PACs have accounted for 89% of ad spending in Texas’ congressional runoffs as crypto, AI and mystery groups flood the contests.
Politics
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2026 Texas Elections
Cornyn and Paxton bury each other in negative ads as Senate GOP runoff enters final stretch
The incumbent senator and his allies have massively outspent the pro-Paxton side, though polling points to a tight finish in the May 26 election.
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2026 Texas Elections
Here are the megadonors and dark money groups boosting James Talarico’s anti-billionaire Senate bid
As the Austin Democrat campaigns against big money in politics, he is being supported by a super PAC bankrolled by several billionaires, as well as nonprofits that do not have to disclose their funders.
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Immigration
AG Ken Paxton demands Dallas County sheriff enter formal partnership with ICE
Sheriff Marian Brown said her office, which already cooperates with federal immigration authorities, has until Dec. 1 to act.
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Immigration
Parts of Texas immigration law are likely unconstitutional, federal judge signals
The law, which gives state law enforcement and judges a role in immigration enforcement, is set to go into effect in two days.
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Criminal Justice
Greg Abbott expands task force targeting repeat offenders from Houston to other large cities
The effort, which combines federal, state and local law enforcement, will expand to the Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio metro areas.
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Health care
Hours after statewide ban is reinstated, smokeable hemp is temporarily back on Texas shelves, court rules
After a dizzying string of court actions on smokeable hemp this week, Texas 15th Court of Appeals agreed to allow the sale of the drug until May 14.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
For Texas GOP, immigration politics show signs of fading potency
Texas voters have listed immigration and border security among their top issues for years, but recent polling found they are less of a priority than at any point in recent history.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Immigration a flashpoint in Allred-Johnson Democratic runoff
Julie Johnson labels her opponent a “flip-flopper.” Colin Allred said previous votes reflected Rio Grande Valley frustration with Biden-era border policies.
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Environment
Corpus Christi moves toward mandatory 25% cut in water use if emergency is declared
Final approval of the curtailment plan is expected at a future City Council meeting. Experts predict that, without significant rainfall, a water emergency could arrive by September.