https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/renzo-downey/The latest news by Renzo Downey.enWed, 11 Dec 2024 19:57:42 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/11/texas-greg-abbott-republicans-house-speaker-race/Days after the Texas House GOP caucus backed Cook, Abbott made clear that he expects Republican representatives to do the same.By Juan Salinas II and Renzo DowneyWed, 11 Dec 2024 19:57:42 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/11/texas-greg-abbott-republicans-house-speaker-race/In a social media post Wednesday, Gov. Greg Abbott, seen on Nov. 26, said the Texas House needs a "Texas House Speaker chosen by a majority of Republicans in accordance with the Republican Caucus Rules."Gov. Greg Abbott speaks to DPS Troopers and National Guard troops at a Thanksgiving dinner event in Edinburg on Nov. 26, 2024.Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/07/texas-house-speaker-david-cook-dustin-burrows/Burrows claims the support of a coalition of Republicans and Democrats, while Cook has the endorsement of the GOP caucus.By James Barragán, Renzo Downey and Jasper SchererSat, 07 Dec 2024 17:14:18 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/07/texas-house-speaker-david-cook-dustin-burrows/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/06/texas-house-speaker-david-cook-dustin-burrows-dade-phelan/With Speaker Dade Phelan out of the race, Republican state Reps. David Cook and Dustin Burrows will now face off.By Jasper Scherer, Renzo Downey and James BarragánFri, 06 Dec 2024 12:45:09 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/06/texas-house-speaker-david-cook-dustin-burrows-dade-phelan/The Texas House floor on Aug. 31, 2021.The Texas House floor on Aug. 31, 2021.Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/05/texas-house-speaker-dade-phelan/Phelan, a Beaumont Republican, had previously insisted he had enough votes to thwart a challenge from the right led by state Rep. David Cook of Mansfield.By Jasper Scherer, James Barragán and Renzo DowneyFri, 06 Dec 2024 08:08:31 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/05/texas-house-speaker-dade-phelan/Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan before gavelling in the House for the third-called special session on Oct. 9, 2023.Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan before gavelling in the House for the third-called special session on Oct. 9, 2023.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/05/texas-house-democrats-gene-wu-houston/Wu defeated incumbent Trey Martinez Fischer on Thursday to become the next chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus.By Renzo DowneyThu, 05 Dec 2024 10:44:30 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/05/texas-house-democrats-gene-wu-houston/Texas Rep. Gene Wu looks on during a press conference in opposition to Senate Bill 147 outside of City Hall on January 23, 2023, in downtown Houston, Texas.Texas Rep. Gene Wu looks on during a press conference in opposition to Senate Bill 147 outside of City Hall on January 23, 2023, in downtown Houston, Texas.Mark Felix for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/27/david-cook-dade-phelan-texas-house-speaker/The two-term Republican caught many Capitol observers off guard when he emerged as the standard-bearer for a coalition that wants to depose Phelan and reshape how the House operates.By James Barragán, Jasper Scherer and Renzo DowneyWed, 27 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/27/david-cook-dade-phelan-texas-house-speaker/State Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield, takes the oath of office with his hand on a bible on the first day of the 88th Texas legislative session on Jan 10, 2023.State Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield, takes the oath of office with his hand on a bible on the first day of the 88th Texas legislative session on Jan 10, 2023.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/22/scott-turner-nomination-housing-urban-development/Turner served in the Texas House for four years and was also executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council in the first Trump administration.By Juan Salinas II and Renzo DowneyFri, 22 Nov 2024 21:28:30 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/22/scott-turner-nomination-housing-urban-development/Scott Turner, who has been nominated to lead the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, represented the 33rd district in the Texas House from 2013 to 2017.State Rep. Scott Turner, R-Frisco, gives a personal speech on the House floor in Austin in January 2015 after losing the speaker's race to Joe Straus, R-San Antonio.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/05/adam-hinojosa-morgan-lamantia-texas-senate-rio-grande-valley/Hinojosa won the only competitive seat in the Texas Senate this cycle, besting Sen. Morgan LaMantia two years after she narrowly defeated him.By Renzo DowneyWed, 06 Nov 2024 15:51:38 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/05/adam-hinojosa-morgan-lamantia-texas-senate-rio-grande-valley/Adam Hinojosa, Republican candidate for Texas Senate District 27, after a Futuro RGV candidate forum in Brownsville on Jan. 19, 2022.Adam Hinojosa, Texas Senate District 27 Republican Candidate, after a Futuro RGV candidate forum in Brownsville on Jan. 19, 2022.Verónica Gabriel Cárdenas for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/05/texas-house-senate-election-2024-results/Gov. Greg Abbott said the House would have enough Republicans to pass school vouchers next year.By Zach Despart and Renzo DowneyWed, 06 Nov 2024 01:13:11 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/05/texas-house-senate-election-2024-results/Lawmakers on the House floor during Sine Die of the 88th Texas Legislative Session, at the Capitol in Austin, on May 29, 2023.Lawmakers on the House floor during Sine Die of the 88th Texas Legislative Session, at the Capitol in Austin, on May 29, 2023.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/22/texas-house-caroline-harris-davila-children-ad/From our premium politics newsletter, The Blast: A new ad from Rep. Caroline Harris Davila raises eyebrows in what increasingly appears to be a competitive race.By Renzo DowneyTue, 22 Oct 2024 12:23:10 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/22/texas-house-caroline-harris-davila-children-ad/A campaign ad for state Rep. Caroline Harris Davila, R-Round Rock, shows the candidate with her husband, Darrell Davila, and four children who are not theirs.A campaign ad for State Rep.Caroline Harris Davila, R-Round Rock.Social mediahttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/15/texas-senate-debate-ted-cruz-colin-allred/The debate proved combative from start to finish, with Cruz and Allred trading barbs on nearly every issue that came up.By Jasper Scherer and Renzo DowneyTue, 15 Oct 2024 21:05:23 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/15/texas-senate-debate-ted-cruz-colin-allred/U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, left, and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, take part in a debate for the U.S. Senate hosted by WFAA on Oct. 15, 2024, in DallasU.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, left, and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, take part in a debate for the U.S. Senate hosted by WFAA on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, in Dallas, Texas.Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune via POOLhttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/30/texas-house-speaker-race-dade-phelan-david-cook/Phelan appears to lack support from the majority of House Republicans, but he could still win with some Democratic support.By Renzo DowneyMon, 30 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/30/texas-house-speaker-race-dade-phelan-david-cook/The House floor at the Capitol on Sept. 23, 2021.The House floor at the Capitol on Sept. 23, 2021.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/20/texas-house-speaker-david-cook-dade-phelan-republicans/Four GOP state representatives suspended their bids to challenge Phelan and 48 Republicans backed Cook, which could threaten Phelan’s shot at a third term.By Renzo DowneyFri, 20 Sep 2024 17:36:17 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/20/texas-house-speaker-david-cook-dade-phelan-republicans/State Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield, takes the oath of office with his hand on a bible on the first day of the 88th Texas legislative in 2023. He is challenging Republican incumbent House Speaker Dade Phelan.State Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield, takes the oath of office with his hand on a bible on the first day of the 88th Texas legislative session on Jan 10, 2023.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/06/texas-house-leadership-race-tom-oliverson-shelby-slawson/Reps. Tom Oliverson and Shelby Slawson, both members of House Republican leadership, became the first two candidates to challenge Phelan’s speakership.By Renzo DowneyFri, 06 Sep 2024 14:11:40 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/06/texas-house-leadership-race-tom-oliverson-shelby-slawson/State Reps. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, and Shelby Slawson, R-Stephenville, discuss the running for House speaker on a panel moderated by politics reporter Zach Despart at The Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Sept. 6, 2024.State Reps. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, and Shelby Slawson, R-Stephenville, discuss the speaker of the Texas House position on a panel moderated by politics reporter Zach Despart at The Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Sept. 6, 2024.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/23/erica-lee-carter-sheila-jackson-texas-houston-special-election/Carter will run against two Republicans for her mother’s seat to hold for a few weeks before the winner of the general election takes over.By Renzo DowneyFri, 23 Aug 2024 11:54:51 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/23/erica-lee-carter-sheila-jackson-texas-houston-special-election/Erica Lee Carter, daughter of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is comforted by Houston City Council Member Tiffany D. Thomas in the Houston City Hall rotunda on Monday, July 29, 2024.Erica Lee Carter, daughter of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is comforted by Houston City Council Member Tiffany D. Thomas in the Houston City Hall rotunda on Monday, July 29, 2024.Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle/POOLhttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/06/kristian-carranza-bexar-john-lujan-legislature/The Bexar County GOP accused Democrat Kristian Carranza of using a Hispanic surname to appeal to the district’s largely Hispanic population.By James Barragán and Renzo DowneyTue, 06 Aug 2024 15:48:39 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/06/kristian-carranza-bexar-john-lujan-legislature/Kristian Carranza speaks at the Lady Bird Breakfast during the Texas Democratic Convention in El Paso on June 8, 2024. Carranza is the Democratic candidate for state House District 118 in San Antonio.Kristian Carranza speaks at the Lady Bird Breakfast during the Texas Democratic Convention in El Paso on June 8, 2024. Carranza is the Democratic candidate for state House District 118 in San Antonio.Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/23/sheila-jackson-lee-congressional-district-18-election/At least three Democrats are considering bids for the Houston-area seat. But Texas Democratic officials — not voters — will decide who will be on the November ballot.By Isaac Yu and Renzo DowneyTue, 23 Jul 2024 16:45:57 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/23/sheila-jackson-lee-congressional-district-18-election/The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on April 15, 2022.The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on April 15, 2022.Shuran Huang for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/21/joe-biden-texas-delegates-nomination-process/The delegates voted late Monday, a day after President Joe Biden exited the presidential race and endorsed Harris.By Jasper Scherer and Renzo DowneySun, 21 Jul 2024 16:00:31 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/21/joe-biden-texas-delegates-nomination-process/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/12/charles-schwertner-borris-miles-texas-monthly-sexual-harassment/A Texas Monthly article revealed fresh allegations of sexual harassment against two senators with a history of scandals.By Renzo DowneyFri, 12 Jul 2024 18:10:50 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/12/charles-schwertner-borris-miles-texas-monthly-sexual-harassment/State Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, leaves the Travis County Jailhouse in Austin on Feb. 7, 2023.State Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, leaves the Travis County Jailhouse in Austin on Feb. 7, 2023. Schwertner was booked the previous night for dangerous driving while intoxicated.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/06/texas-election-recount-brandon-herrera/Herrera said he doesn’t expect the results to change, “but I feel I owe it to my volunteers, voters, and supporters to leave no stone unturned.”By Renzo DowneyThu, 06 Jun 2024 18:41:37 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/06/texas-election-recount-brandon-herrera/U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, and his challenger in the GOP runoff, Brandon Herrera. Herrera lost the race and will ask for a recount.From left: U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, and his challenger in the GOP runoff, Brandon Herrera. Election Day is May 28.The Texas Tribune