Politics & Policy
April 4, 2014
She Works (As?) Hard for the Money
A response to Texas Monthly's coverage of the equal pay debate.
Wendy Davis
Latest
51-100 of 107 Articles
Politics & Policy
March 24, 2014
The Truth About Equal Pay
Wendy Davis and the Democrats are on the attack about the Lilly Ledbetter Act, but would the bill have addressed the problem?
Politics & Policy
March 7, 2014
Bio Hazard
Campaigns get complicated when politics and gender collide. Just ask Wendy Davis.
Politics & Policy
February 21, 2014
Behind the Curtain With Wendy Davis
After months of campaign stumbles, does Team Wendy have what it takes to right the ship? An exclusive insider’s look at the strategy, drama, dysfunction, and determination of the Democrats’ most famous hope.
News & Politics
February 17, 2014
The Revolt Against Crony Capitalism
Rick Perry’s approach to economic development is being challenged by candidates from both parties. But history shows that Perry is only conducting business as usual.
Politics & Policy
February 12, 2014
Splitting Hairs on Abortion Restrictions
What Wendy Davis really thinks about abortion.
Politics & Policy
February 7, 2014
Wendy Davis and Open Carry
Was Wendy Davis smart to embrace open carry? I think not. In the end, a lot more of her core constituency will be disappointed than will be elated. And I don’t see that she has much to gain. Greg Abbott long ago wrapped up the support of the
Politics & Policy
February 3, 2014
Blue Skies Smiling at Me
Yes, there is good news for the Democrats in 2014.
Politics & Policy
February 3, 2014
Clichés on the Campaign Trail
The bad news for Texans is that 2014 is shaping up in the most predictable way.
Politics & Policy
January 29, 2014
Advice for Wendy Davis
It's time to move away from biography and on to the issues that matter to Texans.
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2014
The Problems of Wendy Davis
The missteps aren't just by the candidate. They are by the campaign.
Politics & Policy
January 20, 2014
Primary Lessons
If 2014 is the year everything is supposed to change in Texas politics, why do the campaigns feel so irrelevant?
Politics & Policy
January 9, 2014
Daughter of the Republic
Cecile Richards on abortion, women in office, and how Wendy Davis is different from her mom.
Politics & Policy
December 9, 2013
Wendy Davis Emerges
Wendy Davis jumps into two contentious issues--not a moment too soon for her campaign.
Politics & Policy
November 27, 2013
Where’s Wendy (Part II)?
For the second time this election season, I have to ask: Where's Wendy Davis?
Politics & Policy
November 22, 2013
The Political Outlook For 2014
Texas politics in 2014 is certain to be interesting.
Politics & Policy
November 18, 2013
Where’s Wendy?
The gubernatorial candidate hasn't been seen much on the campaign trail.
Politics & Policy
November 5, 2013
Prominent Texans Who Have Struggled To Vote Under Texas’s New Voter ID Law
The voter ID law that went into effect this year remains controversial—and the subject of a federal lawsuit. Even some Texas legislators have had trouble with it.
Politics & Policy
November 5, 2013
The Most Important Finding in the UT/Texas Tribune Poll
Democrats are understandably delirious over the finding in the UT/Texas Tribune Poll that Wendy Davis trails Greg Abbott by single digits. But that is not the most significant finding in the poll.The most significant finding is that “the fundamentals of Texas politics have not changed,” says pollster Jim
Politics & Policy
November 4, 2013
The UT/Texas Tribune Poll
No one should be surprised by the numbers for the governor's race in the new UT-Texas Tribune Poll, which show Abbott with a single-digit lead over Wendy Davis.
Politics & Policy
October 29, 2013
Here’s What’s Going On With The Abortion Law Ruling Right Now
HB2, the law that placed severe restrictions on abortion access in Texas, went to court this month—and one important provision was found unconstitutional yesterday. While national outlets reported that the whole bill had been overturned, this isn't true, and the office of Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott filed an emergency
Politics & Policy
October 28, 2013
The Challenges Ahead for Wendy Davis
What are the main challenges for the Wendy Davis campaign? Aside from the basic math of a statewide election, that is? Well, according to one trusted Democratic operative, the biggest is “to get everyone to swim in the same direction.” For instance, should Battleground Texas give up its identity and
Burka Blog
October 9, 2013
Yahoo! News on Wendy Davis
A new Yahoo! politics piece on the battle antiabortion activists are waging against Wendy Davis.
Politics & Policy
October 7, 2013
Why Wendy Shouldn’t Run
Texas is not winnable by Democrats at this point in its political evolution.
Politics & Policy
October 3, 2013
Liveblogging The Wendy Davis Announcement
Wendy Davis is making a mysterious announcement (that she's running for Governor) in Haltom City today. Keep up with the announcement right here.
Politics & Policy
October 2, 2013
What It Takes
After months of anticipation, the most interesting Texas gubernatorial contest in decades will (probably) start Thursday. Does Wendy Davis have a chance?
Politics & Policy
October 1, 2013
Jerry’s Daughter
Among the many Texans transfixed by Wendy Davis's June 25th filibuster was her father, Jerry Russell. In July, he shared some memories about Davis's childhood, her challenges, and what he was thinking on the day that shook up Texas's political scene.
The Daily Post
September 30, 2013
Who Said What At The Texas Tribune Festival
Greg Abbott, Wendy Davis, Ted Cruz, David Dewhurst, and more engaged in hour-long interview and Q&A sessions at this weekend's Texas Tribune Festival. Here's what they said.
Politics & Policy
September 18, 2013
Davis Hints at Future Plans
Wendy Davis announces she has a "big announcement" set for October 3.
Politics & Policy
September 17, 2013
The Great Right Hope
Whether she loses small or loses big, Wendy Davis could save the Texas GOP.
Politics & Policy
August 19, 2013
After Wendy, What?
It's looking increasingly likely that Wendy Davis will run for governor in 2014. But still, the paucity of credible candidates for other statewide offices is a real problem for Democrats.
Politics & Policy
July 15, 2013
Capitol Gains
Politics can usually be described along the same lines as that old cliché about the weather: if you don’t like it, just wait five minutes and it’ll change. The will of the electorate is fickle, as constant in its attachment to any particular politician as to any particular variety of breakfast
Politics & Policy
July 12, 2013
The Life and Death (and Life?) of the Party
After ruling the state for a century, Texas Democrats were gradually reduced to irrelevance. Is the reawakening at hand?
Politics & Policy
July 8, 2013
Rick Perry’s Long Goodbye
Rick Perry isn't running for re-election in 2014
Politics & Policy
July 3, 2013
The Wet Blanket
Following the filibuster by Wendy Davis, I wrote a cautionary post on Burkablog in which I pointed out that the euphoria that flourished in the wake of her memorable performance was not a game-changer; that Democrats would be wise to keep their enthusiasm in check, lest they raise
Politics & Policy
July 1, 2013
Special Delivery
On the first day of the second special session, activists on both sides of the abortion debate arrived at the Capitol to make their voices heard.
Politics & Policy
July 1, 2013
Where Does Wendy Davis Go From Here?
As Act II of the Wendy Davis show returns to the Capitol, the Democratic state senator has become an instant national star thanks to her filibuster against the Republicans' abortion legislation last week. What happens next?
Politics & Policy
June 30, 2013
Wendy Davis on Three Sunday Shows
Senator Wendy Davis continued her national media blitz on Sunday with appearances on CBS' Face the Nation, ABC's This Week, and NBC's Meet the Press.
Politics & Policy
June 26, 2013
What the Filibuster Means
The obvious question about whether the Democrats have a candidate in Davis who has the potential to break the party's long losing streak in statewide races is hard to answer.
Politics & Policy
June 26, 2013
A Bill is Killed; A Star is Born
With all the strange things that happened during Wendy Davis's filibuster, there's one point that has gone almost unnoticed.
Politics & Policy
May 14, 2013
Love + Photo ID = Marriage?
Senator Donna Campbell puts a new twist on the debate over photo ID: You can't say "I do" until you show the proper form of identification.
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2013
Election Night: Ten Takeaways
Cruz cruises, Wendy Davis holds on, Pete Gallego scores an upset, Karl Rove gets cranky, and six other election highlights from around the state and country.
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2013
Wendy Davis on Rachel Maddow’s Show
State senator Wendy Davis discussed the attempted arson at her office and Texas politics in general on the MSNBC show.
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2013
Who Firebombed Wendy Davis’s Office?
Update: Fort Worth police have arrested a 40 year-old homeless man for arson in Tuesday's firebombing of the Democratic state senator's Fort Worth office.
Politics & Policy
February 15, 2012
Davis tweets: victory in SD 10
“Senate District 10 partners victorious in preserving&strengthening ’08 district. Lege damage repaired. Thanks to all who supported&believed.” [tweeted @ 1:33 p.m.] * * * * Just pointing out the obvious: The saving of Davis’s seat could take on added significance if senators choose the successor to Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst.
Politics & Policy
November 17, 2011
The Interim Redistricting Maps Are Revealed
Instead of drawing you a map, how about a few shortcuts? Here are the key takeaways of what Thursday’s interim redistricting maps mean for our elected officials.
Burka Blog
June 16, 2011
The Best & Worst Legislators Explained
I have been involved in nineteen of the twenty previous articles, and I cannot recall a more difficult year when it came to selecting the members on both lists.
Politics & Policy
June 2, 2011
R.G.’s Take: Did the Davis filibuster do more harm than good?
[Editors note: an earlier version of this post incorrectly stated that the Texas Association of School Administrators and the Texas Association of School Boards were among the groups that met with Senator Royce West last weekend to discuss the school finance plan. Neither TASA nor TASB were present at a
Politics & Policy
May 30, 2011
Could It Get Worse?
After last night’s dramatic play by Senator Davis, the calculation this morning seems to be: Will the Dems fare better or worse in a special? There is still time to undo the maneuver, if six Democrats join the Rs in a 4/5 vote to suspend the rules today. Perry’s spokesperson
Politics & Policy
May 30, 2011
Perry threatens to veto Senate redistricting bill
I heard about the threat from a Democratic senator. The veto would be retribution for the Wendy Davis’s filibuster that killed the school finance bill and forced a special session, which Perry did not want. If the Legislature fails to pass a redistricting bill during the regular session, the task