The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
New state Supreme Court Justice Jimmy Blacklock is the latest judge to face a familiar challenge in Texas: On the bench, he has to appear impartial. But to keep his seat, he has to win the approval of Texas' deep-red electorate. Full Story
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In crowded, competitive Republican primaries to replace two retiring congressmen, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is investing time, energy and political capital to help two of his former staffers join him in the Texas delegation. Full Story
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For the second time in a matter of months, a top legal adviser to Gov. Greg Abbott has been named to a prominent judicial post. Full Story
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Both sides revealed the outlines of their cases Monday in a federal court trial testing Texas' nearly 150-year-old system of statewide elections to the state's two highest courts. Full Story
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As the state's Republican Party faces a heated primary season, The Texas Tribune wants to hear from young conservatives about the present and future of their party. Full Story
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The Texas primaries are three weeks away. Between statewide races and those for seats in Congress and the Texas Legislature, there are 215 races on the 2018 Democratic and Republican primary ballots. Which ones are on my short list? Full Story
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U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is preparing Texas Republicans for a turbulent election year amid super-charged Democratic enthusiasm — including in his own re-election campaign. Full Story
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Watch video of our conversation with Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings. Full Story
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Powerful conservatives have taken several shots over the past few months at an educational advocacy group aiming to promote voting. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott is working to defeat three incumbent Republican House members who crossed him on ethics legislation during the regular session last year. If he doesn't win, they'll be back — with scores to settle. Full Story
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One of the two women running in the Democratic primary to unseat state Sen. Konni Burton backed Hillary Clinton in 2016. The other backed Bernie Sanders. Remnants of that divide from two years ago can be found in their current match-up. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott now has two spots to fill on the commission that oversees the Texas Department of Transportation at a time when he's drawing ire for blocking toll projects. Full Story
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How do I know if I’m registered to vote? What am I voting on? How do runoffs work? We've got answers to the basic questions about how to cast a ballot in the March 6 Republican and Democratic primaries in Texas. Full Story
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CJ Grisham, a candidate challenging state Rep. Hugh Shine in the Republican primary, wrote Facebook posts suggesting violent responses to excessive force by police. But Grisham told The Texas Tribune he would "take a bullet for good cops." Full Story
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Did Sen. Bob Hall's starring role in an ad "paid for by Texas Right to Life Committee, Inc." violate campaign finance law? Depends on who you ask. Full Story
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Watch the full video of our conversation in El Paso with Mayor Dee Margo, or check out our recap. Full Story
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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick spent almost a third of his cash on hand on television advertising in January. He also supported the primary opponent of a sitting Republican senator. Full Story
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is sparing no expense — or attack — as he works to unseat a fellow Republican, state Rep. Sarah Davis of West University Place. Full Story
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Participants in party conventions set rules, elect leaders and set the platform. Party leaders say getting involved is easy. Full Story
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It might deflate your confidence in the state of Texas to find that the people protecting your access to government information have their thumbs on the scale. That they’re playing favorites. That they put requests from their enemies on the slow track. Or that they advise the agencies who come to them for advice to act that way. Full Story
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