New Texas GOP chair Matt Rinaldi winning over critics of Allen West’s tumultuous era
Some party activists had worried Rinaldi would be more of the same after West left the chairmanship to challenge Gov. Greg Abbott earlier this summer. Full Story
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![Then-State Rep. Matt Rinaldi, R-Irving, on the House floor on May 23, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Former state Rep. Matt Rinaldi wins Texas GOP chair election
The State Republican Executive Committee met Sunday to pick a successor for Allen West, the chairman who resigned last month after a drama-filled tenure and is now running for governor. Full Story
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![Former state representative Matt Rinaldi spoke to demonstrators at the Governor’s Mansion in protest of Gov. Abbott’s executive orders to close businesses and mandate masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: A few Texas Republicans are singing the blues
It's not unusual for former opponents to turn around and endorse their party's candidates, or to go quiet in general elections — to say nothing at all. But it's unusual to endorse the other party's general election candidates. And yet, that's happening in several Texas races this year. Full Story
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Some Texas Republicans are endorsing Democrats. Is it "Texas over party" or sour grapes?
Two statewide officeholders are among the Republican incumbents who have seen former primary opponents take the unusual step of endorsing their Democratic challengers ahead of the midterm elections. Full Story
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![Top row: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Scott Milder and Mike Collier; middle row: Land Commissioner George P. Bush, Jerry Patterson and Miguel Suazo; bottom row: state Rep. Matt Rinaldi, Bennett Ratliff and Julie Johnson.]()
Credit: Photo illustration by John Jordan -
Democrats are turning Dallas into a midterm battleground for the Texas House
Democrats are running aggressively in the Dallas area to flip several Republican-held seats in the Texas House. Talk of a "blue wave" is only part of why they're optimistic. Full Story
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![Supporters of Democrat Julie Johnson look at the Texas House District 115 map before going out to canvass the area on August 18, 2018.]()
Credit: Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson for The Texas Tribune -
Looking at Greg Abbott's response to Santa Fe
In this edition of the TribCast, Texas Tribune political reporter Patrick Svitek sits down with CEO Evan Smith, executive editor Ross Ramsey and education reporter Aliyya Swaby. Full Story
Credit: Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Freedom Caucus sees opportunities to grow in 2018 GOP primaries
A year after the Texas Freedom Caucus first launched, the bloc of hardline conservatives in the Texas House is optimistic it will broaden its membership before state lawmakers head back to Austin in 2019. Full Story
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![The Texas Freedom Caucus on May 23, 2017 (back row, l-r): state Reps. Jonathan Stickland, Briscoe Cain, Matt Krause, Valoree Swanson, Mike Lang, Kyle Biedermann, Matt Rinaldi. (Front row, l-r): state Reps. Matt Shaheen, Matt Schaefer, Bill Zedler, Jeff Leach, Tony Tinderholt.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
New Texas law allows for armed volunteer security at churches
A state law put into effect in September made it legal for houses of worship to have armed volunteer security — but the law's author says many churches in Texas don't know it's an option. Full Story
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![U.S. Marshals speak with a DPS officer in Sutherland Springs after a mass shooting at the First Baptist Church there, on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017.]()
Credit: Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribune -
Even before House scuffle, Rinaldi's seat was a high 2018 target for Democrats
State Rep. Matt Rinaldi, who drew national attention as part of an incident on the Texas House floor in which he said he reported protesters to ICE, represents one of 10 Republican-held House districts that Hillary Clinton won last year. Full Story
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![State Rep. Matt Rinaldi, R-Irving, on the floor of the House after a scuffle with some members of the Hispanic Caucus on the last day of the 85th Legislature, on May 29, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Republican lawmaker: I called immigration authorities on Capitol protesters
On the last day of the regular session of the Texas Legislature, hundreds protested at the Capitol — and Republican state Rep. Matt Rinaldi called ICE on them. He also nearly came to blows with Democratic colleagues. Full Story
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![On the last day of the 85th legislative session, protesters opposed to Senate Bill 4 — the "sanctuary cities" law — fill up the rotunda of the state Capitol in Austin on May 29, 2017.]()
Credit: Julian Aguilar/The Texas Tribune -
Video: How Conservative Was the 84th Session?
Here's video of our "Really, How Conservative Was the 84th Session?" panel from Oct. 17 at The 2015 Texas Tribune Festival. Panelists included State Sens. Paul Bettencourt and Konni Burton and state Reps. Stephanie Klick, Matt Rinaldi and Jonathan Stickland. Full Story
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Video: New House Members on Immigration
At our 1/14 conversation, new state Reps. Celia Israel, D-Austin, Linda Koop, R-Dallas, and Matt Rinaldi, R-Irving, talked about border security, in-state tuition and other immigration-related topics. Full Story
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Video: New House Members on the Health Care
At our 1/14 conversation, new state Reps. Celia Israel, D-Austin, Linda Koop, R-Dallas, and Matt Rinaldi, R-Irving, talked about what the Lege is likely to do on health care. Full Story
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Video: New House Members on the Budget
At our 1/14 conversation, new state Reps. Celia Israel, D-Austin, Linda Koop, R-Dallas, and Matt Rinaldi, R-Irving, talked about the comptroller's revenue estimate and how they'll approach the task of passing a budget. Full Story
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Video: A Conversation With Three New House Members
Full video of my 1/14 conversation with three new members of the Texas House: Celia Israel, D-Austin; Linda Koop, R-Dallas; and Matt Rinaldi, R-Irving. Full Story
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Video: What the Tea Party Wants in the 84th Session
Here's video of our 84th Legislature preview session on what the Tea Party is seeking. Panelists included state Sens.-elect Paul Bettencourt and Konni Burton, state Rep. Jeff Leach, state Rep.-elect Matt Rinaldi and state Rep. Jonathan Stickland. Full Story
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