From Cornyn to Paxton: How Trump helped accelerate the Texas GOP’s transformation
Read full article: From Cornyn to Paxton: How Trump helped accelerate the Texas GOP’s transformationThe power struggle between old-school Bush Republicans and hardline conservatives predates President Donald Trump. But he has used his clout to help tip the scales.
In new memoir, Jill Biden wonders whether acknowledging Joe's poor debate would have been better
Read full article: In new memoir, Jill Biden wonders whether acknowledging Joe's poor debate would have been betterIn her new memoir, Jill Biden reflects on Joe Biden's poor 2024 presidential debate performance against Donald Trump.
Tala-freak-o vs. Ken the Criminal: Texas candidates sharpen attacks as U.S. Senate race locks in
Read full article: Tala-freak-o vs. Ken the Criminal: Texas candidates sharpen attacks as U.S. Senate race locks inTexas' Ken Paxton and James Talarico focus their energies — and attack ads — on each other as the fight for U.S. Senate narrows to two.
One in five Latino Trump voters in Texas would not repeat vote if given redo, poll finds
Read full article: One in five Latino Trump voters in Texas would not repeat vote if given redo, poll findsThe survey is the latest to measure eroding Latino support for the president and the GOP after historic gains in 2024. But a polling expert said Democrats were “still underperforming” among the bloc.
Incumbent Rep. Hubert Vo defeated in Democratic runoff
Read full article: Incumbent Rep. Hubert Vo defeated in Democratic runoffAlief school board President Darlene Breaux defeated Vo, who spent more than two decades in the Texas House. Dallas state Rep. Venton Jones held off Amanda Richardson.
Colin Allred tops Julie Johnson in redistricting-driven runoff battle of Dallas Democrats
Read full article: Colin Allred tops Julie Johnson in redistricting-driven runoff battle of Dallas DemocratsJohnson succeeded Allred in Congress, but Republican redistricting pushed them into an unusual primary confrontation for the 33rd Congressional District.
Mayes Middleton defeats Chip Roy for Texas attorney general GOP nomination
Read full article: Mayes Middleton defeats Chip Roy for Texas attorney general GOP nominationMiddleton, a conservative state senator and oil and gas executive, put more than $16 million of his own money into the race.
Paxton-backed Thomas Smith defeats Alison Fox in GOP runoff for Texas’ highest criminal court
Read full article: Paxton-backed Thomas Smith defeats Alison Fox in GOP runoff for Texas’ highest criminal courtThe all-Republican Court of Criminal Appeals has undergone extensive turnover since AG Ken Paxton began targeting incumbent judges.
Christian Menefee defeats longtime Houston Rep. Al Green in Texas’ new 18th Congressional District
Read full article: Christian Menefee defeats longtime Houston Rep. Al Green in Texas’ new 18th Congressional DistrictGreen’s loss means the Texas House delegation is losing one of its most senior members, who served more than 20 years in Congress.
Travel industry worries after Trump administration reiterates threat to sanctuary city airports
Read full article: Travel industry worries after Trump administration reiterates threat to sanctuary city airportsThe travel industry is on edge after Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin reiterated his threat to withdraw U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from airports in so-called “sanctuary cities” in a move that could jeopardize international flights.
Rallies, ad blitzes and a Trump endorsement: inside the final days of the Cornyn-Paxton runoff
Read full article: Rallies, ad blitzes and a Trump endorsement: inside the final days of the Cornyn-Paxton runoffNearly 14 months and $135 million later, Texas’ blockbuster Republican Senate primary will finally be decided Tuesday.
House Democratic runoff heats up in the Rio Grande Valley, where the party hopes to reverse GOP gains
Read full article: House Democratic runoff heats up in the Rio Grande Valley, where the party hopes to reverse GOP gainsTexas House District 41 was opened by the retirement of Rep. Bobby Guerra, a Democrat. Donald Trump carried the district with 50.3% of the vote in 2024.
In Democratic runoff, Reps. Al Green and Christian Menefee clash over influence of big money in politics
Read full article: In Democratic runoff, Reps. Al Green and Christian Menefee clash over influence of big money in politicsThe clash embodies the tension for Democrats who rely on large fundraising hauls to remain competitive, even as they denounce the outsized political influence of corporate cash.
Colorado Democrats censure governor for conspiracy theorist sentence commutation
Read full article: Colorado Democrats censure governor for conspiracy theorist sentence commutationColorado Democrats have voted overwhelmingly to censure the state's governor for commuting the prison sentence of an election conspiracy theorist.
Ken Paxton wanted to limit forum shopping. Now lawyers say he’s improperly seeking favorable courts.
Read full article: Ken Paxton wanted to limit forum shopping. Now lawyers say he’s improperly seeking favorable courts.ProPublica and The Texas Tribune have identified at least 30 lawsuits filed by the attorney general over the past nine years that have a tenuous connection to the counties in which they were filed.
Texas’ GOP Senate runoff pits an old guard-backed institutionalist against a Trump-picked flamethrower
Read full article: Texas’ GOP Senate runoff pits an old guard-backed institutionalist against a Trump-picked flamethrowerThe GOP establishment has gone to bat for John Cornyn, touting the statesmanship and Washington know-how that make him a favorite of his colleagues and a pariah among Paxton’s base.
Dems slam Maureen Galindo’s comments as antisemitic in TX-35 runoff
Read full article: Dems slam Maureen Galindo’s comments as antisemitic in TX-35 runoffSome party leaders are also also alleging GOP interference on behalf of Galindo, who said she would “turn Karnes ICE Detention Center into a prison for American Zionists” if elected.
Election for oil regulator becomes battleground for wealthy donors
Read full article: Election for oil regulator becomes battleground for wealthy donorsIn the GOP runoff for Texas Railroad commissioner, billionaires, big oil companies and trade groups flood the campaign pockets of candidates Jim Wright and Bo French.
Justice Department announces nearly $1.8B fund to compensate Trump allies in a deal to drop IRS suit
Read full article: Justice Department announces nearly $1.8B fund to compensate Trump allies in a deal to drop IRS suitThe Trump administration has announced the creation a nearly $1.8 billion fund to compensate allies of the Republican president who believe they have been unjustly investigated and prosecuted.
Senate parliamentarian deals blow to $1 billion security proposal for White House
Read full article: Senate parliamentarian deals blow to $1 billion security proposal for White HouseA proposal to fund $1 billion in security additions for the White House campus and the president’s new ballroom fails to meet procedural rules.
Texas Supreme Court rejects Abbott’s request to remove Democratic Rep. Gene Wu from office over redistricting protest
Read full article: Texas Supreme Court rejects Abbott’s request to remove Democratic Rep. Gene Wu from office over redistricting protestMore than 50 Democrats, including Wu — the House Democratic leader — left the state last August to shut down the Legislature and stall passage of the GOP’s map.
Abbott’s public safety wish list includes statewide prosecutor, more bail restrictions
Read full article: Abbott’s public safety wish list includes statewide prosecutor, more bail restrictionsSome items on Abbott's agenda would require amending the Texas Constitution, meaning they would need supermajority support in the Legislature.
Here are the megadonors and dark money groups boosting James Talarico’s anti-billionaire Senate bid
Read full article: Here are the megadonors and dark money groups boosting James Talarico’s anti-billionaire Senate bidAs the Austin Democrat campaigns against big money in politics, he is being supported by a super PAC bankrolled by several billionaires, as well as nonprofits that do not have to disclose their funders.
Barack Obama appears with James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa at Austin restaurant
Read full article: Barack Obama appears with James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa at Austin restaurantThe former president greeted patrons while stopping for tacos near the University of Texas at Austin campus — a notable show of support for the Democrats atop the ticket this fall.
Christian Menefee, Alex Mealer lead Houston-area congressional runoffs, new poll finds
Read full article: Christian Menefee, Alex Mealer lead Houston-area congressional runoffs, new poll findsThe two contests are among the most closely watched U.S. House runoffs in Texas. Menefee, newly elected to Congress, faces longtime Democratic Rep. Al Green in a matchup spawned by GOP redistricting.
Texas took their licenses. Now these immigrant truckers face lost livelihoods, sense of betrayal
Read full article: Texas took their licenses. Now these immigrant truckers face lost livelihoods, sense of betrayalTexas was among the first states to heed Trump administration directives to revoke commercial driver’s licenses from some immigrants as a safety measure.
Texas’ 35th Congressional District primary runoffs: Who is running and what to know
Read full article: Texas’ 35th Congressional District primary runoffs: Who is running and what to knowTwo Democrats and two Republicans advanced to May runoffs for the open San Antonio-area seat, which was drawn to favor the GOP yet is considered winnable for Democrats in a wave year.
By threatening public safety grants, Greg Abbott exerts control over Texas cities
Read full article: By threatening public safety grants, Greg Abbott exerts control over Texas citiesThe governor’s threats have produced quick wins on hot-button issues important to the GOP base – immigration and perceived threats posed by Islam.
How Trump's immigration crackdown is affecting everyday Americans, according to a new AP-NORC poll
Read full article: How Trump's immigration crackdown is affecting everyday Americans, according to a new AP-NORC pollA new AP-NORC poll finds about 6 in 10 U.S. adults say the country is no longer a great place for immigrants, though they believe it used to be.
Southern Republicans press ahead with election-year redistricting of US House despite protests
Read full article: Southern Republicans press ahead with election-year redistricting of US House despite protestsRepublicans are rapidly pursuing redistricting efforts across the South following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that affects majority-Black congressional districts.
Texas’ 18th Congressional District Democratic runoff: Who is running and what to know
Read full article: Texas’ 18th Congressional District Democratic runoff: Who is running and what to knowThe Democratic runoff for the Houston-based seat — a longtime bastion of Black political power — pits the Texas delegation’s newest member, Christian Menefee, against one of its longest-tenured, Al Green.
Rep. Greg Casar unveils bill targeting utility costs as part of progressives’ “affordability agenda”
Read full article: Rep. Greg Casar unveils bill targeting utility costs as part of progressives’ “affordability agenda”The proposal is part of a package from the Casar-led Congressional Progressive Caucus focused on cost of living. It’s unlikely to go anywhere but could give Democrats a campaign blueprint.
Christian Menefee’s district sat vacant for 11 months. His first bill in Congress would set a deadline for special elections.
Read full article: Christian Menefee’s district sat vacant for 11 months. His first bill in Congress would set a deadline for special elections.The Houston Democrat was elected earlier this year to finish out the term of Rep. Sylvester Turner, who died in March 2025. The safely blue district was left vacant for 334 days.
U.S. Supreme Court weakens key pillar of Voting Rights Act, opening the door for Texas to redraw political maps
Read full article: U.S. Supreme Court weakens key pillar of Voting Rights Act, opening the door for Texas to redraw political mapsWhile the court did not strike down the provision entirely, Justice Elena Kagan said Wednesday’s ruling made Section 2 of the VRA “all but a dead letter.”
Top Democratic PAC books $22 million in ads for U.S. House seats in South Texas
Read full article: Top Democratic PAC books $22 million in ads for U.S. House seats in South TexasHouse Majority PAC’s spending in Texas is up more than sevenfold from 2024 and targets five majority-Hispanic seats, including TX-23, which was vacated by Republican Tony Gonzales.
Democratic donor platform ActBlue countersues AG Ken Paxton alleging a politically motivated attack
Read full article: Democratic donor platform ActBlue countersues AG Ken Paxton alleging a politically motivated attackPaxton filed a lawsuit against ActBlue in late April, claiming the platform allows improper donations from people outside the United States and those who have already hit the mandated donor limits.
Texas Democrats feud over party leadership as hundreds back Kendall Scudder’s chairmanship
Read full article: Texas Democrats feud over party leadership as hundreds back Kendall Scudder’s chairmanshipNearly 800 elected officials, party activists and local Democratic leaders signed onto a letter supporting Scudder after three dozen called on him to forgo reelection.
A big midterms year in Arizona kicks off with the state's largest county embroiled in election drama
Read full article: A big midterms year in Arizona kicks off with the state's largest county embroiled in election dramaMuch of the political spotlight this election year in Arizona has been focused on the office that runs elections in Maricopa County, the state’s largest.
Three dozen Texas Democrats urge Kendall Scudder not to seek reelection as state party chair
Read full article: Three dozen Texas Democrats urge Kendall Scudder not to seek reelection as state party chairIn an open letter, former staffers and other insiders said the state party has fallen short on strategy and failed to act with urgency under Scudder’s leadership.
House rejects effort to withdraw US forces from the Iran war as Republicans stick with Trump
Read full article: House rejects effort to withdraw US forces from the Iran war as Republicans stick with TrumpThe House has rejected a resolution requiring President Donald Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from the war with Iran unless Congress authorizes military action.
House Democrats will try anti-corruption message to gain traction against Trump
Read full article: House Democrats will try anti-corruption message to gain traction against TrumpHouse Democrats are launching what they call an anti-corruption task force in an attempt to strengthen ethics rules and protect voting access.
Texas House Democrats who walked out over congressional map fined over $8,000 each
Read full article: Texas House Democrats who walked out over congressional map fined over $8,000 eachA Republican-led House committee approved the penalties Friday, charging Democrats $500 for each day they were absent, plus costs borne by law enforcement to bring them back.
Bills to pay FAA and TSA workers during shutdowns get introduced but keep stalling in Congress
Read full article: Bills to pay FAA and TSA workers during shutdowns get introduced but keep stalling in CongressMembers of Congress have repeatedly introduced bills to ensure the federal employees who control air traffic and conduct airport security screenings get paid during government shutdowns.
What Americans are giving up to afford ACA health insurance, according to a new poll
Read full article: What Americans are giving up to afford ACA health insurance, according to a new pollA new KFF survey shows many Americans who had Affordable Care Act marketplace health insurance last year are struggling with high health costs.
Republicans resist calls for Iran war hearings, creating a new standoff with Democrats
Read full article: Republicans resist calls for Iran war hearings, creating a new standoff with DemocratsThe United States’ war with Iran is entering its third week, but Congress has yet to publicly test the Trump administration’s case for the conflict.
In the Rio Grande Valley, soaring Democratic turnout fuels party’s hope of turning the Trump tide
Read full article: In the Rio Grande Valley, soaring Democratic turnout fuels party’s hope of turning the Trump tideDemocratic enthusiasm in the Valley’s four counties could foreshadow a November reversal of Trump’s historic 2024 sweep there — and signal that Latino voters have become swing voters.
Recent murder-suicide puts spotlight on domestic violence deaths, firearms
Read full article: Recent murder-suicide puts spotlight on domestic violence deaths, firearmsDemocrats highlighted the issue on the March 3 primary ballot, and Republicans have created a state taskforce. Now survivors and advocates want to see actions taken to prevent these deaths.
Cornyn voices support for nixing filibuster, reversing course as he courts Trump’s endorsement
Read full article: Cornyn voices support for nixing filibuster, reversing course as he courts Trump’s endorsementCornyn’s change of heart comes amid a grueling primary battle with Attorney General Ken Paxton, who said he'd consider dropping out if Republicans scrapped the filibuster to pass a voter ID law.
Jill Biden opens up in memoir about Joe Biden's decision to end his 2024 reelection bid
Read full article: Jill Biden opens up in memoir about Joe Biden's decision to end his 2024 reelection bidJill Biden says she wants to “set the record straight” as she breaks her silence about Joe Biden’s decision to end his 2024 presidential reelection bid under pressure from Democrats who were concerned about his age and viability against Republican Donald Trump.
The Latest: Trump says Iran had a new site for developing nuclear weapons
Read full article: The Latest: Trump says Iran had a new site for developing nuclear weaponsU.S. President Donald Trump says that the war with Iran began because that country was starting work on a new site for developing material for nuclear weapons.
Jan. 6 plaque honoring police officers is now displayed at the Capitol after a 3-year delay
Read full article: Jan. 6 plaque honoring police officers is now displayed at the Capitol after a 3-year delayVisitors to the Capitol in Washington now have a visible reminder of the siege there on Jan. 6, 2021, and the officers who fought and were injured that day.
How Jasmine Crockett slipped from Democratic frontrunner to decisive defeat in the Senate primary
Read full article: How Jasmine Crockett slipped from Democratic frontrunner to decisive defeat in the Senate primaryCrockett embarked on her primary bid with a makeshift operation that lacked a campaign manager, a developed fundraising strategy and comprehensive infrastructure for a ground game.
Rep. Veronica Escobar, two dozen Democrats call on ICE to close troubled El Paso detention camp
Read full article: Rep. Veronica Escobar, two dozen Democrats call on ICE to close troubled El Paso detention campThree deaths have been reported recently at the hastily constructed camp. One was ruled a homicide involving staff. Claims of medical neglect and unsanitary conditions are rife.
Residents want local governments to end contracts that let ICE train on their gun ranges
Read full article: Residents want local governments to end contracts that let ICE train on their gun rangesResidents in a Southern California city want local police to stop letting federal immigration agents train at a publicly owned firing range.
Department of Homeland Security suspends Global Entry as the partial government shutdown drags on
Read full article: Department of Homeland Security suspends Global Entry as the partial government shutdown drags onThe Department of Homeland Security says the Global Entry program shuts down for as long as the partial government shutdown continues.
Democrats say citizenship question could derail census test and deter immigrants from participating
Read full article: Democrats say citizenship question could derail census test and deter immigrants from participatingCongressional Democrats are warning that the U.S. Census Bureau risks undermining an upcoming test of the 2030 census by using a form that includes a citizenship question.
Virginia judge temporarily blocks Democrats' redistricting work on bid to flip 4 congressional seats
Read full article: Virginia judge temporarily blocks Democrats' redistricting work on bid to flip 4 congressional seatsA Virginia court is temporarily blocking Democrats from preparing for an April voter referendum to redraw the state’s congressional maps.
Trump visits Georgia, a target of his election falsehoods, as Republicans look for midterm boost
Read full article: Trump visits Georgia, a target of his election falsehoods, as Republicans look for midterm boostThe White House has insisted that President Donald Trump was visiting Georgia to promote the economy.
No clear path to ending the partial government shutdown as lawmakers dig in over DHS oversight
Read full article: No clear path to ending the partial government shutdown as lawmakers dig in over DHS oversightLawmakers and the White House are offering no signs of compromise in their battle over oversight of federal immigration officers.
Rep. James Talarico raises $7.4 million in first six weeks of 2026 in bid for U.S. Senate
Read full article: Rep. James Talarico raises $7.4 million in first six weeks of 2026 in bid for U.S. SenateTalarico’s haul, announced days before early voting, already outpaces what he raised over the last three months of last year.
Texas attorney general candidate says if he wins, he’d try to revoke Democratic leader Gene Wu’s citizenship
Read full article: Texas attorney general candidate says if he wins, he’d try to revoke Democratic leader Gene Wu’s citizenshipAaron Reitz, who is running for Texas attorney general, issued the threat after an interview of Wu was shared online of him discussing non-white voting strength.
Supreme Court allows new California congressional districts that favor Democrats
Read full article: Supreme Court allows new California congressional districts that favor DemocratsThe Supreme Court has allowed California to use a new voter-approved congressional map that is favorable to Democrats in this year’s elections, rejecting a plea from state Republicans and the Trump administration.
Trump signs bill to end partial government shutdown, setting stage for next fight
Read full article: Trump signs bill to end partial government shutdown, setting stage for next fightPresident Donald Trump has signed a government funding bill that ends the partial federal shutdown that began over the weekend and sets the stage for an intense debate in Congress over Homeland Security funding.
Texas’ social studies shakeup creates divide over whose histories to teach, and how
Read full article: Texas’ social studies shakeup creates divide over whose histories to teach, and howConcerned about Texas’ social studies overhaul, Democrats on the State Board of Education used a recent meeting to push for the inclusion of more Black and Indigenous perspectives and for young children to learn about the horrific nature of slavery.
Fundraising hauls show RNC vastly outpacing Democrats ahead of midterm elections
Read full article: Fundraising hauls show RNC vastly outpacing Democrats ahead of midterm electionsThe Republican National Committee vastly outpaced Democrats in 2025, according to year-end filings to the Federal Election Commission.
The Latest: Democrats threaten to trigger government shutdown over ICE reform
Read full article: The Latest: Democrats threaten to trigger government shutdown over ICE reformSenate Democrats are threatening to block legislation Thursday to fund the Department of Homeland Security and several other agencies, potentially bringing the government a step closer to a partial shutdown Friday if Republicans and the White House don't agree to restrict President Donald Trump’s surge of immigration enforcement.
Immigration was a Republican strength. Now some fear it's slipping away before the midterms
Read full article: Immigration was a Republican strength. Now some fear it's slipping away before the midtermsRepublicans are increasingly worried about immigration enforcement becoming a political problem in the upcoming midterm elections.
Correction: Election 2026-Senate-Texas-Democrats story
Read full article: Correction: Election 2026-Senate-Texas-Democrats storyIn a story published Jan. 24, 2026, about a debate for the U.S. Senate in Texas, The Associated Press erroneously reported the date that a man was fatally shot in Minneapolis by federal officers.
Metro SA Chamber hosts Bexar County Judge Democratic Candidate Forum with Peter Sakai, Ron Nirenberg
Read full article: Metro SA Chamber hosts Bexar County Judge Democratic Candidate Forum with Peter Sakai, Ron NirenbergThe Metro SA Chamber will host a forum on Friday morning for Democrats running for Bexar County judge in the March primary.
How teaching middle school in one of Texas’ poorest neighborhoods spurred James Talarico’s U.S. Senate bid
Read full article: How teaching middle school in one of Texas’ poorest neighborhoods spurred James Talarico’s U.S. Senate bidTalarico’s two years as a public school teacher is central to his Democratic Senate campaign after shaping his policy goals and driving his political rise through the Texas House.
Final day to select ACA health plans arrives in most states, with no subsidy deal yet
Read full article: Final day to select ACA health plans arrives in most states, with no subsidy deal yetThe final day to select Affordable Care Act health insurance for the year has arrived across much of the country.
Democrats will spend millions to shift voter registration strategy ahead of the midterm elections
Read full article: Democrats will spend millions to shift voter registration strategy ahead of the midterm electionsThe Democratic National Committee plans to spend millions of dollars to consolidate voter registration efforts, traditionally handled by nonprofits and individual campaigns.
James Talarico reports raising nearly $7 million, continuing cash influx to U.S. Senate bid
Read full article: James Talarico reports raising nearly $7 million, continuing cash influx to U.S. Senate bidThe Democratic Senate hopeful’s campaign said virtually all the donations, 98%, were for $100 or less. Candidates must file updates by the end of the month.
Democrat Renee Hardman wins Iowa state Senate seat, blocking GOP from reclaiming a supermajority
Read full article: Democrat Renee Hardman wins Iowa state Senate seat, blocking GOP from reclaiming a supermajorityDemocrat Renee Hardman has been elected to the Iowa state Senate in a holiday-week special election, denying Republicans’ bid to reclaim two-thirds control of the chamber.
National Guard to patrol New Orleans for New Year's a year after deadly attack
Read full article: National Guard to patrol New Orleans for New Year's a year after deadly attackA National Guard deployment in New Orleans authorized by President Donald Trump will begin Tuesday as part of a heavy security presence for New Year’s celebrations.
With ACA subsidies set to expire, Texas Republicans in Congress remain hazy about path forward
Read full article: With ACA subsidies set to expire, Texas Republicans in Congress remain hazy about path forwardTexas’ entire House GOP delegation voted this week for a health care package that lets the tax credits lapse. They will be forced to vote on a three-year extension of the subsidies in January.
House backs bill to speed permitting reviews for new energy and infrastructure projects
Read full article: House backs bill to speed permitting reviews for new energy and infrastructure projectsThe House has approved bipartisan legislation aimed at speeding up permitting reviews for new energy and infrastructure projects and limiting judicial review.
Imprisoned Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell seeks release, citing 'new evidence'
Read full article: Imprisoned Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell seeks release, citing 'new evidence'Imprisoned former Jeffrey Epstein girlfriend and longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell is asking a federal judge to set aside her sex trafficking conviction and 20-year prison sentence, saying “substantial new evidence” has emerged to prove constitutional violations spoiled her trial.