The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
Extended by a week because of the pandemic, early voting has been marked by extraordinary turnout, long, socially distanced lines and masked voters. Our photographers have fanned out across the state to capture Texans as they cast their ballots. Full Story
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Democrats argue the high court's pandemic-related decisions show GOP incumbents should be unseated in November. Republicans say the virus is another argument for sticking with the status quo. Full Story
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Thompson would be the first woman elected speaker. She filed less than two weeks before an election in which Democrats hope to gain control of the chamber. Full Story
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The Harris County judge’s order reverses a decision that the state’s top lawyer should not face a jury in the North Texas region where he and his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, are deeply connected in political circles. Full Story
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Experts are predicting that as many as 12 million people could vote in Texas this year. Full Story
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Two were fired and two placed on leave — moves employment attorneys say will likely spark a whistleblower lawsuit. A spokesperson for Paxton said the personnel changes were not related to the whistleblower allegations. Full Story
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In debating a major Texas industry, Trump emphasized economic priorities while Biden advocated for alternate means of energy besides oil and gas. Full Story
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Hegar also expanded her cash-on-hand advantage in the U.S. Senate race in Texas. Full Story
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Blake Brickman and Lacey Mase, two whistleblowers who accused their boss of crimes including bribery and abuse of office, were both fired Tuesday. Full Story
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Polling locations are one of Abbott’s 11 exemptions to his statewide mask mandate that went into effect July 3. Abbott said at the time that the exemption is meant to prevent people from being turned away at the polls just because they don’t have a mask, though he has also recommended that people wear them. Full Story
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In this week's episode, Matthew speaks with Alex, Cassi and Patrick about the state of politics in Texas less than two weeks before Election Day. Full Story
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Texas' two senators are among the 12 Republicans who participated in the Supreme Court confirmation hearing for Barrett. A vote by the full Senate is scheduled for Monday. Full Story
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Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial or ethnic voting group in the country, according to the Pew Research Center. And in Texas, there are sizable Asian American communities in key districts. Full Story
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In a move of confidence that Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Lizzie Pannill Fletcher will be reelected, a national PAC is redirecting ad spending from that district to a nearby open seat currently held by a Republican. Full Story
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Candidates from both parties are bringing up everything from school funding to lemonade stands in the final weeks of a heated contest for control of the state’s lower chamber. Full Story
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The departure "was not voluntary," said Lacey Mase, one of several senior aides who said Attorney General Ken Paxton used his office to serve the interests of a donor. Full Story
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Ian Prior, a Republican operative who promoted the story for the Texas attorney general's campaign, denied that the campaign had paid the Southeast Texas Record to publish it. “Definitive no,” he said. Full Story
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Attorney General Ken Paxton said the multibillion-dollar company engaged in anti-competitive and exclusionary practices that eliminate competition for internet searches and search advertising. Full Story
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The group, Forward Majority, says it's increasing its expenditures in response to major spending from Republican-affiliated groups. Full Story
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The census does not include an option for people to identify as Middle Eastern or North African Americans. That leaves Arab Texans to identify as white or “other” on the all-important national count. Full Story
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