The latest survey has Talarico leading by six points. Most polls show Talarico with a slight advantage over Paxton.
Politics
Stay informed with The Texas Tribune’s in-depth political coverage, including Texas elections, state government, policy debates, and the leaders shaping the future of the state.
Posted in
Higher Education
Texas should establish three-year bachelor’s degree options, Gov. Greg Abbott says
Abbott, who is seeking reelection, wants recommendations on how to implement shortened programs to ease student costs and meet workforce needs.
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2026 Texas Elections
GOP nominee for San Antonio House seat apologizes for “crude and immature” social media posts
Jorge Borrego said he has matured since the years when he used homophobic slurs and racist tropes, and referenced cocaine use, in a series of social media posts that bubbled up this week.
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Health care
California couple confront their surrogate in a Texas court as dispute over newborn escalates
The attorney for the couple’s surrogate McKenna West said in court she should be the mother of the newborn. The biological parents have a restraining order against West.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Talarico campaign asks court to unseal Paxton’s depositions in energy investing dispute
The petition, to be filed in Collin County, seeks the transcripts from two rounds of testimony Paxton gave as part of a legal clash that entangled his financial adviser and former business associates.
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State Government
A new Texas law declaws neighborhood groups that oppose housing projects
Lawmakers gutted an old state law that required a city council supermajority to approve a new housing development if neighbors petitioned the proposal.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Tracking the money raised and spent in the U.S. Senate race between James Talarico and Ken Paxton
See the latest fundraising totals, where the money is coming from and how super PACs are spending in what’s poised to be Texas’ most expensive Senate race.
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Courts
Shawn Thierry, who broke with Democrats over trans issues, appointed Harris County district judge
The former Houston legislator left the Democratic Party over its stance on gender-transitioning care for minors, and is now embraced by Republicans.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Cornered by Big Bend backlash, Texas Republicans tread carefully around Trump
Most of the state’s GOP leaders have hedged on the White House’s plans for the region, welcoming a construction pause without breaking from a president they’re loath to cross.
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Energy
Industry warns of blackouts, economic woes if Texas overreacts to data center, transmission line anger
Energy regulators and industry experts warn that the state’s delays to major projects amid backlash from residents could create rolling blackouts and strangle growth of other industries that need power.
