Politics & Policy
November 17, 2023
J. W. Lown Governed San Angelo With a Smile—and Constituents Like Me Won’t Forget It
He lived out his last years in Mexico as a real estate agent, dreaming of returning home to Texas with his husband.
City Government
Politics & Policy
October 31, 2023
Tony Buzbee Is More Famous Than Ever. So Why Is He Running for Houston City Council?
The wealthy trial lawyer just helped acquit Attorney General Ken Paxton. Now he wants to fix potholes and broken water lines.
Politics & Policy
September 1, 2023
Republican and Democratic Cities Band Together to Blow Up the Death Star Bill
HB 2127, which strips municipalities of regulatory authority, was intended to target liberal cities. So why are conservative mayors so upset?
Politics & Policy
August 14, 2023
Houston Is Young and Dynamic. Its Next Leader Won’t Be.
The leading candidates for Houston mayor are two septuagenarians: state senator John Whitmire and U.S. congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. What happened to the city of the future?
Politics & Policy
July 28, 2023
Her Daughter Was Killed in Uvalde. Now She’s Running for Mayor.
Kimberly Mata-Rubio says after the tragedy, Uvalde remains a divided community—she wants to change that.
Politics & Policy
May 31, 2023
Voter Fraud Is Rare. But 15 Illegal Votes in Laredo Have Thrown the City Council Into Turmoil.
Despite a judge’s ruling that her opponent rightfully won the election, Daisy Campos Rodriguez stubbornly clings to her office.
Politics & Policy
March 9, 2023
How the Texas GOP Became the Party of Big Government
Under Governor Greg Abbott and a Republican-dominated Legislature, Texas has experienced an unprecedented expansion of state power over municipalities.
Politics & Policy
February 21, 2023
A Right-wing Cabal Took Over Odessa’s Municipal Government. City Employees Are Heading for the Exits.
In the three months since city council elections, at least twenty staffers have resigned, retired, or been fired, including the city manager, city attorney, and fire chief.
Politics & Policy
February 8, 2023
We Texans Are on Our Own When Disasters Hit
Austin’s response to last week’s mild freeze is further evidence that some of the structures of society we used to count on are no longer reliable.
Politics & Policy
April 1, 1997
Alamodoomed
San Antonio mayor Bill Thornton likes to talk about the future, but he’s still a politician of the past—and so is everyone who’s running against him.
Politics & Policy
December 1, 1996
Familia Feud
In Laredo, a conservative revolution is upending the city’s old patronage politics.
Politics & Policy
November 1, 1996
Affairs of State
Mónica García Velásquez, the first female mayor of Nuevo Laredo, is smart, poised, and articulate, especially when it comes to dismissing rumors about her love life.
Politics & Policy
November 1, 1995
Smelling Like a Rose
Critics complain about Houston’s rising debt, but Mayor Bob Lanier’s reputation is blooming, which is why he’ll win a third term this month.
Politics & Policy
November 1, 1991
The Three Kingdoms of Kathy Whitmire
Her critics used to say that Houston’s mayor was a great administrator but a bad politician. Now, on the eve of her toughest race, her critics are saying just the opposite.
News & Politics
November 1, 1991
Blood in the Streets
Blood in the Streets. Houstonians and homicide detectives struggle to cope with a deadly crime wave.
Politics & Policy
October 1, 1985
The Kathy Ratings
Kathy Whitmire’s substantial achievements as mayor of Houston are overshadowed by her bad public image and political ineptitude—not a good situation for a candidate seeking a third term.
Politics & Policy
April 1, 1985
Life, Art, and the Wackiest Politician in Texas
San Antonio city councilman Bernardo Eureste took a paltry arts budget and built it into a $3 million power base. Then he got mad and tore it all apart.
Politics & Policy
December 1, 1977
The Second Battle of the Alamo
Texas’ oldest city is heading for a political showdown, thanks to some newcomers to the power game.