Texas 2022 Elections

Latest coverage

• Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick calls for new election in Harris County after voting problems in November

  By James Barragán Feb. 6, 2023

  A spokesperson for the secretary of state’s office said only a court order could force a redo of elections. Full Story 

• GOP Harris County judge candidate contesting her loss after Election Day problems at polling sites

  By Patrick Svitek and Pooja Salhotra Updated: Jan. 6, 2023

  Democratic County Judge Lina Hidalgo beat Republican Alexandra del Moral Mealer by more than 18,000 votes. An assessment of Election Day problems at polling sites “has not yet revealed” whether any voters were turned away. Full Story 

• Almost two months after Election Day, Harris County still doesn’t know if polling site problems kept people from voting

  By Natalia Contreras, Votebeat and The Texas Tribune Dec. 30, 2022

  Some sites opened late and reportedly ran out of paper in November, but the county says its investigation into the issues “has not yet revealed” whether anyone was turned away. Full Story 

• Critics are pouncing on Harris County’s election fumbles, real and concocted, to fuel legal challenges

  By Natalia Contreras, Votebeat and The Texas Tribune Dec. 9, 2022

  In the latest fallout from Election Day woes, a GOP judicial candidate is suing to overturn her loss, citing unspecified data and “2,000 reports” of polling place problems. Full Story 

• Losing Republican candidate wants Texas House to void results of his race

  By Alexa Ura Updated: Dec. 2, 2022

  Mike May, who lost to Houston state Rep. Jon Rosenthal by 6,000 votes, wants the Texas House to order a new election. State law allows such an appeal, but the House hasn’t approved one in more than 40 years. Full Story 

• Republican requests recount after loss in battleground race for state Senate seat in South Texas

  By Patrick Svitek Updated: Nov. 30, 2022

  Adam Hinojosa finished 659 votes behind Democrat Morgan LaMantia in a race that garnered 175,415 total votes. Full Story 

• Beto O’Rourke returned $1 million check from FTX’s Sam Bankman-Fried

  By James Barragán Nov. 29, 2022

  O’Rourke’s campaign said they gave the money back before the company’s scandals became widely public, because they were taken aback by such a large unsolicited donation. Full Story 

• Texas Supreme Court orders Harris County to include more than 2,000 late-cast ballots in certified election results

  By Natalia Contreras, Votebeat and The Texas Tribune, and Roxanna Asgarian and Robert Downen, The Texas Tribune Updated: Nov. 22, 2022

  After a last-minute challenge from the attorney general, county commissioners agreed to certify those provisional votes in time for the canvassing deadline. Full Story 

• Texas attorney general attempts to toss out late-cast Harris County votes

  By Jesus Vidales Nov. 21, 2022

  A court ordered Harris County to keep its polls open late on Election Day, but Attorney General Ken Paxton is asking the state Supreme Court to not allow ballots cast after normal deadline to count. Full Story 

• Here’s why we still don’t know what went wrong in Harris County on Election Day

  By Natalia Contreras, Votebeat and The Texas Tribune Nov. 18, 2022

  The state’s biggest county has no central system for tracking problems, so it still can’t say how many polling places opened late, ran out of paper or worked just fine. Full Story 

• “I’ll still be sharing Lexi’s story”: Mother of Uvalde victim vows to remain politically engaged

  By Jinitzail Hernández Nov. 18, 2022

  Some parents and family of the students killed at Robb Elementary in May campaigned for Democrats. They were hoping for stricter gun control laws in Texas. Full Story 

• What Greg Abbott’s decisive win over Beto O’Rourke portends for his future

  By Patrick Svitek Nov. 17, 2022

  After defeating O’Rourke — Texas’ most promising Democrat in recent history — Abbott begins his third term in a strong position, with a rising national profile and a governing mandate in the eyes of fellow Republicans. Full Story 

• Meet the seven new Texans in Congress

  By Matthew Choi Nov. 16, 2022

  Texas’ seven freshly elected members of Congress run the ideological gamut, from impassioned conservatives to some of the most progressive members ever sent from Texas. Full Story 

• As Trump announces his run, Cruz and Cornyn signal openness to other GOP presidential candidates

  By Stephen Neukam Updated: Nov. 15, 2022

  Republican support for Trump has faltered after a midterm performance by the party that many considered a resounding disappointment. Full Story 

• Harris County’s election missteps fuel GOP lawsuit and calls for investigation

  By Alexa Ura Updated: Nov. 16, 2022

  Scattered paper ballot shortages and late openings of polling places were among the glitches that prompted calls for scrutiny from statewide Republican officials. Full Story 

• Kevin McCarthy elected House GOP leader over objections from Chip Roy, Michael Cloud and other hard-liners

  By Matthew Choi Updated: Nov. 15, 2022

  The California Republican still needs at least 218 votes to become House speaker. That vote will be on Jan. 3. Full Story 

• Monica De La Cruz is the first Republican to represent Texas’ 15th Congressional District. What will she do with it?

  By Matthew Choi Nov. 15, 2022

  After finally flipping the Democratic district, Monica De La Cruz vowed to “represent all of South Texas” and likely will be influential on border issues. Full Story 

• Beto O’Rourke’s campaign reflects on failed governor race

  By Patrick Svitek Nov. 14, 2022

  In a press call Monday, O’Rourke’s team reflected on its failures during the election, but said Gov. Greg Abbott had the advantage with his ability to attract media attention and rely on” established narratives” that historically favor Republicans. Full Story 

• How this Texas elections official keeps the peace with right-wing voting activists

  By Natalia Contreras, Votebeat and The Texas Tribune Nov. 14, 2022

  In the face of their suspicions and threats, Tarrant County Elections Administrator Heider Garcia didn’t fight back. He welcomed them in and listened. Full Story 

• Texas Democrats admit to faltering on messaging and voter turnout, contributing to resounding midterm losses

  By James Barragán and Patrick Svitek Nov. 11, 2022

  Beto O’Rourke lost by double-digits on Tuesday night and so did every other statewide Democrat. That has left Democrats in a familiar position: wounded after a disappointing election night while contemplating their strategy and their future. Full Story