All articles tagged with #texas politics
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said on Facebook that she has infectious mononucleosis and will be less visible in the coming weeks as she recovers. She wore a K95 mask at a commissioners meeting, and her team will represent her as needed. The illness, caused by EBV, is contagious, and recovery typically takes four to six weeks, per the CDC.
Ted Cruz told Gov. Greg Abbott on Sean Hannity’s show that Democratic state Rep. James Talarico has a real chance to flip Texas’ U.S. Senate seat from Ken Paxton, with polling suggesting a tight 1–2 point race and Cruz warning that voters who aren’t paying attention could be swayed by Talarico’s charm; Abbott echoed optimism that Talarico is beatable, highlighting the broader GOP struggle to keep Texas red amid a shifting national environment.
Democratic voices, led by James Talarico, are crafting a forward-looking political language. In his Corpus Christi nomination speech for U.S. Senate, he anchors his vision in Barbara Jordan’s legacy and Texas history, arguing Texans are “big” enough for unity across backgrounds. He rails against billionaire megadonors who he says are shrinking the state and democracy, and urges a nonpartisan push to make Texas big again by investing in schools, the economy, and rights. The speech links Texas pride with a broader national, inclusive future.
Mark Hill won the Frisco mayor runoff on June 13, 2026, taking about 58% of the vote (19,632) to Rod Vilhauer’s 41.88% (14,146), with numbers unofficial until canvassed. The city will canvass the results on June 23, and Hill will become Frisco’s mayor, succeeding Jeff Cheney—the first new Frisco mayor since 2017.
At the Texas Republican Convention in Houston, Vice Chair D’rinda Randall defeated incumbent Chair Abraham George to become the party’s new leader, signaling a leadership shift amid concerns about finances and turnout as the party heads into the fall midterms.
Jasmine Crockett’s FIRE PAC-backed Colin Allred won the Texas 32nd District Democratic primary over Talarico-backed Julie Johnson, reviving their high-profile Senate primary rivalry and signaling Crockett’s influence in a broader Texas Democratic strategy as Black voters loom large for future statewide contests.
Colin Allred wins the Democratic primary for Texas’ 33rd District to reclaim his former seat in the U.S. House after briefly pursuing Senate runs; he defeats incumbent Rep. Julie Johnson, who had replaced him in Washington.
Texas Democratic congressional hopeful Maureen Galindo faced wide condemnation after social media posts in which she vowed to turn Karnes ICE Detention Center into a “prison for American Zionists” and stated anti‑Zionist positions, prompting antisemitism accusations from both parties. Galindo denies antisemitism, saying she opposes “Zionist Jews.” The controversy has drawn scrutiny over potential conservative funding via Lead Left PAC and elicited reactions from Democratic leaders and GOP rivals as the TX‑35 primary proceeds.
Barack Obama surprised diners at an Austin Taco Joint with Democratic Senate hopeful James Talarico and gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa, mingling with patrons, discussing issues from data centers to voting, and posing for photos before leaving; he paid in cash and did not publicly endorse the candidates, but the appearance signals national support for Texas Democrats in a high-stakes race, with Obama even signing a children’s book for Talarico’s niece Jane.
Texas Republicans are divided over rapid AI data-center growth led by OpenAI’s Stargate, with Abbott and Trump backing Texas as a data-center hub while rural voters worry about water use and grid strain; lawmakers debate county-level regulation versus statewide guidelines as industry lobbying and political donations surge ahead of the next session and midterm elections.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a state-court lawsuit against ActBlue, alleging the Democratic donor platform accepts donations from foreign nationals and donors who have reached the legal contribution limit, including via gift cards and prepaid cards, and seeks to halt such contributions with up to $10,000 in civil penalties per violation under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act. ActBlue denies wrongdoing and calls the claims politically motivated, as Paxton’s investigations into the platform continue amid broader debates over campaign fundraising.
Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales said he would retire from Congress amid a House Ethics Committee investigation into a relationship with a former senior aide, a move that comes as Rep. Eric Swalwell resigns and as lawmakers weigh potential expulsions in a high-stakes ethics saga.
Black Democratic strategists and lawmakers critique Jasmine Crockett's string of campaign missteps in the Texas Senate primary, arguing a weak ground game and overreliance on social media over traditional TV advertising cost her the race, despite endorsements and name recognition. The loss raises concerns inside the party about electoral appeal for Black women and how identity politics intersect with strategy in statewide contests.
A Texas billionaire donor, Robert Marling, funded about two-thirds of a pro-Toth super PAC’s anti-Crenshaw campaign with roughly $675,000, helping Steve Toth defeat Rep. Dan Crenshaw 55% to 40% in the Republican primary. The feud between Crenshaw and Marling—centered on district dynamics and ideological differences—was amplified by mailers and TV ads paid for by Marling, with Trump not endorsing Crenshaw and Cruz involved on the opposing side. The loss illustrates how a single affluent donor can seize a GOP primary in a single district.
Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick easily won their Republican primaries, keeping their bids for reelection alive; Democrat Gina Hinojosa captured the nomination to challenge Abbott, while Austin's Vikki Goodwin led the Democratic field for lieutenant governor. Abbott framed the race around conservative governance and tax restraint, with Patrick touting his leadership in the Texas Senate and alignment with Trump. Democrats hope the high-profile U.S. Senate contest could bolster turnout down the ticket.