Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Attorney General Ken Paxton are all heavy favorites to win their Republican primary races next week. Texas law allows them to give their campaign funds to other politicians in more precarious positions.
Texplainer
Welcome to The Texas Tribune’s “Texplainer” series, where we answer questions from readers like you.
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Guides
Here’s why so many Texas races go uncontested by major parties
Lack of interest, lack of money and lack of support can all contribute to a major party failing to put a candidate up for election in a given race — especially in heavily gerrymandered districts.
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Guides
Gun rights groups are powerful in Texas — but not because of money
The National Rifle Association contributed thousands of dollars to Texas politicians in recent years. But that’s not nearly enough to make it one of the most prolific political donors in the state.
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Texas Elections 2018
Everything you need to know about casting a ballot in the Texas primary elections
How do I know if I’m registered to vote? What am I voting on? How do runoffs work? We’ve got answers to the basic questions about how to cast a ballot in the March 6 Republican and Democratic primaries in Texas.
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Guides
Local taxes in Texas have been rising to help pay for education. Who is to blame?
Lawmakers say local property taxes are getting too high. School leaders say the taxes are increasing because the state is taking on a smaller share of public education funding. Hey Texplainer, what’s really happening?
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Guides
Here’s how Texans can get involved in their party conventions
Participants in party conventions set rules, elect leaders and set the platform. Party leaders say getting involved is easy.
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Guides
Campaign finance for dummies: A guide to Texas election reporting rules
We’ve compiled an overview of everything Texans should know about campaign finance reports and why they’re important.
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Guides
Here’s why it’s hard for Texans to get alcohol shipped directly to them
Texas liquor laws are infamously complex, and the reason dates back to the end of Prohibition.
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Guides
Hey, Texplainer: What would a government shutdown mean for Texas?
A shutdown is poised to take place unless Congress passes a new spending bill and President Donald Trump signs it into law by Jan. 19. That could mean closed parks, furloughed workers and the temporary closure of NASA in Texas.
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Guides
Hey, Texplainer: Could Texans receive a false alarm about a nuclear missile launch?
No, because the state has no warning system like Hawaii does.