Meet the new Texans in Congress
Five Texans were newly elected to Congress this year, four of whom are set to serve in January. Full Story
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![The U.S. Capitol surrounded by cherry blossoms on Monday, March 25, 2024 in Washington, D.C.]()
Credit: Maria Crane/The Texas Tribune -
Texas took center stage at the Democratic National Convention, but don’t call it a battleground state
Several Texans took the DNC stage to blast Republican policies and reach out to a younger generation. But the Harris campaign still doesn’t view Texas as a major target. Full Story
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![Texas delegate Sylvia Lagos wears a hat and 'Vote' earrings at the United Center, ahead of Day 3 of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, on August 21, 2024.]()
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Democratic State Rep. Julie Johnson wins congressional primary race for North Texas seat
Johnson narrowly avoided a runoff to replace U.S. Rep. Colin Allred. Brian Williams, who was in second place, has conceded. Full Story
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![Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Farmers Branch, speaks during the general caucus of the Texas Democratic Convention at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas on July 15, 2022.]()
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State Rep. Julie Johnson and trauma surgeon Brian Williams lead pack to succeed U.S. Rep. Colin Allred
As Allred vies to unseat U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, a crowded field of 10 Democrats is lining up to replace him. Full Story
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![Julie Johnson and Brian Williams are among the Democratic primary candidates vying to replace U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, in U.S. House Texas District 32.]()
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State Rep. Rhetta Bowers latest to join race for Colin Allred’s U.S. House seat
At least 10 other Democrats — including state Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Farmers Branch — are running for Allred’s solidly Democratic seat as he vies for U.S. Senate. Full Story
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![State Rep. Rhetta Andrews Bowers, D-Garland, speaks with colleagues in the House Chamber on March 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver/The Texas Tribune -
State Rep. Julie Johnson announces she is running for U.S. Rep. Colin Allred’s seat
Johnson, first elected to the Texas House in 2018, joins a crowded primary to succeed Allred, who is giving up his solidly Democratic seat to run against U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz next year. Full Story
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![State Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Carollton, speaks to the press in Austin to announce the new LGBTQ Caucus on Feb. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver/The Texas Tribune -
Effort to fix payroll error for state National Guard troops falls short in Texas Senate
The mistake meant about 7,400 soldiers sent to the Texas-Mexico border under Operation Lone Star were hit with higher-than-expected federal income taxes. Full Story
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![Members of the Texas National Guard work 12 to 13 hour shifts guarding the “Texas border wall,” construction crews and materials near Del Rio on Dec. 8, 2021. Thousands of National Guard troops were deployed to Del Rio after an increase in migration at the southern border.]()
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The Texas House has a record number of LGBTQ representatives as lawmakers face scores of bills focused on gender and sexuality
The Texas Legislature has nine lawmakers who are openly LGBTQ, all Democrats. At the same time, some Republican lawmakers are pushing a slate of bills aimed at drag queens, transgender children and how sexuality is discussed in schools. Full Story
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![Clockwise from top left: State Reps. Josey Garcia, D-San Antonio, Christian Manuel, D-Beaumont, Venton Jones, D-Dallas, and Jolanda Jones, D-Houston.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Two House Democrats who broke quorum missing from Washington, D.C., reportedly vacationing in Portugal
Their vacation does not affect the lack of quorum that the House has in Austin that prevents the chamber from passing an elections bill. But it is at odds with Democrats’ insistence that they would use their time away to advocate for federal voting rights legislation in the nation’s capital. Full Story
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![From left, Democratic state Reps. Julie Johnson and Jessica González.]()
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Texas House passes religious liberty bill amid LGBTQ Caucus' objections
What started as a sweeping religious refusals bill has been significantly watered down as it moves through the Texas Legislature. But LGBTQ advocates still fiercely oppose it, saying it perpetuates hateful rhetoric. Full Story
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![State Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Carrollton, speaks against Senate Bill 1978 on the House floor on May 20, 2019. Behind her, left to right: state Reps. Jessica González, D-Dallas, Mary González, D-Clint, Erin Zwiener, D-Driftwood, and former Rep. Celia Israel, D-Austin.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas LGBTQ Caucus marks major victory, killing bill they feared would hurt gay people
The LGBTQ Caucus, formed this year, notched a major victory Thursday evening, defeating a controversial measure as the Texas House raced toward a midnight deadline. Full Story
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![State Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Carrollton, speaks with a colleague in the House Chamber on March 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver/The Texas Tribune -
Pro-LGBTQ bills look dead in the Texas House, but advocates say they’ve still made progress this year
"Having a hearing is sometimes a victory," said state Rep. Celia Israel, D-Austin, whose conversion therapy ban was debated for the first time this year. Full Story
![State Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Carollton, speaks to the press in Austin to announce the new LGBTQ Caucus on Feb. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver/The Texas Tribune