Politics

Texas politics in 2019: Take a look at the top stories of the year

by Matthew Watkins

The first half of the year was marked by cooperation in the Texas Legislature. The second half was dominated by scandal. All the while, the specter of 2020 loomed. Full Story 

Michael Bloomberg revs up Texas campaign with big plans

by Alex Samuels and Patrick Svitek

The Democratic presidential candidate is staffing up in Texas and planning to open a Houston headquarters and 16 field offices. Full Story 

The best of the Tribune's storytelling with data and graphics in 2019

by Darla Cameron

The Tribune's data visuals team published more than 100 graphics about Texas politics and policy this year. Here's a look back at some of our favorites. Full Story 

Here’s your Texas 2020 March primary ballot

by Carla Astudillo

The Texas 2020 primary will take place on March 3. See the full list of candidates statewide, and find out who's on your ballot based on where you live. Full Story 

The Texas suburbs are slipping away from the GOP. These women for Trump want to win them back.

by Alex Samuels

Texas Republicans need women on their side if they’re going to keep the state red in 2020, but recent polls suggest President Donald Trump’s support among women is plummeting. Full Story 

Democratic primary to challenge Crenshaw gets 11th-hour shakeup

by Patrick Svitek

Shortly before the filing deadline last week, Sima Ladjevardian jumped in the race to unseat Crenshaw, scrambling Democrats' plans for the seat. Full Story 

How the Texas Legislature saved John Paul DeJoria $123 million

by Emma Platoff

The Texas billionaire wanted U.S. courts to throw out a hefty judgment won against him in Morocco. The law wasn’t on DeJoria’s side. So Texas legislators changed it. Full Story 

Individual mandate is unconstitutional, federal appellate court rules in Texas-led Affordable Care Act lawsuit

by Emma Platoff

A panel on the conservative-leaning U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals sent the lawsuit back to a district court in Texas to reassess how much of the Affordable Care Act can stand if the individual mandate must fall. Full Story 

The latest battle of the Alamo pits Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick against Land Commissioner George P. Bush

by Stacy Fernández

The feud began when Bush was incorrectly accused of trying to erect a statue of Mexican dictator Santa Anna at the Alamo site. Full Story 

An estimated 390,000 Texans might lose access to food stamps under new Trump policy

by Stacy Fernández

One of the proposed rule changes could make SNAP recipients ineligible if their vehicles are valued at more than $4,650. Full Story 

Waco judge sues state agency after receiving public warning for refusing to officiate same-sex marriages

by Emma Platoff

Dianne Hensley, who received a warning last month from the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, will be represented by First Liberty Institute, a high-profile religious liberty law firm with close ties to the Texas Attorney General's Office. Full Story 

What is the "boyfriend loophole?" Houston's police chief wants lawmakers to prevent abusive dating partners from buying guns.

by Stacy Fernández

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo made the remarks after one of his sergeants was killed while responding to a domestic violence incident. Full Story 

TribCast: Big new names enter Texas congressional races

by Emily Ramshaw and Michael Rey de Leon

On this week’s TribCast, Emily talks to Ross, Alexa, Patrick and Abby about some recognizable names in Texas congressional races, racist texts from a GOP county official and a leaked Republican Party memo. Full Story 

Ted Cruz backs debunked conspiracy theory that Ukraine meddled in 2016 election

by J. Edward Moreno

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz appeared on NBC's "Meet the Press" and advanced a debunked theory that Ukraine meddled in the 2016 election, despite information from State Department officials calling it a "fictional narrative." Full Story 

Pierce Bush announces bid for suburban Houston congressional seat

by Abby Livingston and Patrick Svitek

The grandson of the late President George H.W. Bush will enter an already crowded GOP primary for Texas' 22nd District. Full Story 

Top Texas Republicans pressure a county chair to resign over racist text

by Patrick Svitek

Yolanda Waters, the chairwoman for Galveston County's Republican party, is facing pressure from Gov. Greg Abbott, Land Commissioner George P. Bush and James Dickey, the state party chairman. Full Story 

Donald Trump's new, controversial homelessness czar has argued feeding homeless people enables them

by Davis Rich

Robert Marbut Jr. helped develop the Haven for Hope homeless shelter in San Antonio, which Gov. Greg Abbott praised as "probably the best template" for addressing homelessness. But aspects of Marbut's approach have been criticized as harsh and patronizing. Full Story 

Appointees claim Gov. Greg Abbott ousted them from board for voting to sanction judge who refused to perform same-sex marriages

by Emma Platoff

After those two appointees left the commission, it handed down just a warning to the judge, Dianne Hensley. Full Story 

TribCast: Rick Miller steps in it with comments on Asian opponents

by Emily Ramshaw and Michael Rey de Leon

On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Matthew, Emma and Alex about a state lawmaker who suggested his election opponents were running because they're Asian, and the latest on the presidential race in Texas. Full Story 

Tenth Talks: Watch four experts predict the future of media in Texas

by Emily Ramshaw and Michael Rey de Leon

In this edition of Tenth Talks, The Texas Tribune's yearlong video series on the next 10 years of Texas, four of the state’s top media innovators predict what’s in store for their industry. Full Story