John Cornyn is trying to fend off Ken Paxton. Both parties are picking attorney general nominees. And an oil and gas regulatory race has become uncharacteristically costly.
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
Rallies, ad blitzes and a Trump endorsement: inside the final days of the Cornyn-Paxton runoff
Nearly 14 months and $135 million later, Texas’ blockbuster Republican Senate primary will finally be decided Tuesday.
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Politics
In Democratic runoff, Reps. Al Green and Christian Menefee clash over influence of big money in politics
The clash embodies the tension for Democrats who rely on large fundraising hauls to remain competitive, even as they denounce the outsized political influence of corporate cash.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Texas’ GOP Senate runoff pits an old guard-backed institutionalist against a Trump-picked flamethrower
The GOP establishment has gone to bat for John Cornyn, touting the statesmanship and Washington know-how that make him a favorite of his colleagues and a pariah among Paxton’s base.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Trump endorses Ken Paxton in Senate GOP runoff
The development, coming partway through early voting, is a searing blow for John Cornyn, who finished first in the March runoff but was unable to convince Trump to endorse him.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Outside cash floods U.S House runoffs in Texas
PACs have accounted for 89% of ad spending in Texas’ congressional runoffs as crypto, AI and mystery groups flood the contests.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Immigration a flashpoint in Allred-Johnson Democratic runoff
Julie Johnson labels her opponent a “flip-flopper.” Colin Allred said previous votes reflected Rio Grande Valley frustration with Biden-era border policies.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Christian Menefee, Alex Mealer lead Houston-area congressional runoffs, new poll finds
The two contests are among the most closely watched U.S. House runoffs in Texas. Menefee, newly elected to Congress, faces longtime Democratic Rep. Al Green in a matchup spawned by GOP redistricting.
Posted in
Immigration
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar’s bipartisan immigration bill draws GOP support — and backlash
The latest version of the El Paso Democrat’s Dignity Act includes a key change to make it more palatable to Republicans. Some have gotten on board, but others are firmly opposed.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Texas’ 35th Congressional District primary runoffs: Who is running and what to know
Two Democrats and two Republicans advanced to May runoffs for the open San Antonio-area seat, which was drawn to favor the GOP yet is considered winnable for Democrats in a wave year.
