Texas GOP poised to increase its majorities in the Legislature
Gov. Greg Abbott said the House would have enough Republicans to pass school vouchers next year. Full Story
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Renzo Downey is the lead writer of The Blast, The Texas Tribune’s premium politics newsletter. Prior to joining the Tribune in February 2023, he worked as a state government and politics reporter and a newsletter editor for Florida Politics. He was previously an intern on the state desk at the Austin American-Statesman. A San Francisco Bay Area native, Renzo received his bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from Northwestern University.
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![Lawmakers on the House floor during Sine Die of the 88th Texas Legislative Session, at the Capitol in Austin, on May 29, 2023.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Children in Texas state representative’s latest campaign ad aren’t hers
From our premium politics newsletter, The Blast: A new ad from Rep. Caroline Harris Davila raises eyebrows in what increasingly appears to be a competitive race. Full Story
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![A campaign ad for State Rep.Caroline Harris Davila, R-Round Rock.]()
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Colin Allred, Ted Cruz blast each other as “extreme,” throw jabs on border and abortion in Senate debate
The debate proved combative from start to finish, with Cruz and Allred trading barbs on nearly every issue that came up. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, left, and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, take part in a debate for the U.S. Senate hosted by WFAA on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, in Dallas, Texas.]()
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Does Dade Phelan have the votes to keep his job as Texas House speaker? It depends on how you count.
Phelan appears to lack support from the majority of House Republicans, but he could still win with some Democratic support. Full Story
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![The House floor at the Capitol on Sept. 23, 2021.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Republicans who want to oust Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan unanimously back state Rep. David Cook
Four GOP state representatives suspended their bids to challenge Phelan and 48 Republicans backed Cook, which could threaten Phelan’s shot at a third term. Full Story
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![State Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield, takes the oath of office with his hand on a bible on the first day of the 88th Texas legislative session on Jan 10, 2023.]()
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“It’s time for big change”: Texas Republicans seeking to oust Speaker Dade Phelan present united front
Reps. Tom Oliverson and Shelby Slawson, both members of House Republican leadership, became the first two candidates to challenge Phelan’s speakership. Full Story
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![State Reps. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, and Shelby Slawson, R-Stephenville, discuss the speaker of the Texas House position on a panel moderated by politics reporter Zach Despart at The Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Sept. 6, 2024.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Sheila Jackson Lee’s daughter files to finish out her mother’s term
Carter will run against two Republicans for her mother’s seat to hold for a few weeks before the winner of the general election takes over. Full Story
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![Erica Lee Carter, daughter of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is comforted by Houston City Council Member Tiffany D. Thomas in the Houston City Hall rotunda on Monday, July 29, 2024.]()
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In competitive South Texas legislative race, a fight emerges over a candidate’s Hispanic surname
The Bexar County GOP accused Democrat Kristian Carranza of using a Hispanic surname to appeal to the district’s largely Hispanic population. Full Story
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![Kristian Carranza speaks at the Lady Bird Breakfast during the Texas Democratic Convention in El Paso on June 8, 2024. Carranza is the Democratic candidate for state House District 118 in San Antonio.]()
Credit: Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribune -
Houston candidates pitching themselves to replace the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee on November ballot
At least three Democrats are considering bids for the Houston-area seat. But Texas Democratic officials — not voters — will decide who will be on the November ballot. Full Story
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![The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on April 15, 2022.]()
Credit: Shuran Huang for The Texas Tribune -
Texas’ DNC delegates vote 260-6 to back Kamala Harris
The delegates voted late Monday, a day after President Joe Biden exited the presidential race and endorsed Harris. Full Story
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![Signage is displayed during a walkthrough of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago on May 22, 2024.]()
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