Texas Elections 2018

Two Republicans, former Grimes County Judge Ben Leman and Bellville businesswoman Jill Wolfskill — plus one Democrat, Cecil Webster — are on the ballot Saturday to finish the term of ex-state Rep. Leighton Schubert, R-Caldwell, who resigned in February. Full Story 

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Lupe Valdez has agreed to debate her runoff opponent, Andrew White, on May 11 in Austin. Full Story 

State Rep. Eric Johnson, D-Dallas, filed Wednesday for speaker of the Texas House, making him the first Democrat to enter the race to succeed retiring House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio. Full Story 

"A debate in Spanish would not be very good because my Spanish isn’t good enough," U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz said at a campaign event Tuesday afternoon, "but I look forward to debating Congressman O’Rourke." Full Story 

"This weekend, I fell short," Valdez said in a lengthy statement. "A young woman asked me a question at a forum over the weekend regarding my track record, and she did not get the answer she deserved. I am sorry, and I understand why people are disappointed." Full Story 

Nine candidates have filed for the June 30 special election to finish former U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold's term, according to the secretary of state's office. The deadline was 5 p.m. Friday. Full Story 

A special election doesn't play out like normal elections. For starters, there are no primaries. Every candidate who files for the seat – regardless of party affiliation – will appear on one ballot. Full Story 

If you think Texas has lousy election turnout, you're right. But if you think the regular numbers are small, just wait and see what happens in the coming runoffs and special elections. Full Story 

In the Democratic primary runoff in Texas' 7th Congressional District, Laura Moser and Lizzie Pannill Fletcher discuss what propelled them to run for office and why they think they can unseat the 17-year Republican incumbent. They also show off their drawing skills. Full Story 

On this week's TribCast, Ross talked to Evan, Patrick, Alex and Democratic congressional candidate Dr. Christine Eady Mann about the upcoming runoffs, a hurried special election coming up, Texas redistricting litigation in the U.S. Supreme Court, and epilepsy patients' struggles to get medical cannabis oil. Full Story 

Tom Steyer, one of the biggest Democratic donors in the country, openly mulled spending on O'Rourke's behalf via his environmental super PAC, NextGen America. Full Story 

Republicans said the Democratic county chair never signed the candidates' ballot applications. Democrats called the suit a frivolous partisan attack. Full Story 

The November general elections are still ahead, but they won't by themselves determine all of the important spots in the Texas Legislature. Watch the empty chairs — they can be almost as important as the occupied ones. Full Story 

Gov. Greg Abbott is seeking guidance from Attorney General Ken Paxton on whether he can suspend certain laws he believes are standing in the way of a timely special election for the congressional seat recently vacated by Blake Farenthold. Full Story 

A new Quinnipiac University poll of Texas voters finds 47 percent support Cruz, the Republican incumbent, while 44 percent back O'Rourke, an El Paso Democrat. Full Story 

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz's campaign will report raising $3.2 million in the first three months of this year, less than half the $6.7 million his Democratic rival has said he will report for the period. Full Story 

The Wisconsin Republican's sweep across the state included public promotion of last year's income tax overhaul, private fundraising events and a three-day retreat on politics and policy in Austin. Full Story 

"While I planned on serving out the remainder of my term in Congress, I know in my heart it's time for me to move along and look for new ways to serve," the Corpus Christi Republican, who has been dogged by sexual harassment allegations, said in a statement. Full Story 

In a North Texas congressional district long represented by U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Dallas, Democrats Colin Allred and Lillian Salerno say their experience and know-how will help them flip the district. Full Story 

O'Rourke also said he doesn't want to repeal the Second Amendment, and that taxes are too low for corporations. Full Story