https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/gabby-birenbaum/The latest news by Gabby Birenbaum.enThu, 28 Aug 2025 16:51:32 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/28/jodey-arrington-brandon-creighton-texas-tech-chancellor/Arrington represents Lubbock in Congress. Creighton is a longtime state lawmaker.By Kate McGee, Gabby Birenbaum and Jessica PriestThu, 28 Aug 2025 16:51:32 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/28/jodey-arrington-brandon-creighton-texas-tech-chancellor/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/27/minneapolis-shooting-manifesto-brandon-herrera/Herrera, a gun rights activist with millions of online followers, said he was “disgusted” to be mentioned by the shooter. Herrera is challenging U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales in the Republican primary.By Gabby BirenbaumWed, 27 Aug 2025 16:22:01 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/27/minneapolis-shooting-manifesto-brandon-herrera/Florida then-U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz and Brandon Herrera, Republican candidate for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, at a campaign event at the Angry Elephant, a politically themed bar, in San Antonio, Texas on March 14, 2024.Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz and Brandon Herrera, Republican candidate for the US House for Texas’ 23rd congressional district, were seen during a campaign event at the Angry Elephant, a politically themed bar, in San Antonio, Texas on March 14, 2024.Christopher Lee for Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/25/paxton-reitz-cruz-roy-texas-attorney-general-endorsements/Aaron Reitz and Chip Roy, positioning themselves as Paxton’s ideological heirs, have served as top aides for both the attorney general and Cruz.By Gabby BirenbaumMon, 25 Aug 2025 10:25:59 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/25/paxton-reitz-cruz-roy-texas-attorney-general-endorsements/Aaron Reitz, left, and U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, right, are both running for Texas attorney general after previously serving as top aides to the outgoing incumbent, Ken Paxton.Aaron Reitz, left, and U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, right, are both running for Texas attorney general after previously serving as top aides to the outgoing incumbent, Ken Paxton.Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect and Julia Nikhinson for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/22/texas-redistricting-map-republican-candidates-new-districts/State Rep. Briscoe Cain kicked off what operatives expect to be a flurry of campaign announcements with a bid for Houston’s 9th Congressional District.By Gabby BirenbaumFri, 22 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/22/texas-redistricting-map-republican-candidates-new-districts/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/21/lloyd-doggett-congress-retire-redistricting-greg-casar-austin/Casar moved quickly to coalesce Austin Democrats, launching his campaign for the 37th Congressional District Monday with endorsements from 42 current and former Texas elected officials.By Gabby BirenbaumThu, 21 Aug 2025 16:51:21 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/21/lloyd-doggett-congress-retire-redistricting-greg-casar-austin/U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Austin speaks during a news conference with Texas Democratic leaders at the Texas Capitol on July 31, 2025. Democrats were fighting Republicans' mid-decade redistricting efforts pushed by President Donald Trump.U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Austin speaks during a press conference with Texas Democratic leaders at the Texas Capitol on July 31, 2025. Democrats are fighting mid-decade Republican redistricting efforts influenced by President Donald Trump. Left to right are U.S. Representatives Lloyd Doggett of Austin, Greg Casar of Austin, Lizzie Fletcher of Houston, Al Green of Houston and Sylvia Garcia of Houston.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/21/briscoe-cain-congress-texas-9th-congressional-district/The Houston-area district, currently occupied by Democratic Rep. Al Green, is being redrawn by GOP lawmakers to favor Republicans and cover almost entirely new territory.By Gabby BirenbaumThu, 21 Aug 2025 11:49:26 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/21/briscoe-cain-congress-texas-9th-congressional-district/State Rep. Briscoe Cain, R-Deer Park, speaks with press outside the Texas House on Aug. 18, 2025.State Rep. Briscoe Cain, R-Deer Park, speaks with press outside the Texas House on Aug. 18, 2025.Lorianne Willett for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/21/chip-roy-attorney-general-republican-primary-2026-paxton/It will be the first test of whether Roy’s at times frosty relationship with President Trump — and his turn against Paxton — can withstand scrutiny in a statewide primary.By Gabby Birenbaum and Eleanor KlibanoffThu, 21 Aug 2025 07:10:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/21/chip-roy-attorney-general-republican-primary-2026-paxton/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/21/texas-health-insurance-premiums-aca-tax-credit-expiration/Health insurers are hiking policy premiums in response to proposed federal cuts and rising costs in various parts of the health care sector.By Gabby Birenbaum, Data reporting by Dan Keemahill, Graphics by Edison WuThu, 21 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/21/texas-health-insurance-premiums-aca-tax-credit-expiration/Dr. Spencer R. Berthelsen visits with patient Francisco Garcia, a fellow physician, before his annual physical at their clinic in Sugar Land on Sept. 22, 2011.Dr. Spencer R. Berthelsen, M.D., Chairman, Board of Directors at Kelsey-Seybold, who still sees patients two days a week, visits with patient Francisco Garcia (also a doctor at Kelsey Seybold) before his annual physical at their clinic in Sugar Land. Sept. 22, 2011.Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/15/paxton-cornyn-texas-senate-poll-august-emerson/Every previous public poll had shown the attorney general with a considerable lead over Texas’ incumbent senator.By Gabby BirenbaumFri, 15 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/15/paxton-cornyn-texas-senate-poll-august-emerson/Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is challenging U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in the 2026 Republican primary.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is challenging U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in the 2026 Republican primary.The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/14/texas-lloyd-doggett-greg-casar-democratic-primary-austin/The contest would unearth brewing Democratic tensions over age and experience, forcing Austin politicos to choose between two well-liked progressives.By Gabby BirenbaumThu, 14 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/14/texas-lloyd-doggett-greg-casar-democratic-primary-austin/U.S. Reps. Lloyd Doggett and Greg Casar, both of Austin (left), listen as Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, speaks during a news conference with Texas Democratic leaders at the Texas Capitol on July 31, 2025. Doggett and Casar could face each other in a primary under a new congressional map drawn by the Texas Legislature at President Donald Trump's prompting.U.S. Reps. Lloyd Doggett and Greg Casar, both of Austin (left), listen as Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio speaks during a press conference with Texas Democratic leaders at the Texas Capitol on July 31, 2025. Doggett and Casar could face each other in a primary under the new congressional redistricting maps drawn by the Texas Legislature at Pres. Trump's prompting.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/12/allred-texas-senate-lessons-learned/Allred says he has learned to show up more in his attempt at a Senate do-over. But critics contend he’s not generating enough attention.By Gabby BirenbaumTue, 12 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/12/allred-texas-senate-lessons-learned/U.S. Rep. Colin Allred speaks at his Election Night watch party after losing the Senate seat to incumbent U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz at Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas on Election Day, November 5, 2024.U.S. Rep. Colin Allred (R-Texas) speaks at his Election Night watch party after losing the Senate seat to incumbent U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) at Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas on Election Day, November 5, 2024.Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/08/james-talarico-texas-democrat-senate-race-2026/The Democratic state lawmaker has inquired about Senate television ad rates, two sources told the Tribune.By Gabby Birenbaum and Kayla GuoFri, 08 Aug 2025 14:03:58 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/08/james-talarico-texas-democrat-senate-race-2026/State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, smiles during a redistricting rally at the Delco Activity Center in Austin on Friday, July 25, 2025.Texas Rep. James Talarico D-Austin smiles during a redistricting rally at Delco Activity Center Friday, July 25, 2025 in Austin, Texas.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/08/cornyn-paxton-primary-texas-senate-republican-primary/The annual summer break is a critical window for Texas’ senior senator, whose allies are blitzing the airwaves with ads courting primary voters — and President Donald Trump.By Gabby Birenbaum and Owen DahlkampFri, 08 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/08/cornyn-paxton-primary-texas-senate-republican-primary/Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, left, and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, left, and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/05/texas-senate-wesley-hunt-gop-primary-cornyn-paxton-2026/The Houston Republican’s case rests on the notion that Sen. John Cornyn cannot win the primary and his challenger, Attorney General Ken Paxton, could jeopardize the seat in November.By Gabby Birenbaum and Owen DahlkampTue, 05 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/05/texas-senate-wesley-hunt-gop-primary-cornyn-paxton-2026/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/04/texas-redistricting-democrats-quorum-break-live-updates/Texas Democrats left the state to stop a Republican-led effort to change the state’s congressional boundaries, setting off a national conversation.By Eleanor Klibanoff, Gabby Birenbaum and Kayla GuoMon, 04 Aug 2025 13:54:56 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/04/texas-redistricting-democrats-quorum-break-live-updates/U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., center, stands with other Democratic members of Congress and Texas House Democrats during a press conference at IBEW Local 701 in Warrenville, Ill., on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025.Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., center, stands with other Democratic members of Congress and Texas House Democrats during a press conference at IBEW Local 701 in Warrenville, Ill., on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025.Jamie Kelter Davis for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/03/texas-democrats-quorum-break-redistricting-map/The lawmakers’ absence means the lower chamber won’t have enough members present to function, stalling passage of a draft map Democrats have condemned as a political power grab.By Kayla Guo, Eleanor Klibanoff and Gabby BirenbaumSun, 03 Aug 2025 15:51:03 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/03/texas-democrats-quorum-break-redistricting-map/Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu speaks during a press conference alongside dozens of fellow Texas lawmakers and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker in Carol Stream, Ill., on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025.Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu speaks during a press conference alongside dozens of fellow Texas lawmakers and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker in Carol Stream, Ill., on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025.Jamie Kelter Davis for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/01/texas-redistricting-gop-gains/The new district lines could be considered by the entire state House as soon as early next week.By Eleanor Klibanoff, Kayla Guo and Gabby BirenbaumFri, 01 Aug 2025 16:15:17 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/01/texas-redistricting-gop-gains/State Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, makes introductory remarks during the Texas House special committee hearing on redistricting on Aug. 1, 2025.State Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christ, makes introductory remarks during the Texas House special committee hearing on redistricting August 1, 2025.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/31/texas-redistricting-map-democrats-defense-targeted-seats-congress/The new proposed lines would also prevent few, if any, opportunities for Democrats hoping that an aggressive gerrymander could backfire on Republicans.By Kayla Guo and Gabby Birenbaum, Graphics by Carla AstudilloThu, 31 Jul 2025 17:16:40 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/31/texas-redistricting-map-democrats-defense-targeted-seats-congress/From left: U.S. Reps. Greg Casar, D-Austin, Al Green, D-Houston, and Julie Johnson, D-Farmers Branch.From left: U.S. Reps. Greg Casar, D-Austin, Al green, D-Houston, and Julie Johnson, D-Farmers BranchThe Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/31/cruz-noaa-radio-modernization-texas-flooding/This comes after Cruz voted in favor of the spending megabill that rescinded funds for NOAA.By Gabby BirenbaumThu, 31 Jul 2025 12:03:19 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/31/cruz-noaa-radio-modernization-texas-flooding/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/31/texas-democrats-redistricting-maps-congress-primaries-retirements/Multiple Democratic members have been packed into blue districts in Austin, Dallas and Houston to make way for newly crafted Republican districts in those areas.By Gabby BirenbaumThu, 31 Jul 2025 11:34:24 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/31/texas-democrats-redistricting-maps-congress-primaries-retirements/U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries gives his support to Texas Democrats fighting a Republican redistricting effort on July 31, 2025. Standing behind Jeffries, left to right, are Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Austin, U.S. Rep. Greg Casar of Austin, Rep. Lizzie Fletcher of Houston, Rep. Al Green of Houston and Rep. Sylvia Garcia of Houston.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune