Killing Reagan: How American Conservatives Replaced Their Heroes With Trump
At a conservative gathering in Texas, two Florida Men are the winners, while the movement itself seems adrift.
Christopher Hooks is a former senior editor at Texas Monthly. Raised in Austin, he has been writing about Texas since 2013, for publications including the Atlantic, Gawker, GQ, Rolling Stone, the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, the Texas Observer, and the Washington Post. For Texas Monthly, he has written about redevelopment battles in El Paso; a congressional race in Amarillo; a wet/dry election in Texarkana; a Black Lives Matter rally in Vidor; and a water sommelier in Harlingen. He is probably currently somewhere between those five points.
At a conservative gathering in Texas, two Florida Men are the winners, while the movement itself seems adrift.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
GOP challengers have announced bids against Greg Abbott, Ken Paxton, and Sid Miller, while a forlorn Democratic party casts its eyes on Matthew McConaughey.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
The outlandish conspiracy theory has made legions of believers into political activists. And the Texas GOP benefits from that.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
A wild year begat an even wilder legislative session. Lawmakers faced blackouts, a pandemic, and their own worst impulses. Amid the chaos, we plucked out the leaders—and the losers.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
Residents of the South Texas beach town say SpaceX’s billionaire owner is ruining their “little piece of heaven.”
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
Plus, Lubbock becomes Texas's largest "sanctuary city for the unborn."
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
You ain’t a cowboy till your stunt double’s been bucked off.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
Our governor and lawmakers want to blame everyone but themselves for the February blackouts, the latest crisis of their own making.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
Lone Star State leaders have worried about transplants importing West Coast values and politics here. But they’ve largely ignored the more pressing challenges newcomers are bringing with them.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
Lawmakers will have their hands full with a budget deficit and the pandemic. Here's what else to watch for this session.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
Texas’s junior senator shares responsibility for inciting the mob that breached the U.S. Capitol. That’s brought him scorn from much of the country—but might win him fresh support from Trump Republicans.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
The rebel salon queen beat Governor Greg Abbott once, but on Saturday, he had the last laugh.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
Facing a bribery allegation and criminal fraud charges, the Texas attorney general is tossing his supporters fresh red meat by leading an attempt to overturn the will of American voters.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
In Dallas, the “Stop the Steal" events were more of a celebration than a wake.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
Texas GOP chairman Allen West is at war with the governor and in love with the camera.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
GOP control of redistricting will cost Democrats for a decade, and out-of-state donors might well decide their money is best spent elsewhere.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
Cornyn's race against MJ Hegar has been relatively sleepy, but that is to the senior senator’s advantage.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
The last year has featured bizarre scandals, lots of bickering, and troubling signs that Tuesday could be rough on the state’s Republican juggernaut.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
The state’s minority party hasn’t had this big an opportunity to shake off its loser mentality in a long, long time.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
For the first time in a decade the Texas House—and influence over redistricting—is in play. Will it slip out of the Democratic party’s grasp once again?
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
State leaders have long tried to correct for the problem of too much democracy. But voters may get the last laugh this election.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
The Texas attorney general has called his 2015 indictment for securities fraud a “witch hunt.” Now, seven of his aides accuse him of corruption.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
The governor’s most recent order on ballot drop-off locations follows a long history of efforts by him and his party to lower voter turnout, and could have an outsized effect on the battle for control of the state House.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
Facing down a potential Democrat-controlled Texas House, the governor has made a hard push to reframe the November election on his terms.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
Both parties’ conventions sidelined politicians from the nation’s second biggest state. They might have had good reason.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
The East Texas Republican tested positive for the coronavirus after refusing to wear a mask—which almost made us forget about his supporters allegedly beating up his opponent’s campaign manager.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
While demonstrators marched in cities and towns across the country, a police union rep, an activist, a legislator, and an attorney sat down to discuss how to break the deadlock and bring about better policing.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
When Texas Republicans gather for their biennial convention, it's usually an impressive show of force. This time, it was an embarrassment.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
The COVID-19 crisis is the predictable result of the governor muddling through things.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
Originally scheduled for May and pushed back because of the coronavirus pandemic, the elections feature a few key races, some scandal-ridden candidates, and many old friends.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
The race to choose a Democratic challenger to John Cornyn has been overshadowed by other news, but it finds the Texas Democratic Party bitterly divided.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
With Donald Trump’s approval rating dropping among his formerly reliable white evangelical base, the administration dispatched the vice president to Robert Jeffress’s First Baptist Church.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
Days after he attended his county party convention, Bill Baker was hospitalized with COVID-19. In three weeks, more than 7,000 Republicans will descend on Houston.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
It’s an unusual and risky campaign strategy: Jackson is trying to appeal primarily to Trump, in the hopes that the voters will follow.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
A month and a half after telling local officials they couldn't mandate masks, the Texas governor congratulated a local official on realizing that, actually, they could.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
It's March 2021 and Democrats are in power again, the state budget is a bloodbath, and the coronavirus stalks the Capitol.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
After GOP leaders in 12 counties posted racist responses to the George Floyd protests, top Republicans declared war on bigotry in their party. It’s not going to be easy.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
The UT professor sees echoes of the past—and hope for the future—in the demonstrations rocking the nation.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
On Saturday, a diverse crowd of 150 showed up in Vidor, once known as a Klan stronghold, to turn their backs on the town's past.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
With a virus-infected economy and an oil bust to boot, the Texas model is facing an unprecedented crisis.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
The resignation of a key election official serves as a warning about the dangers of conducting elections in person during the coronavirus pandemic.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
The Shelley Luther saga gave Texas politicians an excuse to change the conversation, and deflect blame.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
Despite the loud protests, very few Americans are ready to go back to work.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
In the best of times, our politicians can be a frustrating bunch. How are they doing in an unprecedented crisis?
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
The candidate is running in a district that’s home to more Asian Americans than anywhere else in Texas. Her newest campaign ad blames the People's Republic for the coronavirus pandemic.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
The Texas lieutenant governor is among a growing number of politicians who are willing to trade lives to save the economy. It’s a false choice.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
Surprising statements by oil industry leaders have grabbed headlines. But the bigger change is underway more quietly, among young Republicans.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
A high uninsured rate, hospital closures, and poor elder care leave Texas especially vulnerable to a COVID-19 epidemic.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
At a honky-tonk in Dallas, the Democratic party made its move against Bernie—finally.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
Led by a twentysomething Latina, Democrats now run Harris County, offering a glimpse at what things might look like—for better or for worse—if the party finds itself back on top across Texas.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.