Unfettered by impeachment inquiry, Trump energizes Dallas crowd as O’Rourke holds counter-rally
Both men also shared their respective spotlights with Texas politicians seeking offices down next year’s ballot. Full Story
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Alex Samuels
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Alex Samuels was a reporter for The Texas Tribune from 2017 to 2021. She helped with national campaign coverage, wrote stories about the intersection of race and politics in Texas, and covered the hottest political news bubbling out of local communities. She was also one of the primary authors of The Blast, the Tribune’s subscription-only daily newsletter for political insiders. Alex began at the Tribune as a fellow in 2016. She graduated in 2017 from the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Journalism. She originally is from Massachusetts and is the best pingpong player at the Tribune.
Past Contributions
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![President Donald Trump smiles during a campaign rally in Dallas on Oct. 17, 2019.]()
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Contender in Houston state House special election owed thousands in delinquent taxes
Michele Leal blamed a lien from the Internal Revenue Service on a "communication error." Full Story
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![Michele Leal is a Democratic candidate for state representative in HD 148, a Houston area district formerly held by retired state Rep. Jessica Farrar..]()
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Julián Castro raised $3.5 million in third quarter, but his cash on hand dipped to less than $700,000
The former San Antonio mayor was vastly out-raised by the Democratic frontrunners. Full Story
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![Presidential candidate Julian Castro speaks to the crowd during a rally at Warehouse Live on Monday, Sept. 9, 2019, in Houston.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Beto O’Rourke goes after Warren, spars with Buttigieg as he and Julián Castro fight for political survival
The two Texans vying for the Democratic presidential nomination initially got little attention during Tuesday’s debate before taking on opponents over taxes and gun control. Full Story
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![Democratic presidential candidate Beto O''Rourke speaks during the fourth U.S. Democratic presidential candidates debate in Westerville, Ohio on Oct. 15, 2019.]()
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“This is all confidential”: Key excerpts from secret recording of House Speaker Dennis Bonnen
In the hourlong conversation with Michael Quinn Sullivan, the leader of the Texas House is heard offering press credentials and asking for political support for challengers in the 2020 primaries. Full Story
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![House Speaker Dennis Bonnen adjourns sine die from the dais on May 27, 2019.]()
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Texas abruptly halts permitting process for new medical cannabis dispensaries
The application was expected to draw interest from a number of companies and, once approved, lead to more competitive pricing. Full Story
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![Michael Rubin, Director at Compassionate Cultivation, tends to home-grown medical cannabis in Austin that serves patients throughout Texas, on January 19, 2017.]()
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As its U.S. House members of color depart, Texas GOP grapples with its lack of diversity
Should Republicans actively recruit candidates of color? The party stands divided. Full Story
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![Texas Republican Convention attendees stand for the Pledge of Allegiance in Fort Worth in 2012.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott threatens to intervene in Austin’s “homelessness crisis”
Abbott’s office lamented reports of “violence, used needles, and feces littering the streets of Austin and endangering Texas residents.” Full Story
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![Tents set up near the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless, or ARCH, in downtown Austin on Aug. 2, 2019.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Julián Castro hit Joe Biden over Barack Obama’s immigration legacy. But in 2013, Castro supported Obama’s policies.
Castro hasn’t always been a liberal darling on border issues: In 2013, he gave a full-throated endorsement of the border and immigration policies advocated by Obama and touted the completion of enforcement measures that included fencing along the U.S-Mexico border. Full Story
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![Presidential candidate Julián Castro speaks to the crowd during a rally at Warehouse Live on Monday, Sept. 9, 2019, in Houston.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Julián Castro goes after Joe Biden during debate, questioning his memory and his commitment to Barack Obama’s legacy
The showdown early in the debate came after Biden criticized the "Medicare for All" health care plan touted by U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. Full Story
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![Former Housing Secretary Julian Castro and former Vice President Joe Biden at the 2020 Democratic U.S. presidential debate in Houston on Sept. 12, 2019.]()
Credit: Photos by REUTERS/Jonathan Bachman