Craig Goldman wins GOP runoff in outgoing U.S. Rep. Kay Granger’s district
The high-stakes race pitted an established Republican lawmaker against a right-wing candidate who had Attorney General Ken Paxton’s backing. Full Story
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Robert Downen was 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. Craig Goldman speaks on the “Wowtown” panel moderated by Abby Livingston at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2022 in Austin.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Navy veteran Jay Furman will face indicted U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar in South Texas congressional race
Furman won the Republican nomination in a runoff against Lazaro Garza. Cuellar’s criminal charges have suddenly made it a high-profile race. Full Story
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![Henry Cuellar celebrates his victory with his daughter Catherine and wife Imelda Cuellar at an election night party in Laredo on Nov. 8, 2022.]()
Credit: Jessica Rodriguez for The Texas Tribune -
At Texas GOP convention, Republicans call for spiritual warfare
At the three-day convention, delegates moved the needle further to the right, preaching Christian nationalism and approving rules that would give them unprecedented control of elections. Full Story
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![Scenes from the Texas GOP Convention in San Antonio, Texas on May 24, 2024.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
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.]()
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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 -
“The house is on fire”: Texas GOP plots its next chapter amid civil war, depleted staff, funding drops
Under outgoing chair Matt Rinaldi, the party’s donor base has shrunk as it aligns with two far-right megadonors. Full Story
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![Republican Party of Texas Chairman Matt Rinaldi gives voting directives during the 5th General Meeting of the 2022 Texas State Republican Convention on June 18, 2022.]()
Credit: Briana Vargas for The Texas Tribune -
Travis County GOP Chair Matt Mackowiak announces run to lead state Republican Party
The political consultant joins a crowded field to replace outgoing Chair Matt Rinaldi when party delegates meet next week. Full Story
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![Matt Mackowiak in Austin on Sept. 20, 2018.]()
Credit: John Jordan/The Texas Tribune -
Dade Phelan directs House leaders to revisit vouchers, property taxes in the next legislative session
The Beaumont Republican issued his interim charges even as it remains unclear whether he’ll be reelected. Full Story
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![House Speaker Dade Phelan speaks with other representatives during a special legislative session at the state capitol in Austin on Nov. 17, 2023.]()
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Faculty petition to hold no-confidence vote in UT-Austin president after protest response
President Jay Hartzell defended the response but faculty criticized the presence of armed state troopers. Fifty-seven people were arrested. Full Story
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![Protesters link arms on the campus of UT-Austin on April 24, 2024.]()
Credit: Julius Shieh for The Texas Tribune -
Far-right activist Jonathan Stickland starts new group, months after white supremacist scandal
The former lawmaker registered “RaTmasTeR Holdings” along with Texas GOP Chair Matt Rinaldi. The name is a nod to Stickland’s alias as an infamous internet troll. Full Story
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![State Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, on the House floor on May 21, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune