The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
A three-judge panel peppered state lawyers with questions on Saturday that suggested they were having trouble swallowing the state’s defense of political maps that minority groups say minimize the political clout of Latino and black Texans. Full Story
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U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is pushing legislation to rename the street outside the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., after pro-democracy dissident Liu Xiaobo, a Nobel Peace Prize winner who died in Chinese custody on Thursday. Full Story
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As lawyers for Texas defended the state's political maps against charges of intentional discrimination, a lawmaker at the center of the case invoked "legislative privilege" Friday to avoid answering some questions. Full Story
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Before sign-waving supporters, Gov. Greg Abbott formally launched his re-election campaign Friday in San Antonio, days before he brings the Texas Legislature back for a special session. Full Story
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Democrats have some chances to pick up seats in the Texas House next year, with a dozen Republicans defending seats in politically wobbly districts. But watch those redistricting judges in San Antonio before you make any bets. Full Story
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U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso, posted a strong first fundraising quarter as a Senate candidate. Full Story
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Texas Democrats may not have a full statewide slate yet, but they are seeing early and intense interest in several congressional races. Full Story
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As part of a weeklong trial, the state's legal foes are turning their attention to lawmakers' actions in 2013 in an effort to finally resolve years-long litigation over Texas' political maps. Full Story
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It's true that three of the Republican incumbents in the Texas congressional delegation live in districts where Donald Trump lost, but unless judges change the state's political maps, two of those districts are still dominated by the GOP. Full Story
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Texans in Congress largely sidestepped questions Tuesday regarding the firestorm unleashed hours over emails that show Donald Trump Jr. eagerly accepting overtures from the Russian government. Full Story
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The outcome of a voting rights fight over Pasadena Hispanics' right to choose their city council members could reverberate beyond the city limits of this Houston suburb. Full Story
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As a part of a week-long court battle over the state's political maps, minority rights groups on Monday focused on the discriminatory impact of the Texas House map. Full Story
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Texas and its legal foes are back in court this week to hash out whether the state can hold the 2018 elections with its existing political maps. Full Story
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Winning some more seats in the congressional delegation or the Legislature would make Texas Democrats happy, but the real prize at stake in the state's redistricting legislation is federal oversight of the state's Republican mapmakers. Full Story
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U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, made his position clear on Friday: Russia is responsible for cyberattacks on Democrats in 2016 and President Trump should hold Putin accountable. Full Story
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Raising money for a politician for non-political purposes raises a question: Were the donors politically motivated, or just friends with a lot of cash on hand? Full Story
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U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is crisscrossing Texas at a critical time for both him and his party, with the GOP’s year-long push to scrap the health care law hanging in the balance. Full Story
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Paxton continues to raise big money despite the securities fraud case that has dogged him for nearly two years. Full Story
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Texas’ new voter identification law fully absolves the state from discriminating against minority voters in 2011, and courts should not take further action in a battle over the state’s old voter ID law, President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice argued in a legal filing. Full Story
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Decorated Air Force veteran MJ Hegar is hoping to flip a reliably Republican congressional district that includes one of the country's largest military bases. Full Story
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