Politics & Policy
September 20, 2018
Navigating the Disparate Results of Political Polls—A How-to Guide
Polling methodology and assumptions can create voter confusion over which political poll to trust.
2018 Elections
Politics & Policy
September 19, 2018
The Texas Hispanic Vote Is No Guarantee for Democrats. Here’s Why.
Two setbacks in state politics this week suggest Democrats should not take this bloc for granted.
Politics & Policy
September 19, 2018
The Texas Democratic Party Has Lost the Ability to Sell Its Brand
In a stunning upset, Republican Pete Flores defeated Democrat Pete Gallego in a district Hillary Clinton won in 2016.
Politics & Policy
September 18, 2018
Ted Cruz Takes a Nine-Point Lead Over Beto O’Rourke in New Poll
Undecided voters finally developed an opinion of O’Rourke—and it is unfavorable.
Politics & Policy
September 18, 2018
These Are The Rural Texas Voters Enthusiastically Supporting Ted Cruz
Despite a sense of Beto-mania in other parts of the state, voters in rural Gonzales, where the Texas Revolution began, enthusiastically cheer the incumbent.
Music
September 15, 2018
In Our Hyper-Political Times, Even Willie Nelson No Longer Unifies Us
The Red-Headed Stranger announced he’d be playing a rally for Beto O’Rourke. What happened next was predictable.
Film & TV
September 14, 2018
Documentary ‘Run Like the Devil’ Casts a New Light on the Cruz-O’Rourke Race
Austin filmmaker Steve Mims shows why (in some decidedly non-political ways) Ted Cruz and Beto O'Rourke aren't so different after all.
Politics & Policy
September 11, 2018
Are Some Republicans Ready to Abandon Ted Cruz for Beto O’Rourke?
Polling firm finds some Republicans are ready to cross party lines.
Politics & Policy
September 11, 2018
Some People Think Ted Cruz Is a Jerk. Is It Enough to Make Him Lose?
President Trump’s budget adviser says the Texas Senate seat is in play because the party nominee is not likable.
Politics & Policy
September 6, 2018
Finally, Democrats Lead in a Texas Poll, But It May Not Matter
Texas Hispanics prefer Democratic nominee for governor Lupe Valdez over Republican incumbent Greg Abbott by a slim margin and Beto O’Rourke over Republican U.S. Senator Ted Cruz by a wider margin. But does it matter for a voting block that notoriously fails to turn out on Election Day?The poll, conducted
Politics & Policy
September 6, 2018
Beto O’Rourke Is the National Democrat of Texas, But Will That Help Him Win?
Donations and the love of Hollywood suggest that O'Rourke may be more popular outside the state—and more vulnerable at home.
Politics & Policy
September 4, 2018
A Billboard With Trump’s Meanest Tweet About Ted Cruz Is Going Up in Texas
Their fraught primary relationship comes back to haunt Texas’s junior senator.
Politics & Policy
August 31, 2018
Beto O’Rourke Faces New Political Perils As Launch of Fall Campaign Begins
Despite a sense of momentum, the Democrat’s unconventional campaign is in unchartered territory as the candidate faces new scrutiny and political attacks.
Politics & Policy
August 28, 2018
Ted Cruz Responds to Beto O’Rourke’s Viral NFL Protest Comments
The senator released a digital counterpunch to his competitor’s viral video, though it has yet to pick up the same steam.
Politics & Policy
August 27, 2018
Will Beto O’Rourke Become President?
It might help if he loses to Ted Cruz.
News & Politics
August 24, 2018
Harris County May Have Violated Federal Election Law, Expert Says
The National Voter Registration Act prohibits removing ineligible voters from voter rolls within 90 days of a federal election. That’s just what the Harris County registrar tried to do.
Politics & Policy
August 23, 2018
Beto O’Rourke Is Everywhere. Why Don’t More Texas Voters Know Him?
O’Rourke continues to nip at Ted Cruz’s heels in the latest poll, even if a third of the state's voters are unfamiliar with him.
Politics & Policy
August 22, 2018
Beto O’Rourke’s Commentary on NFL Player Protests Is Blowing Up the Internet
"I can think of nothing more American," the candidate said. It’s another viral hit for the digital wunderkind.
The Culture
August 15, 2018
Should Ted Cruz and Beto O’Rourke Settle This Race on the Basketball Court?
In June, Twitter beef between late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel and Senator Ted Cruz ended in an one-on-one game of basketball. It was neither the first nor the last time that basketball played into Cruz’s political life. He started a weekly pickup game at the
Politics & Policy
August 9, 2018
What Could Ted Cruz’s Campaign Have Meant When It Called Beto O’Rourke a ‘Triple Meat Whataburger Liberal’?
Thank you, Ted Cruz campaign, for introducing the Whataburger-themed insult to Texas politics.
Politics & Policy
August 1, 2018
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer Is Asking About Beto O’Rourke–Ted Cruz Race
The Senate leadership was briefed on the Texas race as a pair of new polls show O'Rourke neck and neck with the incumbent Cruz.
Politics & Policy
August 1, 2018
O’Rourke Trails Cruz by Two Points in Latest Poll
All other statewide offices on the ballot remain comfortably in the hands of Republicans.
Politics & Policy
July 27, 2018
Proxy War: The U.S. Senate Race in Texas and President Trump
Ted Cruz versus Beto O’Rourke may be the most anticipated Texas race on the November ballot, but June’s state party conventions were all about Donald Trump.
Politics & Policy
July 18, 2018
Bipartisan Road Trip By Two Texas Congressmen Wins National Award
When a Texas Republican and Texas Democrat drove 1,600 miles together to Washington and live-streamed it, the nation took notice.
Reporter
July 12, 2018
Democrat Justin Nelson’s Campaign Is Making a Lot of Noise About Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Indictment
In our podcast, the Houston lawyer argues that Texans should be embarrassed by Paxton’s criminal indictment.
Politics & Policy
July 10, 2018
Viral Video Gives Democrat MJ Hegar a Big Financial Boost Against Republican Congressman John Carter
Hegar’s campaign says the commercial prompted more than $750,000 in donations in ten days.
Reporter
June 28, 2018
Love Him or Hate Him, the State Party Conventions Were About Trump
Podcast: Without Obama to demonize, Republicans went on defense; Democrats attacked the president.
Politics & Policy
June 22, 2018
Just How Doomed Is Lupe Valdez?
She made history by becoming the first Latina nominated by a major political party to run for governor of Texas. Will that historic moment become nothing more than a footnote?
Border & Immigration
June 21, 2018
Abbott Caught in His Own Duplicity on Family Separations
The governor declared that only Congress can fix family separations shortly before the president ended the policy.
Politics & Policy
June 18, 2018
Beto O’Rourke Is Looking for Answers on Family Separation Too
The Democratic Senate candidate led a march to the new Tornillo facility holding immigrant children, but he doesn't have a full picture of what's going on inside.
Sports
June 14, 2018
Ted Cruz vs. Jimmy Kimmel: Basketball Scouting Report
The late-night host and Texas senator will go one-on-one on Saturday. Here's our scouting report.
Politics & Policy
June 5, 2018
Ted Cruz Chickened Out on Trump Pardon Question
Constitutional scholar Ted Cruz says he has no idea whether President Trump can pardon himself.
Politics & Policy
June 1, 2018
Abbott Plan on School Security Too Little, Too Late
The governor’s proposals would not prevent more than 70,000 high school students from legally buying rifles and shotguns.
Politics & Policy
May 30, 2018
O’Rourke, Valdez Election Support Is Slipping
What may be more troubling for Democrats is that half of the state’s voters still don’t know much about the two standard-bearers.
Politics & Policy
May 23, 2018
Empower Texans, Tea Party Lose in GOP Races
Retiring House Speaker Joe Straus helped finance business backlash against social conservatives.
Politics & Policy
May 22, 2018
Democrats Choose Lupe Valdez as Their Nominee for Governor of Texas
The former Dallas County sheriff will take on the formidable and formidably funded Greg Abbott in November.
Border & Immigration
May 22, 2018
Podcast: Valdez and White and Tuesday’s Runoff
Ethnic politics has been an undeniable factor in the Democratic race to replace Republican Governor Greg Abbott.
Politics & Policy
May 21, 2018
What to Watch in Tuesday’s Runoff Elections
The governor’s race gets the attention, but the undercard may be more important this year.
Politics & Policy
May 10, 2018
Friday’s Debate With Andrew White Could Be Lupe Valdez’s Last Stand
The toughest opponent Lupe Valdez has for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination is herself.
Politics & Policy
April 25, 2018
Democrats Create Big-Money PAC to Oppose Senator Ted Cruz
A new super PAC wants you to F Ted Cruz—fire him, that is.
Politics & Policy
April 18, 2018
Little-Known Beto O’Rourke Is Nipping at Ted Cruz’s Heels
More than half of those in a new survey lack an opinion of Beto O’Rourke, but he’s still tied with Cruz.
Politics & Policy
April 16, 2018
Did a Prominent Republican Donor Have a Hand in Helping Beto O’Rourke?
Oilman Tim Dunn is investing in a super PAC trying to defeat the Democratic senate nominee after helping him win a seat in Congress in 2012.
Politics & Policy
April 4, 2018
Beto O’Rourke Hits Pay Dirt With Bernie Sanders Money Machine
The Democratic Senate nominee raked in $6.7 million and paid more than $2.6 million to former Sanders fundraisers.
Politics & Policy
March 12, 2018
Democrats Argue Victory and Values in Facebook Fight Over White, Valdez
Bitter argument leads former Texas first lady Linda Gale White to defend her son’s record.
Politics & Policy
March 10, 2018
Beto O’Rourke’s Campaign Strategy Isn’t Changing
The senate hopeful, fresh off an underwhelming primary win, talked about rejecting PAC money at SXSW.
Politics & Policy
March 7, 2018
VIDEO: ‘Texas Monthly’ Examines the 2018 Primaries
Watch our discussion of the winners and losers of this year’s Fall-of-the-Alamo primary.
Politics & Policy
March 7, 2018
Democratic Blue Wave Surged But Did Not Look Like a Tsunami
Texas Democrats had their best off-year primary turnout since 2002 and still had fewer voters than the Republicans.
Politics & Policy
March 6, 2018
Contested Races and Potential Upsets: What to Watch in the 2018 Primaries
Are Texas Democrats headed for a comeback, or is it business as usual for Republicans?
Politics & Policy
March 6, 2018
Pro-Gun Voters Dominate the Texas Republican Party
With more than 1.5 million firearm owners in Texas, don’t count on political support for limiting military-style weapons.
Politics & Policy
March 5, 2018
Can the Bernie Sanders ‘Our Revolution’ Put Progressive Populism Back Into the Texas Democratic Party?
From Laura Moser in Houston to a kung fu practitioner in Fort Worth, Bernie Sanders supporters are infiltrating the Texas Democratic Party. And Nancy Pelosi is not happy.