Presidential nominees have long skipped Texas. But Democrats, fresh off defeating Gov. Greg Abbott and winning the U.S. Senate race, are taking a second look.
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
Texas Legislature 2027
Texas’ new Democratic leaders turn to Republicans to steer transitions, vowing bipartisan governance
Gina Hinojosa, Vikki Goodwin and Senfronia Thompson tapped Republican politicians who clashed with Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick to help guide them into office in January.
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Economy
Bill filed to give every Texas household $1,500, a Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa campaign promise
The money would come from the state’s rainy day fund and be distributed by the end of next year.
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Criminal Justice
Texas appeals order requiring prison air conditioning, saying it puts operations at risk
TDCJ, which estimates climate control will cost $1.5 billion, said the federal judge’s order imposes “chaos and confusion” on the country’s largest prison system.
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2026 Texas Elections
Lt. Gov.-elect Vikki Goodwin taps bipartisan transition team as she prepares to lead a GOP-majority Senate
A week after unseating GOP incumbent Dan Patrick, the Austin Democrat announced a team that included Patrick’s former rivals on both sides of the aisle, along with several registered lobbyists.
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Health care
After Democratic wins, Texas could more closely review deaths related to the abortion ban
The state’s maternal mortality committee could provide one of the few windows into the impact of the state’s abortion ban.
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Immigration
Ken Paxton drops lawsuit seeking to shut down immigration aid group FIEL Houston
The Texas attorney general also ended his effort to dissolve Annunciation House, another immigrant-serving nonprofit, as he prepares to leave office in January.
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Courts
James Sullivan, recently defeated Texas Supreme Court justice, nominated to federal bench by Trump
The Republican jurist lost his seat on Texas’ highest civil court in last week’s Democratic wipeout.
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Immigration
After nearly three years, AG Ken Paxton drops fight to shut down El Paso migrant shelter network
Paxon sought to revoke Annunciation House’s nonprofit status, alleging that it was illegally smuggling in and harboring migrants.
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Politics
Report: Luxury hotels, air travel among U.S. Rep. Lance Gooden’s “extravagant spending”
The Office of Congressional Conduct also found that the Terrel Republican had discrepancies between his campaign account expenses and official election filings.
