There are several new names joining our annual celebration of and commitment to a stronger democracy.
Why The Texas Tribune Festival creates space for important conversations
Posted in
We the Texans
Texas officials compromised ballot secrecy as they increased election transparency
In limited instances, the choices some Texas voters make can later be identified using public, legally available data.
Posted in
2024 Texas Elections
U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales prevails in primary runoff over gun influencer Brandon Herrera
The race became a referendum on the San Antonio Republican’s vote to support a bipartisan gun control package after the Uvalde school shooting.
Posted in
2024 Texas Elections
Lupe Valdez loses primary runoff to Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown
Lupe Valdez previously held the sheriff’s post before unsuccessfully running for governor in 2018. Brown’s win likely clears her path to another term.
Posted in
2024 Texas Elections
Lauren Ashley Simmons declares victory over Texas Rep. Shawn Thierry, who broke with Democrats on LGBTQ+ votes
The Simmons-Thierry contest emerged as a test of whether Democratic lawmakers who do not fully support LGBTQ+ causes can remain in good standing with their own party’s voters.
Posted in
2024 Texas Elections
Texas House runoffs bring wave of GOP incumbent defeats, give Abbott votes for school vouchers
Six of eight GOP incumbents lost their races. Gov. Greg Abbott declared he “now has enough votes to pass school choice.”
Posted in
Health care
Despite pressure, Amarillo City Council punts on abortion travel ban petition
Supporters of the petition may ultimately seek a vote of Amarillo residents later this fall.
Posted in
2024 Texas Elections
Brent Hagenbuch wins GOP primary runoff for open Texas Senate seat
Hagenbuch won the primary in a district vacated by former Sen. Drew Springer, R-Muenster.
Posted in
2024 Texas Elections
House Speaker Dade Phelan wins runoff, surviving challenge by Texas GOP’s far-right forces
Business-minded Republicans spent millions trying to save Phelan, whose far-right opponent had the backing of Donald Trump, Ken Paxton and Dan Patrick. Phelan won by 366 votes, according to unofficial returns.
Posted in
2024 Texas Elections
Craig Goldman wins GOP runoff in outgoing U.S. Rep. Kay Granger’s district
The high-stakes race pitted an established Republican lawmaker against a right-wing candidate who had Attorney General Ken Paxton’s backing.
