https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/renzo-downey/The latest news by Renzo Downey.enWed, 06 Nov 2024 15:51:38 -0600https://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 Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/28/molly-cook-jarvis-johnson-texas-senate/Cook was up 74 votes, according to unofficial results. Johnson has not conceded.By Renzo DowneyWed, 29 May 2024 10:02:35 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/28/molly-cook-jarvis-johnson-texas-senate/Molly Cook, an emergency room nurse, is running for Texas Senate District 15.Molly Cook, an emergency room nurse, is running for Texas Senate District 15.Molly Cook for Texas Senatehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/28/brent-hagenbuch-jace-yarborough-texas-senate/Hagenbuch won the primary in a district vacated by former Sen. Drew Springer, R-Muenster.By Renzo DowneyTue, 28 May 2024 21:35:57 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/28/brent-hagenbuch-jace-yarborough-texas-senate/Candidate for state Senate District 30 Brent Hagenbuch.Candidate for state Senate District 30 Brent Hagenbuch.Social mediahttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/25/texas-republican-party-convention-platform/The platform was voted on Saturday, with tallies expected next week. Other planks call abortion homicide and gender-transition care “child abuse.”By Robert Downen and Renzo DowneySat, 25 May 2024 18:42:15 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/25/texas-republican-party-convention-platform/Conventioneers listen to speeches during the Texas GOP Convention Friday, May 24, 2024 in San Antonio.Conventioneers listen to speeches during the Texas GOP Convention Friday, May 24, 2024 in San Antonio.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/24/texas-republican-party-chair-abraham-george/George was backed by outgoing GOP chair Matt Rinaldi, who ushered in a Republican civil war and oversaw staffing cuts and drops in fundraising.By Renzo Downey and Robert DownenFri, 24 May 2024 18:11:53 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/24/texas-republican-party-chair-abraham-george/Texas GOP Party Chair candidate Abraham George delivers his candidate speech during the first general session of the convention in San Antonio, on May 23, 2024.Texas GOP Party Chair candidate Abraham George delivers his candidate speech during the first general session of the convention in San Antonio, on May 23, 2024.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/23/texas-republican-convention-dade-phelan/Phelan’s foe Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick urged Republicans to stop giving Democrats a say in the speaker election.By Renzo DowneyThu, 23 May 2024 13:57:27 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/23/texas-republican-convention-dade-phelan/Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks at the 2024 Texas GOP Convention in San Antonio on May 23, 2024.Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks at the 2024 Texas GOP Convention in San Antonio on May 23, 2024.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/30/dade-phelan-nancy-pelosi-deep-fake/A mailer, paid for by the Jeff Yass-bankrolled Club for Growth Action PAC, falsely depicted Phelan in a hug with former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.By Renzo DowneyTue, 30 Apr 2024 11:38:25 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/30/dade-phelan-nancy-pelosi-deep-fake/House Speaker Dade Phelan stands at the dias during a special legislative session at the state capitol in Austin, Texas, on Nov. 17, 2023.House Speaker Dade Phelan stands at the dias during a special legislative session at the state capitol in Austin, Texas, on Nov. 17, 2023.Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/26/texas-government-artificial-intelligence/Agencies like the Texas Department of Transportation are using the technology to react to crashes and prepare invoices. More uses and regulations are coming.By Renzo DowneyTue, 26 Mar 2024 13:38:53 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/26/texas-government-artificial-intelligence/Rush hour traffic passes by on Interstate 35 through downtown Austin on the evening of Sept. 7, 2023.Rush hour traffic passes by on Interstate 35 through downtown Austin on the evening of Sept. 7, 2023.Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribune