The Austin Democrat used the forum, absent rival Ken Paxton, to discuss policy and present himself as a moderate. Republicans cast those efforts as contrary to his record.
Congress
Read the latest Texas Tribune coverage of Congress, from the state’s lawmakers in Washington to key legislation and political debates shaping Texas and the nation.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
House Republicans pull $3 million reserved for ads against Henry Cuellar
The Laredo Democrat’s 28th District was one of five seats Republicans redrew last summer to flip to GOP control. But the new map has proven less ironclad than the party hoped.
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2026 Texas Elections
On the issues: A Q&A with U.S. Senate candidates James Talarico, Ken Paxton and Ted Brown
Ken Paxton and James Talarico are in a close race for Texas’ U.S. Senate seat, with Ted Brown also on the ballot. See where they stand on THC, data centers and Flock cameras. Talarico and Brown answered our questions; Paxton did not, so we used his past public statements to describe his positions.
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Politics
Trump slams Rep. Henry Cuellar for sticking with Democratic Party despite presidential pardon
Cuellar and his wife, charged with bribery, money laundering and conspiracy, were pardoned in December. In a social media post, Trump indicated he expected Cuellar to run as a Republican.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
These are the most competitive November races up and down Texas’ midterm ballot
Texas has an unusually large slate of competitive races for the state Legislature and U.S. House this year. Here’s our list of contests to watch.
Posted in
2024 Texas Elections
Texas Tribune voting guides: Who is on the ballot?
View and easily share in-depth voter guides by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit and nonpartisan news organization.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Texas congressional races 2026: Who is running and what to know about key U.S. House seats
The state’s six most competitive U.S. House contests include four redrawn seats Republicans hope to flip and two where they are playing defense. All are majority Hispanic.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Here’s how to register to vote in Texas before the Oct. 5 deadline
Here’s how to check your registration, see if you’re eligible to vote and how to register in advance of the Nov. 3, 2026 midterm elections for Texas’ U.S. Senator, governor and more.
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Congress
U.S. Senate passes Ted Cruz’s college sports bill that seeks to rein in NCAA “chaos”
The bill, which would regulate NIL deals and athlete revenue among other sweeping changes, now needs to clear the House. The lower chamber is out until after the midterms.
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Politics
Cuellar and progressives form tenuous alliance amid Trump’s immigration crackdown
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar is known as one of the most conservative Democrats in Congress who often diverges from the party on issues like immigration, abortion and gun rights.
