Texas Sens. Charles Schwertner, Borris Miles silent after new accusations of sexual harassment in report
A Texas Monthly article revealed fresh allegations of sexual harassment against two senators with a history of scandals. 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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![State Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, leaves the Travis County Jailhouse in Austin on Feb. 7, 2023. Schwertner was booked the previous night for dangerous driving while intoxicated.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Brandon Herrera to request recount in primary runoff against U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales
Herrera said he doesn’t expect the results to change, “but I feel I owe it to my volunteers, voters, and supporters to leave no stone unturned.” Full Story
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![From left: U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, and his challenger in the GOP runoff, Brandon Herrera. Election Day is May 28.]()
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Molly Cook holds on to Houston-based Texas Senate seat in Democratic primary runoff
Cook was up 74 votes, according to unofficial results. Johnson has not conceded. Full Story
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![Molly Cook, an emergency room nurse, is running for Texas Senate District 15.]()
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Brent Hagenbuch wins GOP primary runoff for open Texas Senate seat
Hagenbuch won the primary in a district vacated by former Sen. Drew Springer, R-Muenster. Full Story
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![Candidate for state Senate District 30 Brent Hagenbuch.]()
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Proposed Texas GOP platform calls for the Bible in schools, electoral changes that would lock Democrats out of statewide office
The platform was voted on Saturday, with tallies expected next week. Other planks call abortion homicide and gender-transition care “child abuse.” Full Story
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![Conventioneers listen to speeches during the Texas GOP Convention Friday, May 24, 2024 in San Antonio.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
Far-right favorite Abraham George elected to lead Texas GOP
George was backed by outgoing GOP chair Matt Rinaldi, who ushered in a Republican civil war and oversaw staffing cuts and drops in fundraising. Full Story
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![Texas GOP Party Chair candidate Abraham George delivers his candidate speech during the first general session of the convention in San Antonio, on May 23, 2024.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas GOP convention kicks off with party leaders attacking Speaker Dade Phelan
Phelan’s foe Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick urged Republicans to stop giving Democrats a say in the speaker election. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks at the 2024 Texas GOP Convention in San Antonio on May 23, 2024.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
False ad depicting Dade Phelan with Nancy Pelosi could inspire new anti-deepfake legislation
A mailer, paid for by the Jeff Yass-bankrolled Club for Growth Action PAC, falsely depicted Phelan in a hug with former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Full Story
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![House Speaker Dade Phelan stands at the dias during a special legislative session at the state capitol in Austin, Texas, on Nov. 17, 2023.]()
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Texas lawmakers and agency leaders experiment, ponder policies for an AI future
Agencies like the Texas Department of Transportation are using the technology to react to crashes and prepare invoices. More uses and regulations are coming. Full Story
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![Rush hour traffic passes by on Interstate 35 through downtown Austin on the evening of Sept. 7, 2023.]()
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Gun rights YouTuber Brandon Herrera gains momentum in race against U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales
Gonzales is taking heat from the right for his vote in support of the bipartisan gun safety bill passed after the Uvalde school shooting. Full Story
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![Brandon Herrera, Republican candidate for the US House for Texas’ 23rd congressional district, speaks during a campaign event at the Angry Elephant, a politically themed bar, March 14, 2024 in San Antonio.]()
Credit: Christopher Lee for The Texas Tribune