INSIDER
Texas GOP investing in South Texas races as some Republicans worry about party's performance in November
Read full article: Texas GOP investing in South Texas races as some Republicans worry about party's performance in NovemberSeveral local party officials have signed an open letter warning that “grave and deteriorating” fundraising and voter outreach efforts could leave some candidates vulnerable.
With new rules, the Texas GOP seeks to keep its elected officials in line
Read full article: With new rules, the Texas GOP seeks to keep its elected officials in lineThe state party plans to limit primaries to registered Republicans and keep elected officials it censured off the ballot. It’s unclear if it can without legislative approval.
Brandon Herrera to request recount in primary runoff against U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales
Read full article: Brandon Herrera to request recount in primary runoff against U.S. Rep. Tony GonzalesHerrera said he doesn’t expect the results to change, “but I feel I owe it to my volunteers, voters, and supporters to leave no stone unturned.”
Majority of incoming Texas House Republicans calls for end to Democratic committee chairs, narrowing path for Phelan
Read full article: Majority of incoming Texas House Republicans calls for end to Democratic committee chairs, narrowing path for PhelanHouse Speaker Dade Phelan has stuck to the tradition of appointing chairs from the opposing party, drawing fierce pushback from the GOP’s right wing.
At Texas GOP convention, Republicans call for spiritual warfare
Read full article: At Texas GOP convention, Republicans call for spiritual warfareAt 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.
Proposed Texas GOP platform calls for the Bible in schools, electoral changes that would lock Democrats out of statewide office
Read full article: Proposed Texas GOP platform calls for the Bible in schools, electoral changes that would lock Democrats out of statewide officeThe platform was voted on Saturday, with tallies expected next week. Other planks call abortion homicide and gender-transition care “child abuse.”
Texas’ Republican old guard mobilizes to protect Dade Phelan from the far right
Read full article: Texas’ Republican old guard mobilizes to protect Dade Phelan from the far rightPhelan’s primary has emerged as a last stand for the Republican Party’s business-minded establishment against an insurgency primarily motivated by social and cultural issues.
Travis County GOP Chair Matt Mackowiak announces run to lead state Republican Party
Read full article: Travis County GOP Chair Matt Mackowiak announces run to lead state Republican PartyThe political consultant joins a crowded field to replace outgoing Chair Matt Rinaldi when party delegates meet next week.
Far-right activist Jonathan Stickland starts new group, months after white supremacist scandal
Read full article: Far-right activist Jonathan Stickland starts new group, months after white supremacist scandalThe former lawmaker registered “RaTmasTeR Holdings” along with Texas GOP Chair Matt Rinaldi. The name is a nod to Stickland’s alias as an infamous internet troll.
Republican senator who voted to acquit Paxton wants Senate to consider reopening impeachment proceedings
Read full article: Republican senator who voted to acquit Paxton wants Senate to consider reopening impeachment proceedingsThe bombshell request by retiring state Sen. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, comes after Paxton decided to stop fighting a whistleblower lawsuit whose claims factored into his impeachment trial.
Texas GOP chair Matt Rinaldi backed a group with white supremacist ties — while working for its billionaire funder
Read full article: Texas GOP chair Matt Rinaldi backed a group with white supremacist ties — while working for its billionaire funderFarris Wilks is a key funder of Defend Texas Liberty, the state party’s largest donor, which is under fire for its ties to white supremacists
In debate, GOP candidates for Texas House special election mirror statewide intraparty tensions
Read full article: In debate, GOP candidates for Texas House special election mirror statewide intraparty tensionsThe two feuding Republicans were the top two finishers in a November special election to succeed expelled state Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Royse City, in House District 2.
Texas GOP chair stays silent on allies’ connections to antisemitic extremists
Read full article: Texas GOP chair stays silent on allies’ connections to antisemitic extremistsMatt Rinaldi has been defiant amid calls for him to cut ties with political ally Jonathan Stickland after meeting with white supremacist Nick Fuentes. Rinaldi is also accused of embracing antisemitic leaders of a new young Republicans organization.
Nick Fuentes is just the latest white supremacist embraced by Defend Texas Liberty
Read full article: Nick Fuentes is just the latest white supremacist embraced by Defend Texas LibertyWhile Fuentes’ unapologetic hate mongering has made him one of the nation’s best-known white supremacists, he was merely the latest in a long line of people who have been embraced by Defend Texas Liberty and its close allies.
Dan Patrick to use $3 million from Defend Texas Liberty to buy Israeli bonds
Read full article: Dan Patrick to use $3 million from Defend Texas Liberty to buy Israeli bondsMore than two weeks after the influential PAC’s leader met with a Hitler admirer, Lt. Gov. Patrick said the GOP must ”root out” antisemitism. Patrick had initially said he’d keep the PAC’s money.
Paxton defense calls charges “foolishness,” House argues AG “betrayed us” in closing impeachment arguments
Read full article: Paxton defense calls charges “foolishness,” House argues AG “betrayed us” in closing impeachment argumentsSenators begin deliberating in private after defense lawyers and impeachment managers make impassioned pleas after two weeks of trial.
House panel investigating AG Ken Paxton’s office; Paxton calls on Speaker Dade Phelan to resign
Read full article: House panel investigating AG Ken Paxton’s office; Paxton calls on Speaker Dade Phelan to resignThe dramatic turn of events began with Paxton accusing Phelan of presiding over the House while drunk. Phelan’s office called it a ploy and “a last ditch effort to save face.”
As Texas Republican senators march in lockstep, Robert Nichols is willing to break away
Read full article: As Texas Republican senators march in lockstep, Robert Nichols is willing to break awayWhether it’s supporting a rape exception for abortion or opposing school choice, Nichols has gone his own way on certain GOP priorities.
For a Texan who wants to build bridges in Congress, U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales has burned quite a few
Read full article: For a Texan who wants to build bridges in Congress, U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales has burned quite a fewThe two-term Republican, criticized by his own party for breaking with the GOP on key votes, is not inclined to change his ways.
After backlash, Abbott expresses some regret after labeling all Cleveland shooting victims “illegal immigrants”
Read full article: After backlash, Abbott expresses some regret after labeling all Cleveland shooting victims “illegal immigrants”The governor’s focus on immigration status, not the loss of life, draws rebukes from across the country.
Bills to create new Texas courts would likely reverse Democratic gains, restore GOP dominance
Read full article: Bills to create new Texas courts would likely reverse Democratic gains, restore GOP dominanceSupporters say the proposals would increase efficiency and expertise, but opponents argue the attempts are political and probably unconstitutional.
Texas Democrats and Republicans are on the hunt for rare chances to flip seats in 2024
Read full article: Texas Democrats and Republicans are on the hunt for rare chances to flip seats in 2024The dearth of competitive down-ballot races could contrast with the last few election cycles in Texas, when multiple congressional seats and state legislative seats drew significant national investment.
U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales defiant as he faces censure for breaking with Republican Party
Read full article: U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales defiant as he faces censure for breaking with Republican PartyThe censure resolution cites Gonzales’ rejection of a border security proposal by fellow Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy, and his support of a bill for same-sex marriage protections and a bipartisan gun safety law.
Harry Whittington, longtime Texas GOP supporter shot by Dick Cheney in a 2006 hunting accident, dies
Read full article: Harry Whittington, longtime Texas GOP supporter shot by Dick Cheney in a 2006 hunting accident, diesWhittington, who was 95, was shot in 2006 during a quail-hunting trip near Corpus Christi. He quickly forgave Cheney.
Texas GOP launches radio attack ads against Republican state House speaker
Read full article: Texas GOP launches radio attack ads against Republican state House speakerThe radio ad, which criticizes Phelan for appointing Democratic committee chairs, prompted pushback from Republican colleagues in the House over why the state party would use resources to attack its own member.
Gov. Greg Abbott energizes supporters with vows to focus on education and the border as his third term begins
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott energizes supporters with vows to focus on education and the border as his third term beginsTexans came from all corners of the state to watch Abbott’s inauguration Tuesday. Even those who don’t completely agree with the Republican leader reveled in the ceremonies.
Effort to ban Democratic chairs fails in Texas House, but rule passes to penalize future quorum-breakers
Read full article: Effort to ban Democratic chairs fails in Texas House, but rule passes to penalize future quorum-breakersHouse Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, snuffed out a monthslong push Wednesday to end the chamber’s longtime tradition of having committee chairs from both parties.
After disappointing midterms, Texas GOP votes unanimously for a new national leader
Read full article: After disappointing midterms, Texas GOP votes unanimously for a new national leaderRonna McDaniel has kept the RNC aligned with former President Donald Trump, who some Republicans have blamed for the party’s underwhelming performance in the midterm elections.
New Congress will feature few leadership roles for the many Texans in the U.S. House
Read full article: New Congress will feature few leadership roles for the many Texans in the U.S. HouseTexans will chair some powerful committees in the House, but their roles in top leadership elections last week were more often as anti-establishment voices than contenders.
Texas Republicans prefer Ron DeSantis to Donald Trump for 2024, new GOP poll finds
Read full article: Texas Republicans prefer Ron DeSantis to Donald Trump for 2024, new GOP poll findsThe new poll shows a shift in support for the former president, who was the clear favorite among Texas Republicans in an October poll.
“We failed”: Gay Republicans who fought for acceptance in Texas GOP see little progress
Read full article: “We failed”: Gay Republicans who fought for acceptance in Texas GOP see little progressGay Republicans who have fought for acceptance within the Texas GOP over the past three decades told The Texas Tribune progress has been excruciatingly slow. Many of them have left the party, even as the number of Log Cabin Republicans in Texas continues to grow.
Fed up and fired up: Texas Republicans meet in a climate of mistrust, conspiracy and victimhood
Read full article: Fed up and fired up: Texas Republicans meet in a climate of mistrust, conspiracy and victimhoodFrom a stolen election to the “sexualization” of children to the liberal talking points spouted by mainstream media, activists at the Texas Republican Convention said they felt besieged.
The Texas Republican Party convention starts Thursday. Here’s what we’re watching.
Read full article: The Texas Republican Party convention starts Thursday. Here’s what we’re watching.Every two years, the convention is an opportunity for the GOP’s most devoted members to update its platform, craft its legislative priorities and elect party officers.
Texas law prohibiting social media companies from banning users over their viewpoints reinstated by appeals court
Read full article: Texas law prohibiting social media companies from banning users over their viewpoints reinstated by appeals courtThe court did not evaluate the law on its constitutionality but will allow it to go back into effect while a legal case plays out. Texas lawmakers passed the law, saying social media platforms have an anti-conservative bias.
GOP expands effort for South Texas dominance to local races
Read full article: GOP expands effort for South Texas dominance to local racesIn the weeks before the December filing deadline to run in the March primary election, Project Red Texas traveled South Texas to recruit candidates to run for county offices. The group ended up helping get 125 candidates on the ballot across 25 counties.
As critical race theory and mask mandate debates heat up, Texas GOP takes aim at local school board and municipal races
Read full article: As critical race theory and mask mandate debates heat up, Texas GOP takes aim at local school board and municipal racesThe Republican Party of Texas announced Monday it had launched a new Local Government Committee to work with county parties on backing candidates for nonpartisan local offices.
Allen West, GOP candidate for governor, says he has pneumonia caused by COVID-19
Read full article: Allen West, GOP candidate for governor, says he has pneumonia caused by COVID-19West, the former chair of the state Republican party, tweeted that his oxygen levels are low and he will likely be hospitalized, but says his condition is “not serious.”
Allen West, GOP candidate for governor, calls wife’s DWI arrest in Dallas “insidious”
Read full article: Allen West, GOP candidate for governor, calls wife’s DWI arrest in Dallas “insidious”Angela Graham-West, wife of GOP gubernatorial candidate Allen West, was arrested by Dallas Police Friday night for allegedly driving while intoxicated. Allen West said she hadn’t been drinking, that her three-month-old grandson was in the car with her, and called the arrest “insidious.”
Allen West resigns as chair of Texas Republican Party, says he's mulling statewide run
Read full article: Allen West resigns as chair of Texas Republican Party, says he's mulling statewide runWest declined to say whether he was eyeing any particular statewide office, though he told a radio host earlier Friday morning that the host was "safe" to assume West was mulling a gubernatorial run.
Texas officials speak at Qanon-affiliated event where Trump adviser Michael Flynn encouraged military coup on U.S. government
Read full article: Texas officials speak at Qanon-affiliated event where Trump adviser Michael Flynn encouraged military coup on U.S. governmentTexas GOP Chairman Allen West, Republican U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert and Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller each delivered remarks at the event. Marketing for the event included a logo featuring a cowboy hat with the letters “WWG1WGA” around its band, a QAnon motto.