All articles tagged with #texas senate
State Rep. James Talarico raised $6.2 million in three weeks for his Texas Senate bid, surpassing his rival Colin Allred's three-month total of $4.1 million, establishing him as a strong contender early in the race with broad grassroots support.
Texas Senate Democrats walked out in protest of a redistricting map that favors Republicans, which was passed by the Senate but faces challenges in the House and upcoming special sessions, highlighting ongoing partisan conflicts over electoral boundaries.
Texas State Senator Angela Paxton has filed for divorce from her husband, Attorney General Ken Paxton, citing biblical grounds after 38 years of marriage, amid ongoing political and personal controversies including Ken Paxton's impeachment trial and allegations of infidelity and abuse of office.
Texas State Senator Angela Paxton filed for divorce from her husband, Attorney General Ken Paxton, citing biblical grounds amid recent personal and political controversies, including Ken Paxton's impeachment trial and allegations of infidelity, which have attracted national political attention.
Retired NASA astronaut Terry Virts announced his run for the Texas Senate seat, criticizing both parties and emphasizing a need for new leadership, especially in opposition to Trump and the current Democratic establishment, positioning himself as a 'common sense Democrat' aiming to energize Texas Democrats for the 2026 elections.
Terry Virts, a former NASA astronaut, announced his bid for the U.S. Senate in Texas as a Democrat, criticizing the Democratic establishment and highlighting his military and space background. He is the first Democrat to enter the race for the seat held by Republican Sen. John Cornyn, amid a potentially crowded primary field, with other Democrats considering runs. Virts also criticized Republican candidates and the current political landscape in Texas.
Molly Cook has narrowly defeated Jarvis Johnson in the Democratic primary runoff for Texas Senate District 15, securing her position to hold the seat previously occupied by Houston Mayor John Whitmire. Cook, an emergency room nurse and community organizer, is the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the Texas Senate. Johnson has not conceded, citing outstanding mail-in and provisional ballots. Cook will face Republican Joseph L. Trahan in the November election, though the district is considered a safe Democratic seat.
Congressman Colin Allred easily won the Democratic primary for the Texas Senate seat, posing a serious challenge to Republican incumbent Ted Cruz in the November election. While Cruz is considered the favorite, polls suggest a close race, with Allred outraising Cruz and some surveys indicating a neck-and-neck competition. Allred's victory speech emphasized the need for unity, while forecasters give Cruz a clear edge. The outcome of the Texas Senate race could have significant implications for control of the upper chamber.
Representative Colin Allred, a Dallas-area Democrat and former N.F.L. linebacker-turned-civil rights lawyer, won the Democratic primary race for the U.S. Senate, positioning himself to challenge Senator Ted Cruz. Allred, who presented himself as an across-the-aisle politician with a working-class background, faces steep odds in the general election, as no Democrat has won a statewide office in Texas since the 1990s. He has focused his campaign on criticizing Cruz and has attracted significant interest from donors, out-raising his closest opponent in the race.
Texas Sen. Drew Springer, who previously voted to acquit Attorney General Ken Paxton of impeachment charges, is now calling for the Senate to reconsider impeachment after Paxton's recent legal maneuvers in a whistleblower lawsuit. Springer accuses Paxton of possibly misleading the Senate and exposing taxpayers to a $3.3 million settlement. Paxton's attempts to settle the lawsuit and block his deposition have raised concerns among some senators, including Democrat Sarah Eckhardt. Paxton, who has maintained his innocence, is scheduled to be deposed on Feb. 1.
Republican state senator Drew Springer, who previously voted to acquit Attorney General Ken Paxton in his impeachment trial, has called for the Texas Senate to consider reopening the proceedings following Paxton's decision not to contest the whistleblower lawsuit. Springer expressed concern that Paxton's actions could undermine the Senate's credibility and criticized Paxton for potentially burdening taxpayers with a settlement. Despite Paxton's recent reversal, he still faces a deposition in the lawsuit, and Springer's letter comes as he is freer from political consequences due to not seeking reelection.
Republican U.S. Representative Pat Fallon is leaving Congress to run for his former seat in the Texas Senate. Fallon filed for Senate District 30, which became open after the incumbent, Senator Drew Springer, announced he would not seek reelection. Fallon, who quickly gained the support of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, expressed the importance of ensuring Texas remains successful. The solidly Republican district stretches from the Dallas-Fort Worth suburbs to the Oklahoma state line. Fallon's decision creates a vacancy in Texas' 4th Congressional District.
The Texas Senate has passed all its priority bills for the fourth special session, including voucher legislation and border security funding. However, the fate of school vouchers remains uncertain as the House is still negotiating on its education priorities. A special House committee has begun a two-day hearing on an education package that includes education savings accounts. The Senate bills, which satisfy Governor Greg Abbott's agenda, include a proposed voucher bill, a school finance bill, and a border security funding bill. The Senate's progress contrasts with the gridlock in the House over school vouchers.
Critics of the acquittal of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in his impeachment trial are accusing Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick of rigging the trial, while Patrick denies the allegations. House Speaker Dade Phelan wrote an op-ed accusing Patrick of bias, prompting a lengthy response from Patrick on Twitter. Some GOP senators are circulating a statement defending Patrick's role and denying his influence over jury deliberations. Meanwhile, Paxton has returned to work and his allies are calling for Phelan's resignation. The impeachment trial has deepened divisions within the Texas GOP.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has requested a full financial audit of the impeachment proceedings against Attorney General Ken Paxton in Texas. Patrick wants the state auditor to determine the total amount of expenditures, encumbrances, and future unpaid obligations related to the trial. This request comes after Paxton was acquitted of all impeachment charges. The audit aims to detail all expenses, including those for investigators, travel, food, and lodging. The request follows a contentious relationship between the House and Senate, as well as the Texas GOP's far-right and slightly-more-moderate wings.