“A sham”: Texas Republicans defend Trump after guilty verdict
Republicans across the party’s political spectrum denounced Trump’s guilty verdict on 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records. Full Story
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![Former U.S. President Donald Trump sits at the defense table as the jury in his criminal trial is scheduled to continue deliberations at New York State Supreme Court in New York, New York on May 30, 2024. Trump was found guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign.]()
Credit: Justin Lane/Pool via REUTERS -
Texas education leaders unveil Bible-infused elementary school curriculum
The proposed curriculum overhaul was released a week after the Texas GOP proposed requiring the Bible to be taught in public schools. School districts that opt to use them will get more funding. Full Story
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![Mrs. Eden's fourth grade class practice reading tables during a lesson on April 24, 2024 at Jack Frost Elementary School in Georgetown.]()
Credit: Sara Diggins/American-Statesman via REUTERS -
Frank McCourt, the billionaire bidding to buy U.S. part of TikTok, wants users to control their data
McCourt said tech companies have to become more democratic in a conversation with The Texas Tribune’s CEO. Full Story
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State Rep. Shelby Slawson says she’s running for House speaker in letter condemning Phelan
The announcement came two days after Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, narrowly survived a runoff challenge from the GOP’s hard right. Full Story
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![State Rep. Shelby Slawson, R-Stephenville, moves to final passage her bill that would ban abortion procedures at six weeks among other strict limitations, on May 6, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Top Texas election official acknowledges threats to ballot secrecy
Rules and practices meant to promote transparency also create vulnerabilities for voters, lawmakers were told. Full Story
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![Voters wait in line outside Cody Public Library in San Antonio during the evening hours of Election Day on Oct. 23, 2020.]()
Credit: Clint Datchuk for The Texas Tribune -
Texas runoff yields no clear winner among GOP’s warring factions, setting stage for power struggle
Neither of the Texas GOP’s dueling factions landed a clean knockout blow during a grueling primary season that only seemed to set up further chaos and strife. Full Story
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![State Rep. Greg Bonnen and his wife Kim Bonnen on the House floor during Sine Die, the last day of the 88th Texas Legislative Session, at the Capitol in Austin on May 29, 2023.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Here are the organizations that Ken Paxton targeted using consumer protection laws
Attorneys general have increasingly used their power to pursue investigations targeting organizations whose work conflicts with their political views. Paxton is among the most aggressive. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, left, has been using consumer protection laws to target organizations like Annunciation House, run by Ruben Garcia, right, whose work conflicts with Paxton’s political views. El Paso-based Annunciation House serves immigrants and refugees seeking shelter.]()
Credit: Photo illustration by ProPublica. Source photos: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune, Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
Molly Cook holds on to Houston-based Texas Senate seat in Democratic primary runoff
Cook was up 74 votes, according to unofficial results. Johnson has not conceded. Full Story
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![Molly Cook, an emergency room nurse, is running for Texas Senate District 15.]()
Credit: Molly Cook for Texas Senate -
Texas officials compromised ballot secrecy as they increased election transparency
In limited instances, the choices some Texas voters make can later be identified using public, legally available data. Full Story
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![Super Tuesday voting lines at the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center near downtown Houston on March 3, 2020.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales prevails in primary runoff over gun influencer Brandon Herrera
The race became a referendum on the San Antonio Republican’s vote to support a bipartisan gun control package after the Uvalde school shooting. Full Story
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![District 23 Rep. Tony Gonzales speaks with a reporter at a Starbucks in San Antonio on Aug. 24, 2022.]()
Credit: Kaylee Greenlee Beal for The Texas Tribune -
Lupe Valdez loses primary runoff to Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown
Lupe Valdez previously held the sheriff’s post before unsuccessfully running for governor in 2018. Brown’s win likely clears her path to another term. Full Story
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![Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown.]()
Credit: Marian Brown for Sheriff -
Lauren Ashley Simmons declares victory over Texas Rep. Shawn Thierry, who broke with Democrats on LGBTQ+ votes
The Simmons-Thierry contest emerged as a test of whether Democratic lawmakers who do not fully support LGBTQ+ causes can remain in good standing with their own party’s voters. Full Story
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![Lauren Ashley Simmons talks with volunteers before block walking on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, in the Meyerland neighborhood of Houston.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Despite pressure, Amarillo City Council punts on abortion travel ban petition
Supporters of the petition may ultimately seek a vote of Amarillo residents later this fall. Full Story
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![Amarillo Mayor Cole Stanley, left, and Councilman Tom Scherlen listen to testimony during a city council meeting Tuesday, May 28 in Amarillo. Residents gave testimony and arguments to members of the city council as they discussed a proposed abortion travel ban in Amarillo.]()
Credit: Mark Rogers for The Texas Tribune -
Brent Hagenbuch wins GOP primary runoff for open Texas Senate seat
Hagenbuch won the primary in a district vacated by former Sen. Drew Springer, R-Muenster. Full Story
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![Candidate for state Senate District 30 Brent Hagenbuch.]()
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Texas House runoffs bring wave of GOP incumbent defeats, give Abbott votes for school vouchers
Six of eight GOP incumbents lost their races. Gov. Greg Abbott declared he “now has enough votes to pass school choice.” Full Story
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![Members vote to approve an anti-voucher amendment brought by state rep. Abel Herrero, D-Robstown, during a marathon session on the House floor to approve HB-1 at the Capitol in Austin on April 06, 2023.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Craig Goldman wins GOP runoff in outgoing U.S. Rep. Kay Granger’s district
The high-stakes race pitted an established Republican lawmaker against a right-wing candidate who had Attorney General Ken Paxton’s backing. Full Story
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![State Rep. Craig Goldman speaks on the “Wowtown” panel moderated by Abby Livingston at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2022 in Austin.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Navy veteran Jay Furman will face indicted U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar in South Texas congressional race
Furman won the Republican nomination in a runoff against Lazaro Garza. Cuellar’s criminal charges have suddenly made it a high-profile race. Full Story
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![Henry Cuellar celebrates his victory with his daughter Catherine and wife Imelda Cuellar at an election night party in Laredo on Nov. 8, 2022.]()
Credit: Jessica Rodriguez for The Texas Tribune -
House Speaker Dade Phelan wins runoff, surviving challenge by Texas GOP’s far-right forces
Business-minded Republicans spent millions trying to save Phelan, whose far-right opponent had the backing of Donald Trump, Ken Paxton and Dan Patrick. Phelan won by 366 votes, according to unofficial returns. Full Story
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![House Speaker Dade Phelan celebrates after declaring victory over challenger David Covey on May 28, 2024 at JW’s Patio in Beaumont.]()
Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune -
Severe storms knock out power at North Texas voting sites
At least 76 polling places in four counties closed after the weather left hundreds of thousands of North Texans without power. Full Story
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![Dallas voters cast their ballots during the 2020 primaries on March 3, 2020.]()
Credit: Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson for The Texas Tribune -
At Texas GOP convention, Republicans call for spiritual warfare
At the three-day convention, delegates moved the needle further to the right, preaching Christian nationalism and approving rules that would give them unprecedented control of elections. Full Story
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![Scenes from the Texas GOP Convention in San Antonio, Texas on May 24, 2024.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune