The lieutenant governor’s office is one of the most powerful in Texas government, and the 2026 race features a Democratic runoff between Vikki Goodwin and Marcos Velez.
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.
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Immigration
Egyptian family of six who have spent 10 months in Dilley’s controversial detention center freed
The family had been detained since June after the father was arrested and charged with attacking mostly Jewish protesters at a Colorado event.
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Criminal Justice
Houston City Council approves gutting policy limiting ICE cooperation, civil rights groups say
In contrast to the civil rights groups’ assessment, Houston’s city attorney told council members that the amendment — crafted by the mayor’s staff and the governor’s office — brings no major changes.
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2026 Texas Elections
After Virginia’s referendum, the Texas-ignited redistricting war is looking like a wash
Most Texas Republicans remained supportive of their state’s redraw even as their gains have been wiped out by California and Virginia.
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TribCast
TribCast: Greg Abbott battles cities over working with ICE
TribCast takes a deeper look at Gov. Greg Abbott’s battle with Houston, Dallas and Austin over the cities’ relationship with federal immigration enforcement.
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2026 Texas Elections
Top Democratic PAC books $22 million in ads, Republican counterpart reserves $14 million for U.S. House seats in South Texas
House Majority PAC is targeting five majority-Hispanic seats, including the 23rd Congressional District, which was recently vacated by Republican Tony Gonzales. The top Republican group is spending $13.9 million on two seats.
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2026 Texas Elections
Texas AG runoff: Democrats Jaworski and Johnson on Trump battles, legal strategy, and office priorities
In this updated Q&A, we asked Joe Jaworski and Nathan Johnson where they stand on the agency’s key issues as they seek a chance to reclaim the office that has become a GOP legal powerhouse.
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Health care
Texas’ foster care system is more likely to move children away from their communities
In 2025, one in three children placed in foster care was sent to a different region, sometimes hundreds of miles away, a Texas Tribune analysis of state data shows.
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2026 Texas Elections
Texas Republican candidate suspended by Kalshi for betting on his own election
Zeke Enriquez, who ran in the GOP primary for Texas’ 21st Congressional District, was fined and barred from the prediction market platform for five years. Two candidates in other states were suspended for the same offense.
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Higher Education
Baylor University defies conservative reputation by hosting opposing political events
Baylor’s move to allow Turning Point USA’s tour stop on campus Wednesday, along with a rally featuring LGBTQ+ speakers is being called a win for diverse viewpoints by some.
