Texas Democrats try to unify against GOP “extremism” as their own challenges and strife persist
The party faces internal tension over the Israel-Hamas war and Biden’s new immigration policy heading into November. Full Story
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![The first day of the Texas Democratic Convention in El Paso on June 6, 2024.]()
Credit: Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribune -
Henry Cuellar’s corruption trial delayed until after election
The Laredo Democrat faces allegations of bribery, money laundering and working on behalf of a foreign government. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, at a Get Out the Vote rally in San Antonio on May 4, 2022.]()
Credit: Chris Stokes for The Texas Tribune -
In Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, a push for more direct democracy
Ground Game Texas, a group that has pushed for progressive policies in cities across the state, is working to make it easier for McAllen residents to change local laws. Full Story
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![Karen Salazar, center, campaign manager for Ground Game Texas, and field organizers Elena Pacheco, left, and Jimena Rodriguez in a McAllen neighborhood on May 23, 2024. They were gathering signatures for a petition to amend the city charter to limit campaign contributions.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribune -
Brandon Herrera to request recount in primary runoff against U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales
Herrera said he doesn’t expect the results to change, “but I feel I owe it to my volunteers, voters, and supporters to leave no stone unturned.” Full Story
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![From left: U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, and his challenger in the GOP runoff, Brandon Herrera. Election Day is May 28.]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune -
Texas tells local election officials to stop releasing information that exposes how some people vote
The emergency guidance from the secretary of state comes after Votebeat and The Texas Tribune confirmed the choices some voters make can later be identified through legally available records. Full Story
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![A ballot is dropped in Austin in October, 2020.]()
Credit: Amna Ijaz/The Texas Tribune -
New Texas Democratic group hopes to pump millions into neglected party infrastructure
The new outfit is hoping that its long-term plan will eventually help Democrats become more competitive in statewide races. Full Story
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![Democratic signage, mugs, stickers, and buttons on display at the Travis County Democratic Party office in Austin on Oct. 8, 2019.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Travis County DA wants to overturn Abbott’s pardon of convicted murderer
Daniel Perry was pardoned more than a year after a jury convicted him of murdering police brutality demonstrator Garrett Foster in 2020. Full Story
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![Daniel Perry at his trial for the murder of Garrett Foster at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center in Austin on April 5, 2023.]()
Credit: Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via REUTERS -
After overlooking O’Rourke, national Democrats show early confidence in Allred
Six years after Beto O’Rourke nearly toppled Ted Cruz, Democrats outside Texas are expressing confidence in Colin Allred’s 2024 challenge. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, speaks at a U.S. Senate debate in Austin on Jan. 28, 2024. The Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention hosted the debate ahead of the March 5 primary elections.]()
Credit: Maria Crane/The Texas Tribune -
National Republicans target Henry Cuellar’s South Texas seat after indictment
The move is a shift in strategy for Republicans who previously focused on other South Texas races even after federal authorities filed criminal charges against the Democrat. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, at a Get Out the Vote rally in San Antonio on May 4, 2022.]()
Credit: Chris Stokes for The Texas Tribune -
Majority of incoming Texas House Republicans calls for end to Democratic committee chairs, narrowing path for Phelan
House Speaker Dade Phelan has stuck to the tradition of appointing chairs from the opposing party, drawing fierce pushback from the GOP’s right wing. Full Story
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![House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, gavels the House into session on the House floor during session at the state Capitol in Austin on April 11, 2023.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
How Texas Speaker Dade Phelan turned the tide to keep his seat
After coming in second in the primary, Phelan was at a disadvantage heading into the runoff. With record breaking cash infusions, Phelan blanketed airwaves and hired an army of campaign staffers. Full Story
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![Dade Phelan listens while being interviewed after declaring victory on May 28, 2024 at JW’s Patio in Beaumont, Texas.]()
Credit: Mark Felix for the Texas Tribunne -
Here’s how school vouchers, Paxton impeachment affected the Texas GOP primaries
Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton crusaded against House Republicans who voted against school vouchers and in favor of impeachment, respectively. Full Story
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![State Representatives and their families gather on the House floor on the opening day of the 88th Legislative Session at the state Capitol in Austin on Jan. 10, 2023.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
“A sham”: Texas Republicans defend Trump after guilty verdict
Republicans across the party’s political spectrum denounced Trump’s guilty verdict on 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records. Full Story
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![Former U.S. President Donald Trump sits at the defense table as the jury in his criminal trial is scheduled to continue deliberations at New York State Supreme Court in New York, New York on May 30, 2024. Trump was found guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign.]()
Credit: Justin Lane/Pool via REUTERS -
Texas education leaders unveil Bible-infused elementary school curriculum
The proposed curriculum overhaul was released a week after the Texas GOP proposed requiring the Bible to be taught in public schools. School districts that opt to use them will get more funding. Full Story
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![Mrs. Eden's fourth grade class practice reading tables during a lesson on April 24, 2024 at Jack Frost Elementary School in Georgetown.]()
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Frank McCourt, the billionaire bidding to buy U.S. part of TikTok, wants users to control their data
McCourt said tech companies have to become more democratic in a conversation with The Texas Tribune’s CEO. Full Story
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State Rep. Shelby Slawson says she’s running for House speaker in letter condemning Phelan
The announcement came two days after Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, narrowly survived a runoff challenge from the GOP’s hard right. Full Story
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![State Rep. Shelby Slawson, R-Stephenville, moves to final passage her bill that would ban abortion procedures at six weeks among other strict limitations, on May 6, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Top Texas election official acknowledges threats to ballot secrecy
Rules and practices meant to promote transparency also create vulnerabilities for voters, lawmakers were told. Full Story
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![Voters wait in line outside Cody Public Library in San Antonio during the evening hours of Election Day on Oct. 23, 2020.]()
Credit: Clint Datchuk for The Texas Tribune -
Texas runoff yields no clear winner among GOP’s warring factions, setting stage for power struggle
Neither of the Texas GOP’s dueling factions landed a clean knockout blow during a grueling primary season that only seemed to set up further chaos and strife. Full Story
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![State Rep. Greg Bonnen and his wife Kim Bonnen on the House floor during Sine Die, the last day of the 88th Texas Legislative Session, at the Capitol in Austin on May 29, 2023.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Here are the organizations that Ken Paxton targeted using consumer protection laws
Attorneys general have increasingly used their power to pursue investigations targeting organizations whose work conflicts with their political views. Paxton is among the most aggressive. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, left, has been using consumer protection laws to target organizations like Annunciation House, run by Ruben Garcia, right, whose work conflicts with Paxton’s political views. El Paso-based Annunciation House serves immigrants and refugees seeking shelter.]()
Credit: Photo illustration by ProPublica. Source photos: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune, Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
Molly Cook holds on to Houston-based Texas Senate seat in Democratic primary runoff
Cook was up 74 votes, according to unofficial results. Johnson has not conceded. Full Story
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![Molly Cook, an emergency room nurse, is running for Texas Senate District 15.]()
Credit: Molly Cook for Texas Senate