With high costs top of mind, GOP candidates in competitive races tested a tightrope act: Trump’s policies are helping, but Biden is still the culprit for your gas and grocery bills.
Politics
Stay informed with The Texas Tribune’s in-depth political coverage, including Texas elections, state government, policy debates, and the leaders shaping the future of the state.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
GOP convention closes with Trump, Vance talking Senate, Texas delegation blasting Dems
National Republicans branded their midterm convention as “Trumpapalooza,” with a clear goal of energizing GOP voters — and stocking their campaign coffers — during a difficult midterm environment.
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Health care
Texas judge: Alaskan surrogate does not have custody over child she birthed in Dallas
McKenna West has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, saying she does not trust that the biological parents have the child’s best interest at heart.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Jimmy Kimmel won’t air interview with James Talarico after threat from FCC
Kimmel was briefly suspended by ABC after the FCC threatened the network when he made a joke on air about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
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2026 Texas Elections
Who’s leading in Texas’ U.S. Senate race? We’re tracking poll results between Ken Paxton and James Talarico.
The latest survey has Talarico with a 5 point margin over Paxton. Most polls show Talarico with a slight advantage over Paxton.
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Health care
Ectopic pregnancy deaths have nearly doubled. It’s worse in states, like Texas, with abortion bans.
After Texas banned nearly all abortions, patients have struggled to get ectopic care. More than 300 patients here experienced substantial blood loss in 2023 and 2024, compared to 2018 and 2019.
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Health care
More than 200,000 Texans are waiting for Medicaid approval as enrollment declines
Outdated technology and stricter requirements for Medicaid and SNAP food assistance have made it harder for Texas to give timely approval to applications, state officials and advocates say.
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2026 Texas Elections
In reversal, James Talarico says he opposes trans athletes in girls’ sports “if it risks safety or fairness”
Talarico’s comments on Fox News came in contrast to positions he took in the Texas House opposing GOP restrictions on trans student-athletes.
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The 2026 Texas Tribune Festival
John Fetterman, Marjorie Taylor Greene to close and open TribFest
Two of American politics’ most unique and least predictable voices bookend our three days of live journalism.
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Criminal Justice
Texas prisons seek $298 million for air conditioning. That’s a fraction of what’s needed.
It would cost $1.5 billion to fully cool all prisons, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice estimates.
