https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/robert-downen/The latest news by Robert Downen.enWed, 15 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/15/texas-legislature-christianity-church-state-separation/Abraham George’s comments are the latest sign of the state GOP’s embrace of fundamentalist ideologies that seek to center public life around their faith.By Robert DownenWed, 15 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/15/texas-legislature-christianity-church-state-separation/Landon Schott, pastor of Mercy Culture, leads a worship service in the state Capitol extension auditorium on the first day of the 2025 state legislative session in Austin on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.Landon Schott, pastor of Mercy Culture, leads a worship service in the state Capitol extension auditorium on the first day of the 2025 state legislative session in Austin on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/14/dustin-burrows-david-cook-texas-house-speaker-vote/Burrows defeated Rep. David Cook with a coalition of Republican and Democratic votes.By James Barragán, Jasper Scherer, Renzo Downey and Robert DownenTue, 14 Jan 2025 14:46:54 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/14/dustin-burrows-david-cook-texas-house-speaker-vote/State Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) shakes hands with Rep. Jeff Leach, R- Plano, during opening day ceremonies on the House floor on Tuesday, Jan. 14th, 2025.State Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) shakes hands with Rep. Jeff Leach, R- Plano, during opening day ceremonies on the House floor on Tuesday, Jan. 14th, 2025.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/14/texas-legislature-2025-speaker-race-live-updates/The Texas House kicked off the 2025 session by electing an establishment Republican to lead the chamber, drawing criticism from within the GOP.By James Barragán, Renzo Downey, Jasper Scherer, Pooja Salhotra and Robert DownenTue, 14 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/14/texas-legislature-2025-speaker-race-live-updates/Republican Party of Texas Chair Abraham George, right, speaks to the press on the steps of the state Capitol following the vote for House speaker on Jan. 14, 2025. Looking on are Republican freshman state Reps. Wes Virdell, David Lowe, Andy Hopper and Brent Money.Republican Party of Texas Chair Abraham George speaks to the press on the steps of the state Capitol following the vote for House speaker on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. Looking on are Republican freshman state Reps. Wes Virdell, David Lowe, Andy Hopper and Brent Money.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/09/texas-house-speaker-abraham-george-republican-party-ethics-complaint/Rep. Cody Harris filed a complaint against Texas GOP Chair Abraham George for sending mailers and censuring lawmakers who support Rep. Dustin Burrows as House speaker.By Robert DownenThu, 09 Jan 2025 11:14:58 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/09/texas-house-speaker-abraham-george-republican-party-ethics-complaint/Texas GOP Chairman Abraham George addresses the crowd during a rally at the Tarrant County Republican Party Headquarters in Fort Worth on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.Texas GOP Chairman Abraham George addresses the crowd during a rally at the Tarrant County Republican Party Headquarters in Fort Worth on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.Emil T. Lippe for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/17/texas-republican-party-speaker-race-attack-ads/This is the latest example of the Republican Party of Texas spending its resources attacking its own members.By Robert DownenTue, 17 Dec 2024 16:24:22 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/17/texas-republican-party-speaker-race-attack-ads/State Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, holds a press conference in the Speaker's Committee Room, on Dec. 7, 2024, announcing he has the votes to become Speaker of the House in the upcoming legislative session.State Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, holds a press conference in the Speaker's Committee Room, on Dec. 7, 2024, announcing he has the votes to become Speaker of the House in the upcoming legislative session.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/13/texas-republican-party-house-speaker-primary-censure/Republicans who vote against party leaders’ preferred candidate could be barred from running in primaries. Lawsuits could follow.By Robert DownenFri, 13 Dec 2024 13:07:32 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/13/texas-republican-party-house-speaker-primary-censure/Delegates wait to hand in their ballots after voting on platform priorities on the last day of the Texas GOP Convention in San Antonio on Saturday, May 25, 2024.Delegates wait to hand in their ballots after voting on platform priorities on the last day of the Texas GOP Convention in San Antonio on Saturday, May 25, 2024.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/05/john-devine-christine-weems-texas-supreme-court/John Devine, Jane Bland and Jimmy Blacklock won their reelection bids over Democrat challengers backed by groups that support expanding abortion access.By Robert DownenWed, 06 Nov 2024 00:59:38 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/05/john-devine-christine-weems-texas-supreme-court/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/05/texas-election-day-trump-harris-allred-cruz-congress-legislature/Texas might not be a swing state, but many of its races will have major consequences to the national political landscape and on the lives of everyday Texans.By Texas Tribune Staff, James Barragán, Jasper Scherer, Matthew Choi, Robert Downen, Alejandro Serrano, Joshua Fechter, Kayla Guo, Pooja Salhotra and Terri LangfordTue, 05 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/05/texas-election-day-trump-harris-allred-cruz-congress-legislature/Voters wait in line at the Houston Community College Southeast voting location in Houston on Election Day.Voters wait in line at the Houston Community College Southeast voting location in Houston on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024.Mark Felix for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/01/texans-trump-administration/Donald Trump has built close ties to many Texas Republicans, from judges to elected officials to policy experts.By Matthew Choi, Robert Downen, Eleanor Klibanoff, James Barragán and Jasper SchererFri, 01 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/01/texans-trump-administration/Former President Donald Trump speaks at a rally at Million Air in Austin, Texas on Oct. 25, 2024.Former President Donald Trump speaks at a rally at Million Air in Austin, Texas on Oct. 25, 2024.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/31/texas-tarrant-county-republican-chair-social-media-bo-french/It’s the latest backlash over Tarrant County GOP Chair Bo French’s online behavior.By Robert DownenThu, 31 Oct 2024 15:30:11 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/31/texas-tarrant-county-republican-chair-social-media-bo-french/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/22/texas-supreme-court-john-devine-elvie-kingston-trust/Despite objections from her family, John Devine oversees the trust of Elvie Kingston, a clear violation of Texas’ judicial ethics rules, experts said. His wife is also her legal guardian.By Robert DownenTue, 22 Oct 2024 10:35:39 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/22/texas-supreme-court-john-devine-elvie-kingston-trust/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/11/texas-tarrant-county-tim-ohare-far-right/From cutting social services to changing election rules, Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare has pushed his agenda with an uncompromising approach.By Robert Downen, The Texas Tribune, and Jeremy Schwartz, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, Data reporting by Dan Keemahill, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, Story by Juan Salinas II, The Texas Tribune, and Jodi S. Cohen, ProPublicaFri, 11 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/11/texas-tarrant-county-tim-ohare-far-right/Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare at a Commissioners Court meeting in Fort Worth on April 18, 2023Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare listens to Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks after Brooks tells the attendees of the meeting that O’Hare “broke the system” in Fort Worth on April 18, 2023. Following a conversation between O’Hare and Elections Administrator Heider Garcia, Garcia announced his resignation. O’Hare denied responsibility, saying “I did not ask Heider to resign. I did not put pressure on Heider to resign. I did not threaten to fire Heider, I did not threaten to bring him before the election commission for review to determine if he would keep his employment. He chose to resign on his own.”Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/16/texas-republican-party-south-texas-fundraising-outreach/Several local party officials have signed an open letter warning that “grave and deteriorating” fundraising and voter outreach efforts could leave some candidates vulnerable.By Robert DownenMon, 16 Sep 2024 13:55:59 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/16/texas-republican-party-south-texas-fundraising-outreach/Newly elected Republican Party of Texas Vice-Chair D’rinda Randall, left, and Chair Abraham George and speak during the Texas GOP Convention Saturday in San Antonio.Newly elected Republican Party of Texas Vice-Chair D’rinda Randall, left, and Chair Abraham George and speak during the Texas GOP Convention Saturday, May 25, 2024 in San Antonio.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/10/dan-patrick-interim-charges-senate-texas-legislature/The new list includes many right-wing priorities, and would escalate Republicans’ wars against diversity, equity and inclusion programs and review laws to keep noncitizens off voter rolls.By Robert DownenTue, 10 Sep 2024 12:47:28 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/10/dan-patrick-interim-charges-senate-texas-legislature/Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks during the Texas GOP Convention in San Antonio on May 23, 2024.Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks during the Texas GOP Convention in San Antonio on May 23, 2024.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/21/shawn-thierry-lgbtq-gender-transitioning-care-genspect/The Houston Democrat lost her seat after backlash for voting with Republicans to ban transition-related care for minors.By Robert DownenWed, 21 Aug 2024 15:10:07 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/21/shawn-thierry-lgbtq-gender-transitioning-care-genspect/State Rep. Shawn Thierry, D-Houston, speaks to a group of her constituents on Feb. 15, 2024 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Houston.State Rep. Shawn Thierry, D-Houston, speaks to a group of her constituents on Feb. 15, 2024 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Houston.Mark Felix for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/17/abbott-texas-republican-convention-border-security/The Texas governor used his time on the Republican convention stage to praise Trump on border security and to challenge the Democratic president.By Robert Downen and Alejandro SerranoWed, 17 Jul 2024 21:00:48 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/17/abbott-texas-republican-convention-border-security/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/02/texas-el-paso-annunciation-house-ruling/Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office has accused Annunciation House, which operates a network of migrant shelters, of human smuggling.By Alejandro Serrano and Robert Downen, The Texas Tribune, and Vianna Davila, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaTue, 02 Jul 2024 11:26:09 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/02/texas-el-paso-annunciation-house-ruling/A crowd gathers a press conference at Annunciation House in El Paso on Feb. 23, 2024. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the migrant shelter, accusing it of operating a stash house and human trafficking. A judge on Tuesday ruled in favor of Annunciation House, which has been providing aid and shelter to migrants in El Paso for decades.A crowd of people gathers in support of Annunciation House during the press conference. Earlier this week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, announced a lawsuit against the migrant shelter Annunciation House for allegedly operating a stash house and human trafficking. Annunciation House has been providing aid and shelter to migrants in El Paso, Texas for more than 40 years. February 23, 2024Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/18/texas-ethics-commission-influencers-political-ads/The action comes after The Texas Tribune reported that influencers were being paid to defend impeached Attorney General Ken Paxton.By Robert DownenTue, 18 Jun 2024 13:19:41 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/18/texas-ethics-commission-influencers-political-ads/The Texas Capitol in Austin on Oct. 19, 2021.The Texas Capitol in Austin on Oct. 19, 2021.Evan L'Roy for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/15/paul-pressler-dead-southern-baptist-convention/One of the most influential evangelical figures of the last half-century, Pressler died about six months after he settled a high-profile lawsuit with a former member of his youth group.By Robert DownenSat, 15 Jun 2024 18:40:13 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/15/paul-pressler-dead-southern-baptist-convention/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/13/true-texas-project-christian-nationalism/The venue also canceled, but Fort Worth city officials demanded it still host the event. True Texas Project blamed public backlash on “woke attacks.”By Robert Downen, Kayla Guo and Juan Salinas IIThu, 13 Jun 2024 14:39:26 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/13/true-texas-project-christian-nationalism/True Texas Project founder Julie McCarty, listens to Fran Rhodes, president of the organization, as she speaks to a crowd during the Saturday closing event of TEXITCon in Waco, on Nov. 11, 2023. Rhodes urged the crowd to get involved in the organization so that they could teach and educate the next generations about Texas politics and activism.True Texas Project founder Julie McCarty, listens to Fran Rhodes, president of the organization, as she speaks to a crowd during the Saturday closing event of TEXITCon in Waco, on Nov. 11, 2023. Rhodes urged the crowd to get involved in the organization so that they could teach and educate the next generations about Texas politics and activism.Evan L'Roy for The Texas Tribune