Beto O'Rourke

Democrats confront bellwether expectations as Texas House special election reaches end

by Patrick Svitek

Texas House District 28 is getting wide attention from Democrats, but it is far from the most competitive legislative district on their radar this year, and Republicans are confident ahead of a special election runoff Tuesday. Full Story 

Analysis: A special election to test the red-blue shift in Texas politics

by Ross Ramsey

The winner of the special election underway in Fort Bend County might never take a legislative vote. But House District 28 is an important battleground for Democrats and Republicans fighting over suburban Texas. Full Story 

Michael Bloomberg’s Texas strategy is expensive and unprecedented. Can it work?

by Alex Samuels

Bloomberg is skipping the early states and hoping his big staff and big spending in states like Texas can launch him to victory. Full Story 

Elizabeth Warren backs Eliz Markowitz in battleground Texas House race

by Patrick Svitek

The U.S. senator from Massachusetts is the latest Democratic presidential candidate to get involved in the Jan. 28 special election runoff for House District 28. Full Story 

Warren reveals more endorsements from former Castro, O’Rourke supporters

by Alex Samuels and Patrick Svitek

The Massachusetts U.S. senator's latest endorsements come from four state lawmakers who represent O’Rourke’s native El Paso and previously supported him or Castro. Full Story 

Analysis: Julián Castro’s unsuccessful bid for president wasn’t really an ending

by Ross Ramsey

It's possible for a political candidate to win by losing — to rise in prominence as a result of a losing campaign for office. Beto O'Rourke tried and failed to do that. But keep an eye on Julián Castro, whose profile rose as his presidential bid fell apart. Full Story 

Biden endorses Markowitz in battleground Texas House race

by Patrick Svitek

The leading Democratic presidential candidate is wading into the Jan. 28 special election runoff for House District 28. Full Story 

In his presidential campaign, Julián Castro stood out but couldn’t break out

by Patrick Svitek and Alex Samuels

The former U.S. housing secretary and San Antonio mayor ended his White House bid Thursday after failing to see efforts to distinguish himself translate into reliable support. Full Story 

Julián Castro drops out of presidential race

by Patrick Svitek, Alex Samuels and Abby Livingston

Castro’s departure means there will be no Texans competing in the Democratic presidential primary. Full Story 

Michael Bloomberg revs up Texas campaign with big plans

by Alex Samuels and Patrick Svitek

The Democratic presidential candidate is staffing up in Texas and planning to open a Houston headquarters and 16 field offices. Full Story 

Beto O'Rourke unveils PAC with focus on boosting Texas Democrats in 2020

by Patrick Svitek

The group, Powered by People, comes less than two months after O'Rourke ended his presidential campaign. Full Story 

Democratic primary to challenge Crenshaw gets 11th-hour shakeup

by Patrick Svitek

Shortly before the filing deadline last week, Sima Ladjevardian jumped in the race to unseat Crenshaw, scrambling Democrats' plans for the seat. Full Story 

Beto O'Rourke's 2020 focus: flipping the Texas House

by Patrick Svitek

The former Democratic presidential candidate elaborated on his 2020 political plans while campaigning Tuesday with a state House candidate in Katy. Full Story 

Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee endorses MJ Hegar in crowded U.S. Senate primary

by Patrick Svitek

Hegar, the Air Force helicopter pilot and 2018 congressional candidate, is among 12 Democrats competing to take on Texas' senior senator, Republican John Cornyn. Full Story 

After uncertain filing period, Democratic U.S. Senate candidates seek to "get down to business"

by Patrick Svitek

A crowd of 12 Democrats are jockeying in a wide-open primary to take on Texas' senior Republican senator, John Cornyn. Full Story 

Beto O'Rourke repeats he's not running for Senate despite continued speculation

by Patrick Svitek and Abby Livingston

“Not running for senate,” O’Rourke told The Texas Tribune in a text message Thursday night, saying that nothing has changed regarding that decision. Full Story 

Analysis: This U.S. Senate race in Texas isn’t like the last one

by Ross Ramsey

Two years ago, nobody knew who Beto O'Rourke was. It turned out not to matter in a race with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. But the current race for Senate is different. Full Story 

Elizabeth Warren expands Texas campaign, naming senior staff

by Patrick Svitek

The Democratic presidential candidate now has easily the biggest organization devoted to the state of any primary campaign. Full Story 

Julián Castro missed the cutoff for the November debate. Now what?

by Alex Samuels

His campaign is suggesting that it no longer sees having a national platform as a must. Instead, it’s staking its hopes on a strong finish in Iowa, Nevada and Castro’s home state of Texas. Full Story 

Castro gets support of nine lawmakers who previously backed O'Rourke as he tries to shore up his campaign

by Patrick Svitek

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