Beto O'Rourke raises $2 million in first 24 hours of launching gubernatorial campaign
O'Rourke faces an even more formidable fundraiser in Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. He had $55 million cash on hand at the end of June. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6ebd75ee3c84763cfb98383075939316/Beto%20at%20San%20Antonio%20CS%20TT%2005.jpg)
-
![Texas gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke speaks at a campaign rally in San Antonio on November 16, 2021.]()
Credit: Chris Stokes for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Different year, different race, different Beto
Sneaking up on a bruised Ted Cruz and almost winning the 2018 U.S. Senate race made Beto O’Rourke a big political name. But after that loss and a poor showing in the 2020 Democratic primary for president, the El Pasoan’s challenge to Gov. Greg Abbott is a different kind of contest. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bf5b4af02e1ef14b9c2768ffc52292d9/Beto%20at%20San%20Antonio%20CS%20TT%2050.jpg)
![Texas gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke speaks at a campagin rally in San Antonio on November 16, 2021.]()
Credit: Chris Stokes for The Texas Tribune -
How one grandmother fell into the health insurance gap — and why the Build Back Better plan could help cover Texans like her
At least 770,000 Texans are ineligible for both Medicaid and health insurance subsidies through the state-run marketplaces. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6c8440a079372d4ebb0799b1b0011e73/Perla%20Rosalez%20VC%20TT%2004.jpg)
![Perla Rosalez, 50, poses for a photo with the medication she began taking after she had COVID-19, at her home in Mercedes on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.]()
Credit: Verónica G. Cárdenas for The Texas Tribune -
Beto O’Rourke uses opening days of challenge against Gov. Greg Abbott to recalibrate
O’Rourke hit the campaign trail with a pitch narrowly focused on several issues that are largely popular with voters, leaving behind the more incendiary rhetoric from his presidential campaign. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ffa75169b0bf744ce91caacc6feb0e43/Beto%20at%20San%20Antonio%20CS%20TT%2032.jpg)
![Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke speaks to supporters at a meet and greet held in San Antonio on Nov. 16, 2021.]()
Credit: Chris Stokes for The Texas Tribune -
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. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a61e56f73adc03bc4d4d4f0069cdb72e/Beto%20Early%20Voting%20Rally%20IPA%20TT%2025.jpg)
![Beto O'Rourke's early voting rally in San Jacinto Plaza and walking through downtown to vote at the County Court House.Friday, March 2, 2018, in El Paso, Texas. Photo by Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for the Sun -
Michelle Beckley, one of the Texas House’s most liberal members, joins Democratic primary for lieutenant governor
The Carrollton Democrat hopes Beto O’Rourke’s run for governor will help down-ballot Democrats next year. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a67321fc9244c15de9e5e481034ba500/Beckley%20House%20Elections%20Committee%20JV%20TT%2015.jpg)
![House Elections Committee member state Rep. Michelle Beckley, D-Carrollton, listens to testimony from Rep. James White, R-Hillster, regarding HB 1708 on April 8, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
State Rep. Ryan Guillen switches to GOP in latest blow to South Texas Democrats
The Rio Grande City lawmaker was the least liberal Democrat in the Texas House this year, according to a political scientist’s rankings of lawmakers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d4caee1f4a60bd8659425fccf81c6925/House%20File%20April%2021%20EL%20TT%2010.jpg)
![State Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City, speaks on the phone on the House floor during a session at the Capitol on April 21, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Beto O’Rourke went after assault rifles in his run for president. Will that hurt him with gun-loving Texans?
“Hell yes, we’re going to take your AR-15, your AK-47,” O’Rourke said at a debate when he was running for president. Now he's running for governor and said he won't be backing down from the statement. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1b6058352452dbc1c66b4974356e70e4/Beto%20Guns%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
![Then-presidential candidate and former Texas Congressman Beto O'Rourke responds to a question during a forum held by gun safety organizations in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Oct. 2, 2019.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Steve Marcus -
Beto O’Rourke enters 2022 a weaker candidate with a harder race
O’Rourke joins the 2022 gubernatorial race as Texas’ best-known Democrat, but he carries considerably more baggage after a series of political failures, including his bids for U.S. Senate and president. This time, instead of riding a blue wave nationally, he’ll be fighting a red one. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/996665cae72c14a098a526a05791f98d/Beto%20March%2030%20Rally%20IPA%20TT%2015.jpg)
![Beto O'Rourke holds his first official 2020 presidential campaign rally in El Paso on March 30, 2019.]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
Beto O’Rourke says he’s running for Texas governor
O’Rourke’s decision to challenge Gov. Greg Abbott ends months of speculation and gives Democrats a formidable campaigner at the top of the ticket — someone who transformed Texas politics with his blockbuster campaign against U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0edbe7061a0679b56eb83b09a87bbb55/SB%207%20Voting%20Rally%20MM%20TT%2020.jpg)
![Former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-El Paso, speaks at “Texans Rally for Our Voting Rights” at the Texas Capitol in Austin on May 8, 2021.]()
Credit: Montinique Monroe for The Texas Tribune -
Tribcast: Parsing through Texas GOP officials’ hunt for “pornographic books” in public schools
In this week’s episode, James talks with Jolie and Patrick about Gov. Greg Abbott’s call for an investigation into books at public schools and the ramping up of the 2022 election season as candidate filing season begins. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a54b91575067de92123bcfa4336d8c02/TribCast%20Nov%2010%20TT.jpg)
![The library at Blanco Vista Elementary in San Marcos on Nov. 4, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Watch Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Andy Brown discuss what the pandemic has meant for local control in Travis County
Local officials will join Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith for an in-person discussion at 6 p.m. Nov. 17 in Austin. The conversation will also be available to view on demand starting Nov. 19. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/99bddb60366f667d14c351badf3706c5/TTEvents2021-BatchOPolitics-02-LeadArt-3000x2000-v1.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Democrat running for Texas agency that regulates the energy industry focusing his campaign on furor over power grid failure
Luke Warford, a 32-year-old former Texas Democratic Party staffer, is challenging Republican incumbent Wayne Christian for a seat on the Texas Railroad Commission. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d7151a8a52a9403204f7b2e753f7c10d/Luke%20Warford%20frame%20TT.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Courtesy of Luke Warford -
Analysis: Texas Republican lawmakers pleased most of their own voters, most of the time
They didn't make a majority of Texas voters happy on a single issue, but the Republican majority in the Legislature made most of their own voters happy — and then drew maps that minimize political threats to them in the November general election. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c491349a5b5ba3b394ef25ded4426906/Archer%20Co%20Early%20Voting%20ST%20TT%2011.jpg)
![Voters at the Alvord City Hall, an early voting site in Alvord on Oct. 28, 2020.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert exploring run against Attorney General Ken Paxton in increasingly crowded GOP primary
Land Commissioner George P. Bush, former Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman and state Rep. Matt Krause are also vying for the GOP nomination next year. Full Story
Credit: Doug Mills/Pool via REUTERS -
TribCast, special edition: Our pollsters analyze the latest UT/TT Poll on the 2022 candidates and issues
In this edition of TribCast, Ross talks to pollsters Joshua Blank, James Henson and Daron Shaw about the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll, focused on the 2022 elections and this year’s legislative issues. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c530e8cff49ac61c2bd5200fbf0ebf91/TribCast%20POLL%20Nov%209.jpg)
![Snow at the Capitol in Austin on Feb. 15, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Texas voters say the state and country are worse off than a year ago and heading in the wrong direction, UT/TT Poll finds
Thirty-eight percent of respondents said the state economy is doing worse than a year ago, further evidence that Texans are still feeling the pandemic’s consequences. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6f5721e39f2566308591f5fd7ce7dd91/UT-TT%20Mood%20TT.jpg)
![A view of the U.S. and Texas flags flying on the south side of the Texas Capitol from the Capitol Dome on Aug. 12, 2021.]()
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
Majority of Texans support COVID-19 vaccine and mask mandates, UT/TT poll says
Fifty-seven percent of voters support mask requirements in indoor public spaces based on local conditions, while 58% support mask requirements in public schools. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4299b86a26cafe20c692075e3be9063e/UT-TT%20Covid%20Poll%20TT.jpg)
![A woman receives dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at a clinic held in partnership between the Central Texas Food Bank and University of Texas in Austin on July 21, 2021.]()
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott tells state agencies to develop standards to block books with "overtly sexual" content in schools
Abbott targeted two books that have been removed by schools recently that center on LGBTQ characters. One of the books includes a graphic illustration and the other includes depictions of sex. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8c913a6ec0b0d61d0abfb64ea43127d2/Library%20File%20JV%20TT%2005.jpg)
![Shelves filled with books at a school library in San Marcos.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
More Texas voters unhappy than satisfied over power grid, abortion and property taxes, UT/TT Poll finds
Most voters approve of using state money to add border barriers between Texas and Mexico. But 57% disapprove of a new abortion law’s provision allowing lawsuits against people who help someone get the procedure. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/265c4ff42cabf6a3eb9050c325115a29/UT-TT%20Lege%20Issues%20TT.jpg)
![The main switchyard at Vistra Corp.’s Midlothian Power Plant on October 15, 2021. This is where the power produced at this plant is transformed into usable energy.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3dbd674a518409f4ca2feaf5027eb9ae/Gohmert%20Impeachment%20Hearing%20REUTERS%20TT)