The announcement comes after weeks of speculation that another Texan — Energy Secretary Rick Perry — might land the post.
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.
Census citizenship question, March for Our Lives, Tillerson for UT chancellor? (podcast)
Republican congressional candidate Chip Roy joins the TribCast crew to discuss his upcoming runoff. Plus, we tackle the 2020 census, the March for Our Lives protests and whether Rex Tillerson could be the University of Texas System’s next chancellor.
Former congressman Pete Gallego forms campaign to replace Texas state Sen. Carlos Uresti
Another prominent Democrat has announced plans to run for Senate District 19, a San Antonio-based seat currently held by a longtime state lawmaker recently convicted of 11 felonies.
Texas high school students bring together Ted Cruz, Joaquin Castro for “Day of Unity” event
An event organized by Houston-area high schoolers and aimed at promoting bipartisanship drew some of the state’s most well-known partisans, including Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, a Democrat, and the chairs of both state parties.
How Donald Trump’s border wall fared in the $1.3 trillion spending bill he just signed
“We funded the initial down payment of $1.6 billion,” Trump said of border wall funding Friday. “We’re going to be starting work – literally – on Monday on not only some new wall … but also fixing existing walls.”
Trump signs $1.3 trillion spending bill despite veto threat over DACA, border wall funding
President Donald Trump reversed course hours after threatening to veto a must-pass spending bill because it did nothing to address the fate of young undocumented immigrants and did not fully fund his border wall.
Congress passes $1.3 trillion spending bill that includes some border wall funding
The massive spending bill Congress passed Thursday includes $1.6 billion allocated for a border wall but fell far short of the Trump administration’s demands, and Democrats were able to exact significant restrictions on the wall’s construction.
Texas Republicans warn Trump against firing Mueller
Leaders in the U.S. Senate, including one of the two senators from Texas, have spent the past two days issuing a warning to President Donald Trump: Do not fire special counsel Robert Mueller.
Report: Blake Farenthold contemplates resigning from Congress
U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Corpus Christi, previously announced his retirement in December following renewed sexual harassment accusations against his office.
More than 30 Texas primary races are headed to a runoff. Here’s what you need to know.
If no candidate in a primary election receives a majority of the vote, the top two vote-getters go head-to-head in a runoff. Here’s everything you need to know about how they work and how to vote.


