The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Evan, Ross, Patrick and two special guests — state Rep. Celia Israel and former state Rep. Larry Gonzales — about the results of the Nov. 6 elections and what they mean for the future of Texas. Full Story
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In a wide-ranging conversation with Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith, Straus launched jabs at two fellow Republicans: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and President Donald Trump. He declined to weigh in on who should succeed him as the leader of the lower chamber. Full Story
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In the pilot episode of his new podcast, Point of Order, Evan Smith sits down with Speaker Straus the morning after the midterms to talk everything from the balance of power in the Texas House to President Trump's tweets. Full Story
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Tuesday's elections fired up more Texas voters than any midterm in a generation. Turnout even eclipsed the 2000 presidential race in which Texans helped put George W. Bush — one of their own — in the White House. Full Story
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It was the closest a Democrat came to toppling a Republican incumbent U.S. senator since 1978. And while O'Rourke beat Cruz in some traditional GOP strongholds, it wasn't enough to overcome rural Texas counties and some suburbs that remain fiercely loyal to Cruz. Full Story
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Texas Republicans had a tough election this year, losing more seats than expected and winning statewide races by much thinner margins than normal. Blame the president. Full Story
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Stockman — who served two nonconsecutive terms in the U.S. House of Representatives — was convicted in April of 23 felonies, including fraud and money laundering. Full Story
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Tuesday, Texas voters decided who represents the state in the first national election of the Donald Trump era. See the results in the U.S. Senate contest, statewide races for governor and more — and find out who won where you live. Full Story
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Ortiz Jones has not called for a recount, but says she wants to see all provisional, absentee and military votes counted. Full Story
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Republicans still hold the majority of congressional seats in the state, but Democratic gains in Texas are helping the national party as it appears poised to gain control of the U.S. House. Full Story
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Historic turnout, unusually tight races and a "blue wave" that didn't quite break. Full Story
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Republicans won every statewide office in Texas, as they have in every election for the past 20 years. But Democrats are taking heart in their narrow losing margins. Full Story
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Led by female candidates, Texas Democrats picked up 12 Texas House seats from Republicans, mostly in North Texas. But Republicans still have the edge in the lower chamber. Full Story
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Burton and Huffines were two of three Republican senators in districts where more voters backed Democrat Hillary Clinton over Republican Donald Trump in 2016 or where the president had a narrow winning margin. Full Story
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It was a tighter race than the Republicans or the Democrats initially expected, but in the end, Ted Cruz won another six years in the U.S. Senate over Democrat Beto O'Rourke. Full Story
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U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, defeated U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso, after an intense campaign battle that drew national attention. Full Story
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State Sen. Sylvia Garcia of Houston and former El Paso County Judge Veronica Escobar will be the first Latinas to represent Texas in Congress. Full Story
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Abbott easily bested his Democratic opponent, Lupe Valdez. Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Attorney General Ken Paxton and Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller faced rare single-digit contests before eventually besting Democratic challengers. Full Story
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The Houston-area race was among the most competitive U.S. House races in Texas. Full Story
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The race between Cruz and O'Rourke emerged as one of the hottest in the country, with Democrats hopeful that O'Rourke could break the Texas GOP's iron grip on statewide offices. Full Story
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