Lubbock, the second most populous city in West Texas, has been a reliable Republican stronghold. Democrats, like Talarico, hope to close yawning gaps in rural areas that have kept them out of power.
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
Immigration
U.S. Supreme Court leaves in place limits on when deportation cases can be paused
The court declined to block a settlement between Texas and the Justice Department that effectively restricts when judges can use their discretion in how quickly immigration cases are resolved.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Greg Abbott, Gina Hinojosa each post biggest fundraising hauls yet in final leg of Texas governor’s race
The third-term GOP governor’s burst of fundraising and spending was especially notable, signaling how seriously he is taking the once-overlooked race.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Texas early voting rate is slightly behind 2018, when Beto O’Rourke challenged Ted Cruz
Democratic primary voters outpaced Republicans in the opening week of early voting — a result a GOP consultant called “new territory.”
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Dems hope to clinch the state by flipping Collin County, Paxton’s homebase and a longtime GOP bastion
Democrats’ chances hinge on finally winning a county that for years has been trending purple.
Posted in
Public Education
Frustration over school takeovers, vouchers could sway Texas voters in close governor’s race
As Democrat Gina Hinojosa focuses on “saving” public schools, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has emphasized property tax cuts in the final weeks of the campaign.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Ties to Trump, Biden loom large in key South Texas congressional race
Democrat Vicente Gonzalez and Republican Eric Flores square off in a U.S. House district redrawn to benefit the GOP.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
As South Texas Republicans brace for losses, Ryan Guillen’s career offers a possible roadmap back
The former Democrat’s reputation as an unflappable moderate stands in sharp contrast to the MAGA firebrands at the top of this year’s GOP ticket.
Posted in
Courts
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sues ChatGPT-maker OpenAI
CEO Sam Altman and ChatGPT are top competitors to Elon Musk, the tech billionaire fueling Paxton’s U.S. Senate campaign.
Posted in
Hill Country floods
Emergency weather alerts may be sent via satellite under new “Mystic Alerts Act”
Not everyone received cell alerts during the deadly flooding in 2025 in the Texas Hill Country. A new law is trying to fix that.