2014 elections

Analysis: A 2020 holiday fantasy for Texas officeholders looking to 2022

by Ross Ramsey

Big election campaigns take years to mount. So some politicians aren't thinking about the 2020 elections. They're dreaming and planning for 2022. Full Story 

Is Texas really going purple? Our Heat Index will show how competitive your district is.

by Shiying Cheng and Ross Ramsey

Is Texas really a swing state? To explore the question, we looked at nearly 20 years of election data to assess the competitiveness of every congressional and legislative district in the state. Take a tour of some of the state's hot spots and then type in your address to find out the lay of the land in your districts. Full Story 

Texas saw the nation's sixth-highest voter turnout increase, but still lagged behind most other states

by Elbert Wang

Voter turnout in the 2018 Texas midterm elections increased by 18 percentage points compared with the previous midterms, according to data from the United States Elections Project. Full Story 

Texas' largest counties have nearly doubled voter turnout so far compared to 2014

by Matt Zdun

Soon, more Texans will have voted early in 2018 than in all of 2014’s early voting period, according to data from the secretary of state’s office. Full Story 

Wendy Davis, Battleground Texas sanctioned for delayed campaign disclosures in 2014

by Ross Ramsey

Citing "a somewhat complicated and novel fundraising operation not explicitly contemplated by Texas law," the Texas Ethics Commission fined Battleground Texas and Wendy Davis' gubernatorial campaign $3,000 each for late disclosures in 2014. Full Story 

Former U.S. Rep. Stockman charged with violating federal election law

by Patrick Svitek

Former U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman, R-Texas, has been charged with violating federal election law. Full Story 

Abbott Will Pick Susan Hawk's Replacement as Dallas County DA

by Elena Mejia Lutz and Nicole Cobler

After struggling with mental illness, including three admissions at psychiatric treatment centers, Republican Susan Hawk stepped down from her position as Dallas County District Attorney on Tuesday. Full Story 

Democrats' Alliance with Battleground Texas Shows Strains Ahead of Elections

by Jamie Lovegrove

While many Democrats have mixed feelings about the group that helped lead the party's election efforts in 2014, Battleground Texas officials still believe in their long-term strategy to turn Texas blue. Full Story 

Analysis: With a Week to Go, the Most Important Fights Are Over

by Ross Ramsey

With one week left in this legislative session, hundreds of bills are still pending. But if legislative action ended right now, there would be little reason for Gov. Greg Abbott to call lawmakers back for overtime. Full Story 

Menéndez to Senate; Three Claim House Seats

by Ryan McCrimmon

Four more seats in the Legislature are finally decided, with José Menéndez romping to win San Antonio's Senate seat. Two Republicans and a Democrat are headed for the House. Full Story 

Four Legislative Seats Up for Grabs in Runoffs

by Ryan McCrimmon

A round of Capitol musical chairs will play out on Tuesday when voters decide who will fill three seats in the Texas House and one in the Senate. Full Story 

Three Special Election Runoffs to Be Decided Feb. 17

by Bobby Blanchard

UPDATED: Gov. Greg Abbott announced Friday that Feb. 17 will be the runoff date for three special elections — Senate District 26, House District 17 and House District 123. Early voting will be Feb. 9-13. Full Story 

Roundup: Same-Sex Marriage, Abortion and Elections

by Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha

This week in the Roundup: The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals weighs in on two Texas cases — one on the state's same-sex marriage ban and another on a provision of the state's new abortion law. Also, three special legislative elections result in runoffs. Full Story 

SD-26 Runoff: Cakewalk or Showdown?

by John Reynolds

A large group of Republican voters came out in the first round. Will they come back, and could they tip the scales in favor of the runner-up in the second round? Full Story 

Santa Perry Gives the Gift of Three Special Elections

by John Reynolds

Also, freshman Hurd scores a rare subcommittee chairmanship, and Empower Texans will factor the speaker vote in its legislative scorecard. Full Story 

The Calendar

by Texas Weekly

Key meetings and events for the coming week. Full Story 

More Statewides Are Staffing Up

by John Reynolds

Greg Abbott is not the only newly elected statewide official to release a long list of staffing hires this week. Full Story 

Video: A Conversation with Three Incoming Senators

by Evan Smith

Full video of my 12/11 conversation with three incoming members of the Texas Senate: Konni Burton, R-Colleyville, Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, and Van Taylor, R-Plano. Full Story 

The Calendar

by Texas Weekly

Key meetings and events for the coming week. Full Story 

Terry Keel Lands a New Job ... at Ag Department

by John Reynolds

In other news, TMF plans a splashy Senate campaign kickoff, and a name surfaces in the special election to succeed Tim Kleinschmidt. Full Story