U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt are finding ways onto stages in front of young conservatives galvanized by Charlie Kirk’s killing.
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.
How the Texas GOP’s bid to block lawmakers from the ballot defies a century of court precedent
The Texas GOP will vote Saturday to possibly bar some state legislators from running in the 2026 primary, despite repeated Texas Supreme Court rulings saying they cannot.
Paxton sides with Texas GOP, against secretary of state in lawsuit seeking to close primaries
Secretary of State Jane Nelson said in a filing that Paxton’s office gave her less than an hour’s warning that they’d be siding against her agency in court.
AG Ken Paxton announces undercover investigations of ‘leftist terror cells’
Paxton cited the recent attack on a Dallas immigration field office, though the shooter’s political affiliation was unclear and there was no evidence he was linked to organized “cells.”
Texas GOP to consider blocking lawmakers from 2026 primary ballot in first test of new censure rule
The state party’s governing board will meet Saturday to decide whether 10 Texas House Republicans tried to thwart GOP priorities during this year’s legislative session.
Texas National Guard can stay in Illinois but can’t activate, court says. Here’s what to know about the unit.
The troops were sent to the midwest after protests over the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement sometimes escalated into violent clashes.
TribCast: Texas’ congressional map goes to court
While a three-judge panel hears a legal challenge to Texas’ new congressional map, TribCast breaks down the arguments.
Greg Abbott authorizes Trump to deploy Texas National Guard to other states
The governor posted a photo Monday showing guardsmen deploying but did not mention a destination. Trump called for troops to deploy to Illinois and Oregon, where a judge temporarily blocked their arrival.
The stage is set: Our full 2025 Texas Tribune Festival lineup is here
Tim Walz, Carol Alvarado, Vicente Fox, Ruth Simmons, Bill Kristol and Christine Brennan join our biggest TribFest yet, for can’t miss conversations about Texas, our nation and the world
$68 million COVID-era federal funding loss and other potential cuts threaten Texas opioid fight
In addition to the cuts, local nonprofits are also having problems accessing federal help for opioid reversal medication, such as Narcan.



