Politics & Policy
September 13, 2023
Ted Cruz, John Cornyn, and Other Texans in D.C. Weigh In on Ken Paxton’s Impeachment Trial
Shouldn’t Paxton be present for the proceedings? Best guesses on the outcome? We posed these questions and more.
Ted Cruz
Border & Immigration
September 12, 2023
Who Wore It Best? We Rate Politicians on Their Border Photo Ops
Rick Perry rides a gunboat. Ted Cruz goes militiaman. Ron DeSantis and George P. Bush try their best.
By Forrest Wilder![Forrest Wilder's Profile Photo]()
![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
September 9, 2023
Who Is Carl Sherman, the Latest Democrat Trying to Unseat Ted Cruz?
The Texas state representative and Church of Christ pastor from DeSoto is the third prominent Democrat to enter the race.
News & Politics
August 31, 2023
Cruz Watch: The Senator Enjoys Beer
And he really wants you to know it.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
July 17, 2023
Ted Cruz’s Team Is Confident About 2024. Should It Be?
No Democrat has won a statewide election in Texas since 1994, but Colin Allred and Roland Gutierrez have something working in their favor that Beto O’Rourke didn’t.
Politics & Policy
July 10, 2023
Before Uvalde, Roland Gutierrez Was Just Another State Senator. Now He’s Challenging Ted Cruz.
The state senator was little known until last year, when the massacre in Uvalde, in his district, thrust him into the spotlight.
News & Politics
June 6, 2023
Ted Cruz Argues Against the Execution of Gay People
It’s rare to see a conservative American politician use language such as “horrific and wrong” and “human rights abuse” to describe a law that targets gay people.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
May 19, 2023
Cruz Watch: The Senator Calls for an Investigation Into Bud Light for Some Reason
Ted Cruz wants the Beer Institute, the industry’s self-regulatory body, to investigate whether Bud Light broke the law by reaching out to a transgender influencer.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
May 2, 2023
Who Is Colin Allred, the U.S. Rep Planning to Take on Ted Cruz?
The former Baylor linebacker and NFL player has won the last three elections in his Dallas congressional district.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
April 27, 2023
Opinion: Texas Needs Leadership on Its Student Mental Health Crisis
In my small East Texas town, students are struggling with mental health issues while dealing with the constant threat of gun violence. Little is being done to address either.
Politics & Policy
April 14, 2023
Cruz Watch: The Senator Attempts to Dunk on Pop
Our man picks a fight with a San Antonio icon. Maybe they should settle this on the court—or in the 2024 election?
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
![Ben Rowen's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
March 31, 2023
Greg Abbott, Ted Cruz, and Ken Paxton All Invoked George Soros in Denouncing Trump’s Indictment. Here’s Why That’s a Problem.
The Jewish billionaire has long been the target of antisemitic attacks from the far right. What are Republican leaders signaling when they single him out as the main force behind the former president’s woes?
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
January 5, 2023
Chip Roy, Bless His Heart
The Central Texas representative who is helping block Kevin McCarthy’s ascent to Speaker of the House has a long history of obstructionism.
Bum Steers
December 12, 2022
The 2023 Bum Steer Awards
The dopes, villains, and terrible ideas that bedeviled our beloved state over the past twelve months. (This time, with slightly less Ted Cruz!)
Politics & Policy
October 25, 2022
Ted Cruz Wants to Be Popular. Why Is He So Bad at It?
On Monday’s ‘The View,’ and Sunday in Yankee Stadium, the senator tried again to be relatable and regular—with the usual results.
Health
September 27, 2022
The Effort to Redefine Abortion Goes Beyond Ted Cruz
An abortion to save the life of a pregnant patient is “not an abortion,” according to Texas’s junior senator.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
September 19, 2022
What’s Driving Greg Abbott’s Escalating Migrant Busing Scheme?
The Texas governor’s plan has been adopted by Ron DeSantis in Florida, and it has grown crueler as it spreads.
Politics & Policy
August 12, 2022
The Trump Raid’s Newest Victim: The Texas GOP
After the FBI searched Mar-a-Lago, state Republicans near-unanimously lined up behind the former president—before details of the investigation left them silent.
Politics & Policy
August 8, 2022
In Dallas, Donald Trump Provided a Violent Blueprint for Seizing Power
In a week marked by militant rhetoric at CPAC—including Ted Cruz’s promise to “fight the barbarians”—the former president vowed to inflict a “crippling defeat” on his enemies.
Politics & Policy
July 7, 2022
After the Gun Bill, John Cornyn Is Now Less Popular Than Ted Cruz
Big John’s approval rating has taken a serious blow in the month after the Uvalde shooting—driven largely by Republicans and independents.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
May 27, 2022
Most Texas Republican Politicians Avoided the NRA Convention in Houston. But Democrats Poured In.
John Cornyn and Dan Patrick pulled out after Uvalde. Greg Abbott appeared by video. As Ted Cruz spoke, Beto O’Rourke led a protest.
Politics & Policy
May 27, 2022
What Texas GOP Leadership Has (and Has Not) Said in the Days Following Uvalde
“We need to stop the bad guys.” —Ted Cruz
Politics & Policy
May 27, 2022
“It Will Happen Again”: Texas Leaders Have No Plans to Prevent the Next Uvalde
Defenders of limitless guns are out of ideas but full of excuses.
Politics & Policy
February 21, 2022
Marjorie Taylor Greene, Madison Cawthorn, and Mike Lindell Walk Into the Houston ’Burbs
The three Trumpian firebrands came to support U.S. House candidate Christian Collins, whose primary run is dividing prominent Republicans.
Politics & Policy
December 14, 2021
2022 Bum Steer of the Year Runner-up: Ted Cruz
Ted Cruz had a very, very, very bad year. Maybe he’ll blame it on his daughters.
Film & TV
April 30, 2021
Is Randy Quaid Serious About Running for California Governor? His Tweet Sounds Like It.
Plus: Texas transplants Elon Musk and Joe Rogan attract yet more controversy, Ted Cruz gets into it with ‘The Daily Show,’ and Selena Gomez explores her dark side.
Arts & Entertainment
March 9, 2021
A Dallas Piñata Shop Artfully Renders Viral Memes and Politicians in Papier-mâché
“Sometimes I think the adults get more fun out of hitting piñatas than the kids do,” one of the owners says.
By Cat Cardenas![Cat Cardenas's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
March 2, 2021
Ted Cruz’s Attempt to Court Trump’s Base Meets a Predictable Obstacle: Trump
In a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Texas’s junior senator tossed red meat but was overshadowed by the former president.
Politics & Policy
February 18, 2021
Steve and Ted’s Excellent Adventures
Austin’s mayor, Steve Adler, and the state’s junior senator, Ted Cruz, are the latest Texas politicians to take ill-considered vacations.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
February 18, 2021
13 Curses to Mutter Against Ted Cruz While You Boil Snow to Drink
May you make direct eye contact with your neighbor during your yard pee.
Politics & Policy
February 6, 2021
Ted Cruz Is Courting Trump’s Base. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Says He’s Doomed to Fail.
Supporters of the 45th president might not forget his contentious history with Texas’s junior senator.
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2021
After Standing Up to Ted Cruz and Donald Trump, Congressman Chip Roy Faces an Uncertain Future in the Texas GOP
Some Republicans expect Roy to pay a political price for upholding the Constitution, and Cruz to emerge stronger than ever.
Politics & Policy
January 12, 2021
No, the Mandalorian Did Not “Dox” Ted Cruz
Pedro Pascal, star of the Disney Plus series ‘The Mandalorian,’ shared the junior senator’s office number on Twitter.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
January 11, 2021
The Texas GOP Returns to Its Favorite Pastime: Infighting
With state government more firmly in Republican hands, the next year will feature a return of the Republican civil war. Here are the skirmishes to watch for.
Politics & Policy
January 8, 2021
American Democracy Survived Ted Cruz’s Demagoguery—This Time
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.
Film & TV
June 19, 2020
Ted Cruz Picks a Fight With Hellboy
Plus, Elijah Wood vs. Ted Bundy, Cinemark vs. the future of moviegoing, and Beyoncé vs. Lizzo vs. Megan Thee Stallion at the BET Awards.
Politics & Policy
April 23, 2020
Bull Session—Dan Patrick Repeats: Let’s Get Busy Living (And Get Busy Dying)
Plus, Ted Cruz says skateboarding is not a crime, and Dan Crenshaw becomes the cool face of the GOP’s coronavirus response.
Politics & Policy
April 9, 2020
Bull Session: Ted Cruz Says the Press Is “Giddy With Glee” Over Pandemic
Plus, Texas pols take pains to prove they’re still working, Rick Perry finds a new calling, and more.
Politics & Policy
April 2, 2020
Bull Session: We Could All Use a Distraction
Texas politicians, from Ted Cruz to Briscoe Cain, are riding out the coronavirus with movies and TV, like the rest of us.
Politics & Policy
March 12, 2020
Bull Session: Ted Cruz and Louie Gohmert Split Over the Coronavirus
Plus, Michael Cloud takes on the disease of California, and what’s Rodney Ellis doing with that squirrel?
Politics & Policy
February 20, 2020
Bull Session: Ted Cruz Says Keep Your Laws Off His Body
Dan Patrick calls the Paw Patrol, and Dan Crenshaw sticks it to Nickelback
Politics & Policy
February 13, 2020
Bull Session: Dan Crenshaw and Briscoe Cain Make Election Season Weird
Plus, lessons in personal branding from Ted Cruz, and Pete Olson
Politics & Policy
January 30, 2020
Bull Session: Ted Cruz Rides Impeachment to the Top of the Podcast Charts
Plus, Ken Starr is pulled out of retirement, Pete Olson visits Sesame Street, and Vicente Gonzalez desperately needs a celebrity.
Politics & Policy
December 26, 2019
The Last Decade’s Ten Worst Years in Texas Politics
We stumble down memory lane, gawking at the madness and the mayhem of 2010–2019—and looking for an off-ramp.
Politics & Policy
December 12, 2019
Bull Session: Ted Cruz and Louie Gohmert Bring Comedy and Tragedy to Impeachment
Plus, Dan Crenshaw goes full-on Krusty the Clown, and a new Bush has entered the game.
Sports
October 7, 2019
Ted Cruz and Beto O’Rourke Are Both Pretty Disgusted About the NBA Pandering to China
Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey tweeted support for protesters in Hong Kong, and all hell broke loose—in ways that even united the two rivals.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
September 27, 2019
The Texas Politicians Who Have Rallied to Trump’s Defense, From the Gutsy to the Gutless
Impeachment is serious business. And so is the political calculating that goes into how to respond.
Politics & Policy
September 13, 2019
The Six Texas Politicians Addicted to Twitter—For Better or Worse
A decidedly unscientific appraisal of why the hell they bother.
The National Podcast of Texas
September 9, 2019
Ted Cruz Talks Gun Control, Political Civility, Alex Jones, and President Trump’s Tweets
This week on the National Podcast of Texas, a freewheeling conversation with Texas’s junior senator.
Politics & Policy
July 12, 2019
Even Trump Wouldn’t Follow Advice from Ted Cruz and Chip Roy to Ignore the Supreme Court
Congressman Roy and Senator Cruz urged Trump to print the census with a citizenship question despite a Supreme Court ruling. That would’ve been a dangerous precedent.