The Fort Worth Republican, one of the most hardline conservatives in the Texas House, had been floated for secretary of state in unconfirmed media reports ahead of his hire by the governor.
2026 elections
Posted in
State Government
Gov. Abbott appoints Don Huffines to be Texas comptroller
Huffines, a former Republican state senator, is seeking a full term as the state’s top financial officer. He previously primaried Abbott from the right and was among the most conservative lawmakers in Austin.
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2026 Texas Elections
From an indictment to an alleged affair, Ken Paxton’s controversies hang over his Senate bid
The attorney general has won statewide elections twice since his legal woes began. This time he will be at the top of the ticket, facing a fundraising juggernaut in James Talarico.
Posted in
Politics
At GOP convention, Abbott vows to “demolish” Democrats, calls for crackdown on H-1B visas and Sharia law
The governor sought to tie the minority party, and its U.S. Senate nominee, James Talarico, to “Bernie Sanders socialism” in a fresh look at his message for the fall midterms.
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State Government
Local Texas election officials await appointment of new secretary of state as midterm preparations ramp up
After Jane Nelson’s unexpected resignation, local election leaders worry her successor could complicate midterm election administration. Gov. Greg Abbott hasn’t yet named a replacement.
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Congress
Eight Senate Republicans broke ranks this week. John Cornyn, spurned by Trump in his primary, didn’t.
The Texas senator’s defeat to Ken Paxton sparked talk he’d join the “YOLO Caucus” of Republicans defecting from Donald Trump. This week, he sided with Senate GOP leadership on every key vote.
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2026 Texas Elections
Tala-freak-o vs. Ken the Criminal: Texas candidates sharpen attacks as U.S. Senate race locks in
Texas’ Ken Paxton and James Talarico focus their energies — and attack ads — on each other as the fight for U.S. Senate narrows to two.
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2026 Texas Elections
Colin Allred tops Julie Johnson in redistricting-driven runoff battle of Dallas Democrats
Johnson succeeded Allred in Congress, but Republican redistricting pushed them into an unusual primary confrontation for the 33rd Congressional District.
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2026 Texas Elections
Incumbent Rep. Hubert Vo defeated in Democratic runoff
Alief school board President Darlene Breaux defeated Vo, who spent more than two decades in the Texas House. Dallas state Rep. Venton Jones held off Amanda Richardson.
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2026 Texas Elections
Vikki Goodwin defeats Houston union leader in lieutenant governor Democratic runoff
The Austin lawmaker now faces an uphill battle against Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the state’s second-highest executive, in November.
