Texas Politics: Elections, State Government, Policy, and Leaders

José Avila and his sons, Jeremiah (left) and Issac (middle), attend service at their Houston church in June. José is a devout Christian, finding solace in his faith while his wife was detained.

A Houston mother held by ICE must choose: indefinite detention or be deported without her family

By Uriel J. García, Graphics by Alex Ford, Graphics by Edison Wu and Photos by Lexi ParraSept. 8, 2025

Margarita Avila, a Houston mother of nine, was detained by ICE after an altercation that led to no charges. Her close-knit family weigh their futures if she is deported.

Texas Rep. James Talarico D-Austin speaks during a redistricting rally at Delco Activity Center on July 25, 2025 in Austin.

2026 Texas Elections

Texas Rep. James Talarico to launch Democratic primary bid for U.S. Senate

By Kayla Guo and Eleanor KlibanoffSept. 5, 2025

The Austin Democrat has made a name for himself with his viral social media presence. His entry to the race pits him against former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred in the increasingly crowded primary.

Republican Party of Texas Vice-Chair D’rinda Randall, left, and Chair Abraham George speak during the Texas GOP Convention on May 25, 2024, in San Antonio. The Texas GOP on Thursday sued Secretary of State Jane Nelson to restrict primaries to only voters registered with the party.

Politics

Texas Republican Party sues state to end open primaries

By Ayden RunnelsSept. 4, 2025Sept. 5, 2025

Currently, any Texas voter can cast a ballot in GOP primaries. The party wants to limit eligibility to registered members.

Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, walks up the House steps for the vote on the budget resolution in the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, April 10, 2025

2026 Texas Elections

Powerful GOP fundraising group calls Rep. Wesley Hunt’s speculative Senate bid a wasteful “vanity project”

By Marijke FriedmanSept. 5, 2025

In a memo, the National Republican Senate Committee asked Hunt’s donors to tell him to stop wasting resources and endorse Sen. John Cornyn’s reelection.

U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud gives remarks at a Port of Corpus Christi event celebrating the completion of a ship channel improvement project on June 2, 2025.

2026 Texas Elections

Texas Republicans in Congress scaled back town halls during summer recess amid criticism over Trump megabill

By Marijke FriedmanSept. 5, 2025

Some who did host public events were interrupted by protesters and heckled for their support of President Donald Trump and his signature legislation.

THC products sit near the cash register in Hyde Park Market in Austin on May 5, 2025.

Economy

Retailers relieved that Texas skirted a THC ban — again

By Paul Cobler and Alex NguyenSept. 5, 2025

While Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick remains adamant about a ban, hemp industry representatives say they would compromise on creating a 21 age limit to purchase.

State Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, on the Senate floor on the second-to-the-last day of the 89th legislative session on June 1, 2025.

Higher Education

State Sen. Brandon Creighton will be Texas Tech’s next chancellor

By Jessica PriestAug. 31, 2025Sept. 4, 2025

The Conroe Republican has authored some of Texas’ major higher education legislation in recent years. He will take over as chancellor once he resigns from the Texas Senate.

Mateo Cardona, 4, receives a vaccine at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston on June 28, 2022.

Health care

Texas launches downloadable form to exempt kids from school-required vaccines

By Terri LangfordSept. 4, 2025

Previously, parents had to wait for the state to mail them the exemption form. They still have to get the form notarized before submitting it to the school for enrollment purposes.