Texas GOP censures five lawmakers, but rejects banning anyone from the primary ballot
Saturday’s decisions signal a deescalating intraparty tension that heightened at the start of the year. Full Story
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Renzo Downey is the lead writer of The Blast, The Texas Tribune’s premium politics newsletter. Prior to joining the Tribune in February 2023, he worked as a state government and politics reporter and a newsletter editor for Florida Politics. He was previously an intern on the state desk at the Austin American-Statesman. A San Francisco Bay Area native, Renzo received his bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from Northwestern University.
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![Republican Party of Texas Chairman Abraham George talks with a delegate during the State Republican Executive Committee (SREC) special-called meeting to discuss censures of several Republican House members including Speaker Dustin Burrows, at the Texas Capitol, on Oct 11, 2025.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas GOP to consider blocking lawmakers from 2026 primary ballot in first test of new censure rule
The state party’s governing board will meet Saturday to decide whether 10 Texas House Republicans tried to thwart GOP priorities during this year’s legislative session. Full Story
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![Texas GOP Chairman Abraham George speaks during a rally at the Tarrant County Republican Party Headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas on Monday, January 6, 2025.]()
Credit: Photo by Emil T. Lippe for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Democratic Party’s move to Dallas prompts top staff exodus, roils organization ahead of 2026
Party insiders said the way the move was handled undercuts Chair Kendall Scudder’s rhetoric about winning back working class voters, who lurched to the right in 2024. Full Story
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![Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder addresses attendees at an event in Brownsville on April 12, 2025.]()
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Abbott expected to issue executive order setting age requirements for THC-products, other restrictions
The executive order comes after the Legislature ended a special session without the House, Senate and governor agreeing on restrictions. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott at a press conference in Austin on Aug. 15, 2025.]()
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Most Texas THC products remain legal after GOP leaders fail to break legislative impasse
Legislators couldn’t reach a last-minute deal to tighten regulations on consumable hemp products. Full Story
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![Hemp plants are seen at Caprock Family Farms, Friday, May 23, 2025, in Lubbock.]()
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Texas Legislature approves stiff penalties, fundraising limits for lawmakers who leave state to block bills
House members who freeze future legislation by fleeing Texas will face steeper fines, loss of seniority and committee posts, and limits on political fundraising. Full Story
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![Members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus at a press conference at IBEW Local 701 in Warrenville, Ill., on Aug. 4, 2025.]()
Credit: Jamie Kelter Davis for The Texas Tribune -
Texas megadonor Alex Fairly will fund legal bid to keep GOP lawmakers on the primary ballot
The Amarillo businessman said he would tap into the $20 million political action committee he launched last year to preserve ballot access for censured Republicans. Full Story
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![Alex Fairly attends a board of directors meeting for the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation on Monday, April 21, 2025, in Amarillo.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman for The Texas Tribune -
Republican Party of Texas sets stage to censure members who stepped out of line in likely bid to block them from primary ballot
Republicans who are censured by their county party leaders may be blocked from the primary ballot under a new party rule passed last year, that is expected to be tested by the courts. Full Story
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![Republican Party of Texas Chair Abraham George speaks during the Texas GOP Convention on May 25, 2024 in San Antonio.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
Seven House Democrats making day trip to New Mexico amid redistricting battle
With a quorum break on the table for the minority party as a way to thwart a GOP bid for more congressional seats, members travel out-of-state for a third time. Full Story
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![New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) speaks during the Democratic Party of New Mexico Election Night Watch Party at the Isleta Casino and Resort on Nov. 5, 2024 on the Pueblo of Isleta, New Mexico.]()
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Texas GOP Rep. Giovanni Capriglione admits affair, denies abortion allegations
A conservative news site published an interview with a woman who alleges a 17-year affair with the Southlake representative, who said this week he wouldn’t seek reelection. Full Story
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![State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, on the House floor at lawmakers debate bills at the Texas Capitol on Monday, May 26, 2025.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune