Texas Elections 2018

Early fundraising sums show several Texas Democrats are postured to launch formidable campaigns in the fall. Full Story 

Jonathan Jenkins wants an investigation into whether incumbent Republican Sen. Ted Cruz interfered with his campaign. Full Story 

Last month, Texas Republicans and Democrats approved the latest versions of their party platforms. A close look at these documents provides a snapshot of where the two parties stand on guns, gay rights, marijuana and other issues. Full Story 

Texas Democrats are finding their place in a quickly growing national debate over the usefulness of Immigration Customs and Enforcement — and whether it should be abolished. Full Story 

Republican Michael Cloud beat out eight other candidates to win the special election to fill former U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold's seat, sparing the GOP a runoff in the 27th District. Full Story 

The special election for the remainder of his term in the central Texas district will take place on Nov. 6, the next uniform election date. Full Story 

For Republicans, the U.S. Supreme Court vacancy represents an opportunity. For Democrats, it has inspired fear. And for the U.S. Senate race in Texas, it has already become a rallying cry. Full Story 

Nine candidates are vying to replace U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, who abruptly resigned in April amid sexual harassment allegations and an ongoing ethics investigation. Full Story 

The July 31 special election to replace state Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, who resigned Thursday, has attracted eight candidates. The list includes Uresti's brother, Tomas Uresti, a state representative who lost his re-election bid in the March primary. Full Story 

In less than a week, Democrat MJ Hegar's widely praised campaign video has many political insiders wondering if her long-shot campaign against U.S. Rep. John Carter has a chance at success. Full Story 

Texas Republicans in top races, led by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Gov. Greg Abbott, are running ahead of their Democratic challengers, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story 

Party delegates in Fort Worth also decided to back required paid sick leave for working Texans and oppose building a wall on the Texas-Mexico border. Many platform ideals contradict those of Republicans, who hold every statewide office and control both chambers of the Legislature. Full Story 

The family separations crisis quickly emerged as the top issue at the state Democratic biennial convention, fueling anger and enthusiasm as the minority party charges into a general election season determined to push back against Trump and his GOP allies in Texas. Full Story 

Jonathan Jenkins, a independent candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas, has drawn attention for the unusual setup of his campaign. But he missed the deadline Thursday to submit the more than 47,000 signatures he needed to qualify for the November ballot. Full Story 

Thousands will gather at the state GOP convention in San Antonio this week. Texas Democrats will meet in Fort Worth for their biennial meeting the following weekend. School shootings and the #MeToo movement are among the issues that could loom large at one or both events. Full Story 

Beto O'Rourke's grassroots campaign in 254 counties represents a major deviation from the political playbook employed by the majority of Texas Democrats over the last 20 years. Most campaigns concentrate on the state's major population centers. Full Story 

Cruz called O'Rourke a hypocrite for supporting taxing businesses for sales across state lines, pointing to a furniture store owned by O'Rourke's mother that was found guilty in 2010 of tax law violations. Full Story 

The state law that defines residency requirements is hard to enforce. Full Story 

After a mass shooting, state officials and candidates were drawn into a public discussion of what to do next. The Democratic candidate for governor, someone with actual law enforcement experience, has had a more muted response. Full Story 

The new poll comes about a month after the same firm called the race "too close to call." Full Story