
![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.]()
Credit: Social media -
Castro gets support of nine lawmakers who previously backed O'Rourke as he tries to shore up his campaign
The wave of endorsements comes four days after O'Rourke dropped out of the race — and as Castro searches for a path forward for his cash-strapped campaign. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fb80eaec8ee79e743615bc8cf47e66fb/Julian%20Casto%20BD%2016%20TT.jpg)
![Katy Tur interviews presidential candidate Julián Castro at The Texas Tribune Festival on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers ask Gov. Greg Abbott to stop execution of Rodney Reed, whose guilt is widely doubted
Rodney Reed's guilt in the 1996 murder of Stacey Stites has been questioned for decades. A bipartisan group of lawmakers join national calls to stop his upcoming execution. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bb83d676afd0c20ce5b65b0164f6d8c1/Rodney%20Reed%20KXAN%20TT.jpg)
![Rodney Reed was sentenced to death for the 1996 murder of Stacey Stites in Bastrop.]()
Credit: Courtesy KXAN -
Both sides brace for a more action-packed runoff in special election for Zerwas seat
The Tuesday special election for the suburban Houston seat is expected to advance to a runoff between the sole Democratic candidate and one of three viable Republican candidates out of six overall. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1897688765d98f4bde46fd6392510a4c/Voting_in_Katy_TX_PYH_TT.jpg)
![People wait to vote after polling places' official 7:00 closing time, at Tompkins High School in Katy in Fort Bend Co. on Nov. 6, 2018.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dcccfeee695e8086ac77a7c7d9928ed6/Roland_Gutierrez_RJ_TT.jpg)
![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 -
Texas education officials recommend replacing Houston ISD's elected school board
A Texas Education Agency final investigative report, sent to lawmakers Wednesday evening, recommends the state appoint new leaders of Texas' largest school district. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/student-classroom-back.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Tom Woodward for The Texas Tribune -
Capitol insiders: Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is letting the state's budget agency fall apart
The Texas Legislative Budget Board is hemorrhaging staff and has been without an executive director for a year. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/94e3b05fe8af9e85b0128ac800069822/Sine%20Die%20Weekend%20Saturday%20MG%20TT%2016.jpg)
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at the dais on the Senate floor on May 25, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune