If they win in November, Steve Toth and Brandon Herrera are poised to join the group known for its conservative absolutist approach and willingness to defy GOP leaders.
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
Rep. Dan Crenshaw says culture of misinformation fueled his primary loss: “The truth didn’t matter”
The fourth-term congressman, who lost decisively to state Rep. Steve Toth, said baseless attacks about his alleged insider trading and gun stances fueled the upset.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
How Jasmine Crockett slipped from Democratic frontrunner to decisive defeat in the Senate primary
Crockett embarked on her primary bid with a makeshift operation that lacked a campaign manager, a developed fundraising strategy and comprehensive infrastructure for a ground game.
Posted in
Environment
After years of gains, Republicans in Congress push to roll back chemical regulations
In Texas, environmental activists and experts raise the alarm about the potential impact on public health if the Toxic Substances Control Act is weakened.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Rep. Tony Gonzales drops reelection bid amid pressure over affair scandal
The San Antonio Republican was pushed into a runoff in the primary for his border district. Speaker Mike Johnson and other GOP members had called on him to exit the race.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Green, Menefee are headed for runoff in Houston clash of Democratic incumbents
Newly drawn political maps put the incumbents into the same congressional district.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Paxton says he’d consider dropping out of Senate runoff if Republicans pass voter ID bill
President Donald Trump, who was neutral in the first round, said he would endorse “soon” in the runoff between Paxton and GOP incumbent John Cornyn and would expect the candidate he did not endorse to drop out.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Who is Steve Toth, the outspoken state House hardliner who wiped out incumbent Dan Crenshaw?
The Texas state representative is part of a band of conservatives known for antagonizing Republican leadership and working to push the state further right.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
With Trump endorsement looming, Cornyn and Paxton prepare for “knife fight” in Senate runoff
The president could scramble the traditional assumptions about a runoff if he carries out his promise to make an endorsement “soon” and urge whoever he snubs to drop out.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Rep. Tony Gonzales, forced into runoff, admits to affair with aide who died by suicide
“I’ve asked God to forgive me, which he has,” the San Antonio Republican told a conservative radio host the day after he was forced into a primary runoff.