Tejano singer Bobby Pulido forms exploratory committee for South Texas congressional bid
The music star is considering challenging Rep. Monica De La Cruz in a district emblematic of the GOP’s gains with Latino voters. Full Story
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Gabby Birenbaum is the Washington Correspondent for the Texas Tribune. She covers the Texas congressional delegation and the impact of federal policy on Texas. Gabby previously covered Washington for The Nevada Independent, where she wrote the weekly D.C. Download newsletter and covered the 2024 presidential election and competitive Senate race. Prior to The Nevada Independent, Gabby worked at The Washington Monthly and Vox. Gabby graduated from Northwestern University, where she studied journalism and political science. She is a native of Arlington, Virginia and is based in Washington, DC. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, watching movies and being a long-suffering fan of DC sports teams. Her work is supported by a partnership with Report for America.
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![Tejano music star Bobby Pulido joins then-Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke during a campaign rally at HEB Park in Edinburg on May 1, 2018.]()
Credit: Douglas Young for The Texas Tribune -
GOP Army veteran announces challenge to Democrat Vicente Gonzalez in South Texas congressional district
The prospect of Eric Flores’ candidacy has excited Republicans in Texas and Washington, due in part to his military and law enforcement credentials. Full Story
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![Army veteran and attorney Eric Flores has announced he's challenging U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, in South Texas' 34th Congressional District.]()
Credit: Courtesy of Eric Flores Campaign -
1.7 million Texans could lose health coverage under expiring tax credits, ACA changes in GOP megabill
Having never expanded Medicaid, Texas avoided most of the looming federal cuts other states will face. But the Affordable Care Act is a different story. Full Story
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![The nurse’s office at the Ector County Youth Center on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, in Odessa. The office does not have any attached restroom, causing residents to return to their rooms to use their toilets for drug tests, and during weekly doctor’s visits, the office can become quite cramped when three to four people are using the room at a time.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
Harlingen doctor becomes first Democrat to challenge GOP Rep. Monica De La Cruz for South Texas congressional seat
The 15th Congressional District is the only Republican-held seat in Texas that Democrats are targeting under the current map. Full Story
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![Dr. Ada Cuellar.]()
Credit: Dr. Ada Cuellar for Congress Campaign -
As Trump looks to net five GOP seats through Texas redistricting, Democrats grasp for response
President Donald Trump said he thinks Republicans could flip a handful of congressional districts in Texas next year through “just a very simple redrawing." Full Story
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![From left, U.S. Reps. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, Greg Casar, D-Austin,and Al Green, D-Houston, attend a news conference with members of the Texas congressional delegation to discuss possible redistricting in the state at the Democratic National Committee offices on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.]()
Credit: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Sipa USA vis REUTERS -
State Rep. Steve Toth to challenge Congressman Dan Crenshaw in Republican primary
Crenshaw’s sparring with fellow prominent conservatives has invited backlash from the right, but his past primary opponents have failed to capitalize at the ballot box. Full Story
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![From left: U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Houston, and state Rep. Steve Toth, R-Conroe.]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune -
Texas leaders have repeatedly claimed the state’s voting maps are race blind. Until the Trump DOJ disagreed.
Gov. Greg Abbott has acknowledged DOJ concerns that some districts were drawn “along strict racial lines.” Critics say it’s a political ploy. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a bill signing creating a Texas DOGE office at the capitol building in Austin on April 23, 2025.]()
Credit: Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribune -
Ted Cruz was vacationing in Greece when the deadly Texas floods broke out. His office says he took the first flight home.
Texas’ junior senator was visiting Greece Friday when the Texas flood turned deadly. Cruz, who did not return until Sunday night, communicated with officials from Athens. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on June 30, 2025.]()
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Here’s what’s in Trump’s GOP megabill and how it will affect Texans
The wide-ranging bill is the vehicle for much of Trump’s domestic policy agenda, containing key changes that will affect daily life for millions of Texans. Full Story
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![House Speaker Mike Johnson with Republican leaders signs the Trump's One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on July 3, 2025.]()
Credit: Gripas Yuri/ABACA via REUTERS