Texas GOP threatens House members who support Dustin Burrows in speaker race with attack mailers
This is the latest example of the Republican Party of Texas spending its resources attacking its own members. Full Story
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Robert Downen is a reporter covering democracy and the threats to it, including extremism, disinformation and conspiracies. Before joining the Tribune in 2022, he worked for five years at the Houston Chronicle. As a Hearst Media fellow, he developed what would become "Abuse of Faith," a landmark investigation into child sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention that prompted a Department of Justice investigation. Before coming to Texas, Robert was a business reporter in New York's capital region, and the managing editor of six newspapers in his home state of Illinois. He is a 2014 graduate of Eastern Illinois University.
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![State Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, holds a press conference in the Speaker's Committee Room, on Dec. 7, 2024, announcing he has the votes to become Speaker of the House in the upcoming legislative session.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
A new Texas GOP rule could alter the House speaker’s race — and ban some Republicans from appearing in primaries
Republicans who vote against party leaders’ preferred candidate could be barred from running in primaries. Lawsuits could follow. Full Story
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![Delegates wait to hand in their ballots after voting on platform priorities on the last day of the Texas GOP Convention in San Antonio on Saturday, May 25, 2024.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
Three Republicans keep their seats on Texas Supreme Court, despite efforts from pro-abortion groups
John Devine, Jane Bland and Jimmy Blacklock won their reelection bids over Democrat challengers backed by groups that support expanding abortion access. Full Story
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![All rise as The Supreme Court of Texas prepares to hear oral arguments on Senate Bill 14, a prohibition on gender affirming care for transgender youth, on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024.]()
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Election Day updates: South Texas continues dramatic shift toward Donald Trump, GOP
Texas might not be a swing state, but many of its races will have major consequences to the national political landscape and on the lives of everyday Texans. Full Story
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![Voters wait in line at the Houston Community College Southeast voting location in Houston on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024.]()
Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune -
These Texans could join or influence a second Trump administration
Donald Trump has built close ties to many Texas Republicans, from judges to elected officials to policy experts. Full Story
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![Former President Donald Trump speaks at a rally at Million Air in Austin, Texas on Oct. 25, 2024.]()
Credit: Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribune -
Colleagues condemn Tarrant County GOP leader for repeated use of slurs
It’s the latest backlash over Tarrant County GOP Chair Bo French’s online behavior. Full Story
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![Tarrant County Republican Party Chair Bo French.]()
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Texas Supreme Court justice’s oversight of trust belonging to millionaire with dementia raises ethics concerns
Despite objections from her family, John Devine oversees the trust of Elvie Kingston, a clear violation of Texas’ judicial ethics rules, experts said. His wife is also her legal guardian. Full Story
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![Texas Supreme Court Justice John Devine listens to Douglas Alexander make oral arguments in the cases Abbott v. City of San Antonio, Abbott v. Jenkins, and Abbott v. Harris County, Feb. 22. 2023 in Austin. The cases were consolidated for oral arguments, as they all concern whether an executive order barring local mask mandates falls within the scope of authority granted to the Governor under the Texas Disaster Act.]()
Credit: Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman via REUTERS -
In Texas’ biggest purple county, this far-right Republican is creating a playbook for local governing
From cutting social services to changing election rules, Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare has pushed his agenda with an uncompromising approach. Full Story
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![Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare listens to Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks after Brooks tells the attendees of the meeting that O’Hare “broke the system” in Fort Worth on April 18, 2023. Following a conversation between O’Hare and Elections Administrator Heider Garcia, Garcia announced his resignation. O’Hare denied responsibility, saying “I did not ask Heider to resign. I did not put pressure on Heider to resign. I did not threaten to fire Heider, I did not threaten to bring him before the election commission for review to determine if he would keep his employment. He chose to resign on his own.”]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Texas GOP investing in South Texas races as some Republicans worry about party's performance in November
Several local party officials have signed an open letter warning that “grave and deteriorating” fundraising and voter outreach efforts could leave some candidates vulnerable. Full Story
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![Newly elected Republican Party of Texas Vice-Chair D’rinda Randall, left, and Chair Abraham George and speak during the Texas GOP Convention Saturday, May 25, 2024 in San Antonio.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
Dan Patrick asks Senate to consider bills to unmask protesters, change runoff elections
The new list includes many right-wing priorities, and would escalate Republicans’ wars against diversity, equity and inclusion programs and review laws to keep noncitizens off voter rolls. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks during the Texas GOP Convention in San Antonio on May 23, 2024.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune