The Fort Worth Democrat had filed to challenge GOP incumbent Tim O’Hare just before last week’s deadline to get on the 2026 ballot. His withdrawal gives Commissioner Alisa Simmons a clear path to the Democratic nomination.
Politics
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2026 Texas Elections
Trump’s pardon of Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar leaves local Republicans surprised and disappointed
Some county GOP officials said the president’s pardon could complicate their plans to unseat the Laredo Democrat in South Texas’ battleground 28th Congressional District.
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2026 Texas Elections
In North Texas, game of musical chairs culminates in primary between Democrats Colin Allred and Julie Johnson
The primary between predecessor and successor arose from a combination of redistricting and the entry of Rep. Jasmine Crockett into the U.S. Senate race, which prompted Allred to drop out.
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LGBTQ+ Texans
Enforcement of Texas’ “bathroom bill” draws challenges as colleges, cities implement new policies
In its first week, one group’s test of the new restrictions was met with ID checks at women’s restrooms at the Capitol while the Austin City Council moved to circumvent the law’s intent.
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2026 Texas Elections
Jasmine Crockett leads James Talarico by 8 points in Senate Democratic primary, new poll finds
Crockett had higher name recognition and an overwhelming edge among Black voters, while Talarico kept her margin to single digits through greater support among white and Latino voters.
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2026 Texas Elections
A Lubbock County commissioner announced his congressional campaign. Then he was removed from office.
Lubbock County Judge Curtis Parrish removed Commissioner Jason Corley from office this week, the latest twist in the Republicans’ fraught relationship.
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Congress
After Trump pardon, Rep. Henry Cuellar restored to homeland security funding post
After his corruption indictment last year, the Laredo Democrat forfeited his role as the top Democrat on the House Appropriations subcommittee that oversees more than $65 billion in annual spending.
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Politics
A national GOP push to exclude noncitizens from future redistricting could have big ramifications in Texas
Some Republicans only want citizens included in population counts used to draw political districts. In Texas, that raises important questions about power and representation.
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Higher Education
6 takeaways from our investigation into the ouster of Texas A&M’s president
Mark Welsh III’s two-year tenure as president of Texas A&M University was marked with political controversies.
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2026 Texas Elections
Gov. Greg Abbott wants a tighter lid on home values. Tax policy experts warn that’s a bad idea.
Conservative and liberal tax policy experts said Abbott’s proposal would lead to higher housing costs and tax benefits flowing disproportionately to wealthy homeowners.