Politics

In Houston congressional district, Republicans see a chance to boost party diversity and reflip a seat

by Abby Livingston

U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher won Texas' 7th Congressional District for the Democrats in 2018. Republicans are vying for a chance to win it back. Full Story 

Analysis: Voters elect Texas' judges. The state might take that power — but it's risky.

by Ross Ramsey

Even the Texas lawmakers who want to change the way the state selects judges are wary of taking that power away from voters. The politics are more difficult, in some ways, than the proposed policy changes. Full Story 

"The farmers are sticking with Trump": President Trump touts new trade deal during Austin speech

by Sami Sparber

The president also exuded confidence that Texas will remain in Republican hands in 2020, despite some political watchers suggesting it's more purple than it has been in years. Full Story 

Texan Ken Starr joins Donald Trump’s impeachment defense team

by Naomi Andu

Starr was president of Baylor University during a time when the school was rocked by sexual assault scandals. Full Story 

Analysis: A seasonal change in Texas politics, as November trumps March

by Ross Ramsey

For a long time, the party primary elections in Texas have been more competitive than the general elections in November. Not anymore. Full Story 

Watch: A conversation with Amanda Edwards, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate

by Texas Tribune Events Staff

We sat down with Amanda Edwards, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, in a conversation moderated by The Texas Tribune's Evan Smith. Full Story 

TribCast: Refugee ban, hemp fiasco and another Planned Parenthood fight

by Alexa Ura and Michael Rey de Leon

On this week’s TribCast, Alexa talks to Matthew, Jolie and Emma about the governor’s decision to opt out of the federal refugee resettlement program, the state’s hemp legalization fiasco and the latest in the Texas vs. Planned Parenthood fight. Full Story 

Advocates have long tried to change judicial selection in Texas. Is Dan Patrick their newest obstacle?

by Emma Platoff

A new commission had barely begun to study Texas' partisan judicial election system when the leader of the Texas Senate signaled skepticism of reform. Full Story 

Federal judge blocks policy that allowed Gov. Greg Abbott to ban refugees in Texas

by Julián Aguilar

The decision comes just days after the Texas governor became the first state leader to opt out of the program. The move drew a harsh rebuke from Texas' Catholic bishops. Full Story 

U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia of Houston one of seven named to prosecution team in Senate impeachment trial

by Abby Livingston and Stacy Fernández

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi indicated that she leaned on Garcia for her judicial background. Full Story 

Three Texas towns vote in favor of "sanctuary cities for the unborn," hoping to ban abortion

by Edgar Walters

Big Spring, Colorado City and Rusk are the three latest towns to vote in favor of such ordinances, which are of contested legality and enforceability. Full Story 

Michael Bloomberg announces plans to hire more than 100 Texas organizers by end of the month

by Alex Samuels

The numbers give Bloomberg, the billionaire former mayor of New York City, by far the biggest formal operation in Texas ahead of the state’s March 3 primary. Full Story 

Gov. Greg Abbott, a Catholic, draws criticism over new refugee ban from Texas' Catholic bishops

by Julián Aguilar

It’s not the first time Abbott has disagreed with the religious groups over state policy. He was also criticized after he made 2017's Senate Bill 4, an omnibus, state-based immigration enforcement bill, a legislative priority. Full Story 

Analysis: A bad day for Planned Parenthood, a good one for Ken Paxton

by Ross Ramsey

The Texas attorney general got a political gift in the form of a friendly request for his opinion: a chance to take a swipe at a political nemesis. Full Story 

Under new Texas law, Planned Parenthood likely to be excluded from state employees' annual charity drive

by Emma Platoff

A legal opinion from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said that facilitating state employees' donations to Planned Parenthood falls under a 2019 state law prohibiting government entities from entering into "taxpayer resource transactions" with abortion providers or their affiliates. Full Story 

Austin to consider stopping arrests, tickets in low-level marijuana cases after hemp law

by Alex Samuels and Jolie McCullough

Four progressive members of the City Council are pushing the proposal, which needs two more votes to pass. Full Story 

Warren unveils list of new Texas endorsements as presidential race heats up

by Alex Samuels

The senator's backers now include three state representatives, several Texas city council members and local political organizers. Full Story 

Greg Abbott blames another stabbing on Austin's homeless policies and ramps up DPS patrols

by Juan Pablo Garnham

The Texas governor said DPS will place additional patrols within two blocks of state buildings downtown and around the University of Texas. Full Story 

Appeals court rules Trump can use nearly $4 billion in military funds for border wall

by Julián Aguilar

The White House called the initial decision to block on the use of military funds for the border wall "illegitimate" and hailed the appeals court decision as a victory. Full Story 

Add Texas 2020 election dates to your calendar

by Bobby Blanchard

Make it your resolution this year to keep track of voter registration deadlines, early voting and more. Full Story