Brandon Herrera speaks with attendees at Revolution 2022 hosted by Young Americans for Liberty in Kissimmee, Florida.

With Tony Gonzales out, Dems sense opening against GOP nominee Brandon Herrera

Herrera’s history of brash comments, and the leftward drift of Hispanic voters, has renewed Democrats’ interest in the 23rd Congressional District, which runs from San Antonio to El Paso.

by Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas Tribune March 12, 2026March 12, 2026

Herrera’s history of brash comments, and the leftward drift of Hispanic voters, has renewed Democrats’ interest in the 23rd Congressional District, which runs from San Antonio to El Paso.

State Rep. Steve Toth, R-Conroe, speaks to protesters from Texans for Vaccine Choice as the Texas House convenes a third special legislative session for controversial legislative items at the Texas Capitol in Austin on Sept. 20, 2021.

Texas News

Hardline House Freedom Caucus gains ground in Texas GOP primaries

If they win in November, Steve Toth and Brandon Herrera are poised to join the group known for its conservative absolutist approach and willingness to defy GOP leaders.

by Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas Tribune March 10, 2026March 10, 2026

From left: U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will face off in a runoff.

Texas News

John Cornyn, Ken Paxton advance to runoff to be Republican nominee for U.S. Senate

U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt came in third, missing the runoff which is May 26.

by Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas Tribune March 3, 2026March 4, 2026

Brandon Herrera, Republican candidate for Texas' 23rd Congressional District, speaks at a campaign event at the Angry Elephant in San Antonio on March 14, 2024.

San Antonio News

Trump lawyer sends cease-and-desist letter to Brandon Herrera over use of president’s image in campaign ad

The letter says Herrera’s mailer depicting him next to the president “is inconsistent with President Trump’s unequivocal endorsement” of Rep. Tony Gonzales in the GOP primary for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District.

by Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas Tribune February 13, 2026February 13, 2026

Mourners visit a makeshift memorial at the site where federal agents fatally shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 25, 2026.

Texas News

GOP Sen. Cruz, Rep. McCaul call for investigation after federal agents fatally shoot man in Minneapolis

Other Texas Republicans have called for the Trump administration to double down on sending immigration officers to Minnesota and blamed Democrats for the violence, while others have remained silent.

by Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas Tribune January 27, 2026January 27, 2026

Men offer Eid prayers at the Al-Noor Masjid Islamic Center in Houston on April 21, 2023.

Texas News

Anti-Islam rhetoric takes center stage in Texas Republican primary

As the GOP and its factions debate what constitutes American identity, opposition to Islam has become a key campaign pillar for some Texas Republicans in statewide races and beyond.

by Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas Tribune January 26, 2026January 26, 2026

The U.S. Capitol is seen through a food truck window on April 14, 2022, in Washington.

Texas News

Another exodus in Congress means Texas will need to start rebuilding its clout in 2027

At least 10 Texas incumbents will not be returning to Congress next term, a high-water mark for turnover in the delegation.

by Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas Tribune December 26, 2025December 26, 2025

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, speaks during Fight The Trump Takeover Rally in front of the south steps of the Capitol in Austin on Aug. 16, 2025.

Texas News

Supreme Court’s map ruling sends Texas Democrats toward potential primaries, retirement or higher office bids

Houston Democrats are barreling toward a primary while North Texas Democrats await Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s Senate decision.

by Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas Tribune December 5, 2025December 5, 2025

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a “Take It Back” rally at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 716, on Nov. 8, 2025, in Houston.

Texas News

Texas Republicans started a national redistricting arms race. They may be losing.

With Texas’ new map blocked by a federal court, California Democrats are emerging victorious — though the Supreme Court has yet to weigh in.

by Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas Tribune November 20, 2025November 20, 2025

Attorney Trey Trainor waits for the House Committee on General Investigating and Ethics to resume on Sept. 15, 2015. Trainor was representing Rep. Jonathan Stickland, who was accused of breaking the law by listing witnesses who were not in Austin as supporters of his legislation during a House Transportation Committee hearing.

Texas News

Texas GOP lawyer and former FEC chair Trey Trainor announces run for Chip Roy’s seat in Congress

The longtime GOP operative has spent decades as a lawyer for Texas Republicans and conservative causes.

by Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas Tribune October 6, 2025October 6, 2025

Protesters demonstrate against an earlier attempt by President Donald Trump to gut the ACA.

News

Texas could bear the brunt of expiring ACA tax credits. Is the GOP delegation willing to make a deal?

Democrats in Congress want to renew the Obamacare subsidies as part of any deal to reopen the government. Texas Republicans say the policy needs major reforms.

by Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas Tribune October 3, 2025October 3, 2025

A sign advertises a government shutdown relief loan program outside the United States Senate Federal Credit Union branch office in the Hart Senate Office Building in Washington on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025.

News

The federal government has shut down. Here’s what it means for Texas

Many federal employees are required to continue working without pay, though furloughs — or the usual uptick in workers calling in sick — could disrupt some services.

By Gabby Birenbaum and Marijke Friedman, The Texas TribuneOctober 1, 2025October 1, 2025

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz speaks during a conservative conference.

News

Ted Cruz says conservatives ‘will regret’ Trump’s FCC chairman going after Jimmy Kimmel

The Texas senator compared Brendan Carr’s threat to ABC to that of a mafia boss.

by Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas Tribune September 21, 2025September 21, 2025

Presiding judge Dina Patel checks her watch as she waits for polls to open at Parker Elementary on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Houston.

News

Texas GOP may be banking on low Hispanic turnout in new map

Republicans note that some of the districts they intend to flip were redrawn to become majority-Hispanic. Democrats say the GOP made sure to add Hispanic Texans who are unlikely to vote.

by Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas Tribune September 17, 2025September 17, 2025

A worker installs solar panels on a building.

News

Texas solar program left in limbo after Trump administration pulls the plug on $250 million grant

Texas’ Solar for All program was intended to bring solar panels and batteries to low-income neighborhoods and create jobs by training workers to install the technology.

by Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas Tribune September 11, 2025September 11, 2025

News

Rep. James Talarico mulls U.S. Senate bid as his profile rises amid Texas Democrats’ redistricting standoff

The Democratic state lawmaker has inquired about Senate television ad rates, two sources told the Tribune.

by Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas Tribune August 8, 2025August 13, 2025

News

Tejano singer Bobby Pulido forms exploratory committee for South Texas congressional bid

The Latin Grammy-winning music star is considering challenging Rep. Monica De La Cruz in a district emblematic of the GOP’s gains with Latino voters.

by Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas Tribune July 24, 2025July 28, 2025

News

1.7 million Texans could lose health coverage under expiring tax credits, ACA changes in GOP megabill

Having never expanded Medicaid, Texas avoided most of the looming federal cuts other states will face. But the Affordable Care Act is a different story.

by Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas Tribune July 18, 2025August 21, 2025