Texas Republicans Ask Obama, Congress for Zika Help
Texas' top Senate Republicans on Monday upped the urgency on federal policymakers to do something about the Zika virus. Full Story
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![Aedes aegypti mosquito]()
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Lt. Gov. Patrick Suggests Legislature Might Step In on Bathroom Guidelines
Declaring that "this fight is just beginning," Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Tuesday escalated his battle against guidelines in Texas and across the country that allow students to use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick addressed transgender bathroom rules during a news conference in Dallas on May 13, 2016.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
In Texas Senate Races, Hughes and Buckingham Win Republican Runoffs
Two new Republicans are poised to claim seats in the Texas Senate: Travis County eye surgeon Dawn Buckingham and state Rep. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola. Full Story
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![(L-R) State Rep. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, beat state Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, in the runoff for SD-1, while state Rep. Susan King, R-Abilene, lost to Dawn Buckingham in SD-24.]()
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Liveblog: 2016 Texas Primary Runoff Results
Throughout Tuesday night, Tribune reporters will keep you updated on the results of Texas' Republican and Democratic primary runoffs, from the first early voting totals through the last ballots counted. Full Story
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![Voters wait in line at the University of Texas Co-op to cast their ballots in the March 1, 2016 primary elections.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber -
Senators Vow to Tighten Emergency Leave Rules
Members of the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday vowed to "tighten it up" when it comes to granting emergency leave to state employees. Full Story
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![Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Bryan Hughes, David Simpson Vie for Senate
A mere 13 votes allowed state Rep. David Simpson to sneak into a runoff in the Republican primary campaign to fill Sen. Kevin Eltife's open seat. Now, he must try to catch fellow state Rep. Bryan Hughes. Full Story
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![State Reps. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, and David Simpson, R-Longview, competed in a runoff in the GOP race for Senate District 1.]()
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David Simpson Secures Runoff Spot in Senate Race By 13 Votes
Two state representatives are set to face off for an open position in the Texas senate after the third place candidate said Monday he will not request a recount. Full Story
![State Reps. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, and David Simpson, R-Longview, competed in a runoff in the GOP race for Senate District 1.]()
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Analysis: Low Voter Turnout in Texas Gets Obama's Attention
Perhaps it’s not in the best interests of the people now in office in Texas — whatever their party labels — to change the electoral setup that put them in office. Full Story
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![President Obama talked about civic engagement in a digital age during an interview with The Texas Tribune's Evan Smith at the South by Southwest Interactive festival on March 11, 2016.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich / Pool -
Analysis: Politics Wasn't at Play With Tax Hearing, Bettencourt Says
After questions about a special Senate committee hearing in San Antonio, and the appearance there of a challenger to House Speaker Joe Straus, state Sen. Paul Bettencourt makes a fairly strong case that there’s nothing to see here. Full Story
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![Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Analysis: Endorsements, Loyalties — and Getting Things Done
Endorsements seem harmless enough, but several state senators will have to eat some crow to get their legislation passed next year. They endorsed challengers to fellow legislators — and lost. Full Story
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![The three senators who sent the fewest bills to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk this session: Bob Hall, R-Edgwood (left), Konni Burton, R-Colleyville (middle) and Don Huffines, R-Dallas (right).]()
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How Much Texas Politicians Spent per Vote in 2016 Primaries
House Speaker Joe Straus spent $307 for every vote he got in Tuesday's primary election, leading the pack of state candidates. Here's a table detailing how much money selected state candidates spent for each vote they got. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Stuart Seeger -
Analysis: A Good Election Night to Be an Incumbent
For all of the talk and bluster about replacing the people in government with new folks, Texas voters on Tuesday were remarkably gentle with incumbents, giving nearly all of them a ticket to the general election in November. Full Story
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![Supporters wait for U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz to take the stage at the Redneck Country Club in Stafford, Texas on the evening of the Texas primary on Mar. 1, 2016.]()
Credit: Eric Kayne -
Liveblog: 2016 Texas Primary Results
Throughout the night, Tribune reporters will keep you updated on the results of Texas' Republican and Democratic primary battles, from the first early voting totals through the last ballots counted. Full Story
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![Travis County voters cast ballots at Travis County Tax Office on Feb. 25, 2016.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles -
UT/TT Poll: Foreign Terrorists the Greatest Threat to U.S., Texans Say
Foreign terrorist groups and illegal immigration are the greatest threats to the United States, according to voters surveyed for the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Emily Albracht -
Open Legislative Races Draw More than 70 Candidates
A slew of open seats in the Legislature means there will be at least 18 freshman lawmakers in the Capitol come January. Two thirds of the open seats are currently held by a Republican. Full Story
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![The March 1 primary ballot will feature 18 open seats in the Texas Legislature – two in the Senate and 16 in the House.]()
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Open Senate Seat Sparks Four-Way Race
With longtime state Sen. Kevin Eltife's retirement, four GOP candidates in Senate District 1 are racing to define themselves as conservative outsiders, including state Reps. Bryan Hughes and David Simpson. Full Story
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![Top Row: David Simpson and Bryan Hughes
Bottom Row: Major General James K. "Red" Brown Jr. and Mike Lee]()
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Senate Republicans Zero in on Religious Freedom Bills
The next Texas legislative session is almost a year away, but Senate Republicans are already zeroing in on proposals to bolster legal protections for religious opponents of same-sex marriage. Full Story
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![Sen. Joan Huffman, chair of the Senate Committee on State Affairs, listens to testimony on the affirmation of First Amendment liberty protections in Texas from invited witnesses on Feb. 17, 2016.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Martinez Fischer, Menéndez Meet Again
On major issues there's little daylight between San Antonio Democrats Trey Martinez Fischer and José Menéndez, but their rematch for a Texas Senate seat couldn't produce a greater divergence of styles. Full Story
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![State. Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer (l) and state Sen. José Menéndez]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles -
A Familiar Uresti-Madla Ballot In San Antonio
The upcoming face-off between state Sen. Carlos Uresti of San Antonio and Helen Madla, the widow of the senator Uresti defeated in 2006, flips the script on a storied battle between two prominent San Antonio families. Full Story
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![Democrats candidates Helen Madla, left, and incumbent Carlos I. Uresti, right, run in the 2016 election for Texas Senate District 4.]()
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Analysis: Is a Move From the Texas House to the Senate a Clear Promotion?
Moving from the Texas House to the Texas Senate makes sense, but not for every politician: One current candidate for Senate — and a potential future one — each has more clout in the House than he or she would have in the Senate. Full Story
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![State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, and state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio.]()