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Politics & Elections

Assclown Alert: Getting what you wish for with the Texas Republican Party

The Texas GOP bears responsibility for Brandon 'AK Guy' Herrera's surprise runoff with incumbent U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales.

By Sanford Nowlin

May 2, 2024

Assclown Alert is a column of opinion, analysis and snark. Although it's a pain in the ass to be an incumbent dragged into a runoff, it's a good bet U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales is feeling some serious schadenfreude as he watches top GOP elected officials line up behind him instead of his runoff opponent — a shambling mess of a candidate the Texas Republican Party helped create...

Brandon "AK Guy" Herrera is running against incumbent U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales to represent a South Texas district that includes a portion of San Antonio.

Manny Pelaez may have an early jump on San Antonio's mayoral election, but it's still wide open

Political observers say Pelaez's missteps and voters' thirst for an outside candidate make the next election hard to predict.

By Michael Karlis
Apr 18, 2024
To Texas With Love: What Russia's support of TEXIT tells us about the frayed nature of U.S. politics

Russian bots are among the most vocal supporters of 'TEXIT' on social media. It's not the first time they've spread online comments on Texas politics.

By Michael Karlis
Feb 22, 2024
Bexar DA Joe Gonzales' dealings with outside group not alarming, experts say

Critics blasted the DA for seeking messaging advice from reform group Wren Collective, but legal experts say prosecutors talk to outside organizations all the time.

By Sanford Nowlin
Feb 21, 2024
Texas Nationalist Movement is threatening to sue state GOP for leaving 'TEXIT' off primary ballot

Despite its rabid support from fringe groups, Texas secession is a legal pipe dream, experts say.

By Michael Karlis
Jan 11, 2024
San Antonio Councilman Mario Bravo’s loss shows constituents think he failed to deliver

In most other elections, one-term incumbent Bravo's 41%-59% loss to education consultant and political newcomer Sukh Kaur would have come as a surprise. But this race was different.

By Michael Karlis
Jun 13, 2023
Cityscrapes: San Antonio's term limits constrain leaders' ability to address real city problems

This election cycle's limited choices for mayor is a direct result of term limits that San Antonio voters opted for in 1991.

By Heywood Sanders
May 3, 2023
Dallas Democrat Colin Allred officially announces run against U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz

Allred, a former NFL linebacker, landed his congressional seat via a 2018 upset victory over Republican incumbent Pete Sessions.

By Sanford Nowlin
May 3, 2023
Dallas Congressman Colin Allred reportedly ready to challenge Ted Cruz for his Senate seat

The news breaks two weeks after a report that San Antonio State Sen. Roland Gutierrez is also mulling a challenge to Cruz.

By Sanford Nowlin
May 2, 2023
Despite the governor's voucher pitch, the answer to better Texas schools is more public funding

'It's impossible for a state to, in the long term, stand up and maintain two education systems,' said Michigan State University Professor Joshua Cowen.

By Michael Karlis
Apr 21, 2023
Ballot Blockers: Texas Republicans aren't done trying to keep voters away from the polls

GOP lawmakers are couching their bills as efforts to boost election security even though Texas has some of the most restrictive voting rules of any state.

By Sanford Nowlin
Feb 22, 2023
Savvy San Antonio political operator Trish DeBerry may have become her own worst enemy

While long perceived as a moderate and a disciplined political operator, DeBerry has emerged as a wild card in the campaign for Bexar County judge.

By Sanford Nowlin
Nov 2, 2022
Beto O’Rourke to hold virtual organizer meetings while recovering from bacterial Infection

The Democratic candidate will hold the virtual zoom meetings on Monday evening to launch a pair of new organizer coalitions.

By Jake Fortune Jake Fortune
Aug 29, 2022
Bad Takes: Ted Cruz goes race baiting after Biden pledges to put Black woman on Supreme Court

By Kevin Sanchez
Feb 12, 2022
Bad Takes: Ineptitude and corruption explain Democrats' recent losses, not 'wokeness'

By Kevin Sanchez
Nov 9, 2021
Republican Lujan, Democrat Ramirez head to runoff in election to fill San Antonio's District 118

By Sanford Nowlin
Sep 29, 2021
Tony Gonzales, Haunted Oaks: The top 10 headlines in San Antonio this week

By San Antonio Current Staff
Sep 24, 2021
Despite winning Texas in 2020, Donald Trump demands Gov. Abbott prioritize election audit

By Sanford Nowlin
Sep 23, 2021
Bad Takes: Stop blaming Jill Stein. She saved Obamacare and Joe Biden's ass

By Kevin Sanchez
Sep 13, 2021
Assclown Alert: Replaying the 2020 election with Texas State Sen. Paul Bettencourt

By Sanford Nowlin
Sep 9, 2021
San Antonio State Rep. Ina Minjarez: Texas Democrats making voting-rights progress in D.C.

By Sanford Nowlin
Jul 22, 2021

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