Oil tycoon funds far-right candidate challenging Texas oilfield regulator

Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright led the agency’s efforts to reform oilfield waste rules. Oil billionaires are now backing Bo French to unseat him.

by Martha Pskowski, Inside Climate News April 16, 2026April 16, 2026

State Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, left, listens as Ipsum General Contractors owner Ruben Mercado Jr. speaks at a press conference about a lawsuit against the state comptroller's office, at the Capitol in Austin on Monday, March 2, 2026.

Texas News

Judge temporarily allows women, minority-owned businesses to qualify for Texas HUB program again

A judge has sided against the state after acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock stripped women- and minority-owned businesses of their Historically Underutilized Business certifications in December.

By Paul Cobler and Ayden RunnelsApril 14, 2026April 14, 2026

The United States Supreme Court is seen on May 18, 2024 in Washington, D.C.

Texas News

Texas’ GOP attorney general candidates want to challenge decades-old Supreme Court rulings

Emboldened by overturning Roe v. Wade, conservative legal groups hope Ken Paxton’s successor will help them overturn gay marriage and public school access for undocumented students.

by Eleanor Klibanoff, The Texas Tribune April 13, 2026April 13, 2026

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks during the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s annual policy summit at the AT&T Executive Hotel & Conference Center in Austin on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

Texas News

Dan Patrick says GOP will ‘have a tough time’ holding Texas House majority in November

The lieutenant governor’s remarks are the latest sign that Republicans are worried about the fall midterms. The GOP has controlled the state House since 2003 and currently has an 88-62 advantage.

by Alejandro Serrano, The Texas Tribune April 9, 2026April 9, 2026

Illustrated posters reading “We Belong Here” sit on the Capitol’s rotunda floor during Texas Students for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s protest of anti-DEI initiatives for public universities, on Mar. 23, 2023. One responsibility of the new Office of the Ombudsman is to investigate allegations that anti-DEI laws have been broken.

Texas News

This state agency was created to investigate Texas universities. How that works is a mystery.

Office of the Ombudsman has no written policies on how to investigate allegations that education laws are being broken, even though it’s been accepting complaints for three months.

by Jessica Priest April 3, 2026April 3, 2026

Gov. Greg Abbott shows off his best beady-eyed squint at the 2024 Republican Convention.

Texas News

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott pulls just 1% in presidential straw poll at Dallas CPAC

For all the conjecture that Abbott is eyeing the White House, numbers from this week’s conservative conference suggest there’s little excitement about him running.

by Sanford Nowlin April 2, 2026April 2, 2026

The Texas Capitol is shown on March 19, 2026.

Texas News

Texas is cutting undocumented immigrants off from school, work and driving

The sweeping rule changes, all enacted outside the typical legislative process, have upended life for noncitizens, including those who are here legally.

by Alejandro Serrano and Eleanor Klibanoff, The Texas Tribune April 2, 2026April 2, 2026

San Antonio News

Analysis: Rep. Chip Roy’s latest Islamophobic outburst reeks of desperation

Roy’s tiresome torrent of Islamophobic screeds show just how little he has to offer as a policymaker.

by Sanford Nowlin April 1, 2026April 1, 2026

Both Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows have put "preventing Sharia law” on their list of legislative priorities. Gosh, we feel safer already.

Texas News

Assclown Alert: Playing a tired, racist game with the ‘Sharia Free Texas Caucus’

The Constitution bars courts from using religious doctrine to decide cases — so why are Texas Republicans obsessed with Sharia law? Could it be, gasp, a distraction?

by Sanford Nowlin March 31, 2026March 31, 2026

Texas News

Feds once again ask Ken Paxton to explain illegal contributions to his Senate campaign

The Federal Election Commission’s latest letter questioning Paxton’s campaign contributions comes as he closes in on a May 26 runoff with U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.

by Sanford Nowlin March 26, 2026March 26, 2026

From left: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and state Comptroller Kelly Hancock during Paxton's September 2023 impeachment trial on the Senate floor at the Austin Capitol.

News

Ken Paxton calls acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock ‘loser,’ calls for his removal amid grudge match

In a Tuesday letter, Hancock criticized the attorney general for not using all the tools at his disposal to go after groups he says are affiliated with Muslim terrorist groups.

by Eleanor Klibanoff, The Texas Tribune March 25, 2026

Drag Queen Brigitte Bandit performs during a Fight The Trump Takeover Rally at the south side steps of the Capitol on Aug. 16, 2025.

Texas News

Texas’ drag show ban takes effect after years of court challenges

A federal court cleared the way for Senate Bill 12, which prohibits drag performances on public property or in front of children, to take effect Wednesday.

by Alex Nguyen, The Texas Tribune March 19, 2026March 19, 2026

How low will U.S. Sen. John Cornyn go for Trump's endorsement?

Texas News

Analysis: Sen. John Cornyn can’t grovel low enough for Trump’s endorsement

The Texas Republican, a longtime supporter of Senate filibuster, now wants the rule repealed because — you guessed it — Trump wants it gone.

by Sanford Nowlin March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is big mad at Tucker Carlson.

News

Ted Cruz gets his panties in a wad after Tucker Carlson dares to criticize Trump’s war in Iran

Cruz and the former Fox talking head, once allies, have been taking cheap shots at each other since last summer.

by Sanford Nowlin March 10, 2026March 10, 2026

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

Voters stand in line at the Cody Branch Library polling location on primary election day in San Antonio on March 3, 2026.

Texas News

Texas primary voters smash recent midterm turnout records

Turnout in the Democratic primary outpaced that on the Republican side for the first time since 2020, a notable distinction given the draw of high-profile Senate primaries in both parties.

by Apurva Mahajan and Alejandro SerranoMarch 5, 2026March 5, 2026

U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales is stepping down from Congress.

San Antonio News

House Speaker asks Rep. Tony Gonzales to end reelection bid

The request from Republican congressional leadership comes a day after the San Antonio congressman admitted to an affair with a late staffer during an interview.

by Sanford Nowlin March 5, 2026March 5, 2026

Assclown Alert

Assclown Alert: Bringing the culture war to the Texas Comptroller’s Office with Don Huffines

It’s hard to imagine Huffines, a former state senator and far-right clickbait machine, taking the job seriously.

by Sanford Nowlin March 3, 2026March 3, 2026

U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, right, Democratic primary candidate for U.S. Senate, answers a question during a debate at the 2026 Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention in Georgetown on Jan. 24, 2026. Her opponent, state Rep. James Talarico, looks on.

Texas News

Republican meddling roils Senate Democratic primary in final days

A super PAC supporting James Talarico is running ads online warning that the GOP is ‘boosting’ Jasmine Crockett. Her spokesperson said Republicans ‘who underestimate her do so at their own peril.’

by Patrick Svitek and Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas TribuneMarch 2, 2026March 2, 2026

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn leaves after a 2024 meeting of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Texas News

Insiders in U.S. Sen. John Cornyn’s campaign predict embarrassing loss to Paxton

Cornyn insiders told Cook Political Report they have ‘moved past the early stages of grief and are approaching more of a sullen acceptance’ that he can’t close the deal.

by Sanford Nowlin February 27, 2026February 27, 2026