Asian and Pacific Islander populations surged in Texas over the past decade, but their political power is weakened under new congressional maps. A northwest Houston neighborhood offers a case study in how that was done.
Demographics
Explore population trends, diversity, and data shaping Texas communities, politics, and policy.
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Texas 2022 Elections
Texas Democrats rely on voters of color to be competitive. So why are their top statewide candidates mostly white?
The GOP slate for statewide office includes two high-profile Latinos and two Black candidates who have previously held state or federal office. Republicans are making a play to be more competitive with voters of color as the state’s electorate grows more diverse.
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Texas 2022 Elections
Among El Pasoans, Beto O’Rourke’s gubernatorial run excites loyal fans and revives longtime grudges
El Pasoans who have followed O’Rourke’s political career are excited about his run for governor. But his critics still remember his support of a development plan that could have displaced Mexican American residents from one of the city’s oldest barrios.
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Demographics
Texans John Cornyn and Ted Cruz join GOP senators to block voting rights bill that would have protected voters of color
In a final push to secure federal voting rights legislation this year, congressional Democrats failed to secure the necessary votes to avoid a GOP filibuster on the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
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Redistricting Texas
Texas’ new House map challenged in state court, expanding redistricting fight
The Mexican American Legislative Caucus is arguing that the new state House map violates the Texas Constitution. The lawsuit follows two legal challenges to the state’s new maps previously filed in federal court.
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Redistricting Texas
Analysis: Texas legislators aren’t ready to take self-interest out of redistricting
In Texas, the Legislature draws political maps — with results that predictably favor the party in power. Do independent commissions do any better?
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Criminal Justice
Central Texas faith leaders and politicians rebuke antisemitic incidents after fire outside Austin synagogue
Austin fire officials said they’re investigating a Sunday incident that caused about $25,000 in damage as a potential arson.
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Demographics
Fetal “heartbeat” bill, which could ban abortions at six weeks, nears passage in the Legislature
Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, has signaled that he is looking forward to signing the bill.
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Redistricting Texas
Analysis: With grades like these for political maps, Texas won’t be making the honor roll
The new political maps drawn by Texas Republicans have run into some criticism from academics studying gerrymandering. That puts the Texans in the same boat with Illinois Democrats.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Restrictions on transgender student athletes’ participation in school sports signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott
House Bill 25 will require student athletes who compete in interscholastic competition to play on sports teams that correspond with the sex listed on their birth certificate at or near their time of birth.