Party Politics

After a season packed with political drama, legal battles, campaign chaos, and some truly surreal headlines, Party Politics wrapped up Season 4 with a look back at the moments viewers talked about most. Hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina revisited some of the year’s biggest conversations — from Texas elections and redistricting fights to immigration debates, economic frustrations, and...

Foreign policy tensions, rising gas prices, redistricting wars, and major Texas political maneuvering all collide in this week’s episode of Party Politics . Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina break down how escalating conflict with Iran is creating political headaches for the White House — especially as Americans continue to feel economic pressure at the pump. The episode examines t...

This week, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss how the United States is more polarized than ever, why polarization is at an all-time high, the connection between partisan behaviors and social media, political resentment and anxiety, the implications of polarization and possible solutions. TOPICS:The United States is more politically polarized than ever. Why is polarization at...

The 2028 presidential election may feel far away, but the race to define it is already underway. On this week’s Party Politics , Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina break down how Democrats are quietly shaping their next presidential strategy—long before a single vote is cast. At the center of the conversation is the “invisible primary,” the behind-the-scenes competition where candid...

A fragile ceasefire with Iran. Gas prices climbing past $4. A redistricting gamble backfiring. And a wave of resignations shaking Washington. This week on Party Politics , co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss everything—from foreign policy to Texas politics and how they collide in ways that could shape the midterm elections. At the center of it all is President Donald Trump’s...

This week on Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss a political fight between Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV quickly became the most unexpected — and politically risky. The tension began after Pope Leo criticized how some political leaders use scripture to justify policies, emphasizing that the teachings of Jesus center on love, compassion, and caring for neighbor...

It was another whirlwind week in politics, and this episode of Party Politics co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina tackled everything from rising tensions with Iran to a major Supreme Court battle and growing political fights in Texas. The president announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran, stepping back from escalating rhetoric that had raised fears of military conflict. While the pa...

This week on Party Politics, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss how national and Texas political tensions collide as lawmakers brace for a turbulent stretch ahead of the midterms. At the national level, Republicans quietly weigh the possibility of a midterm conference as party leaders assess strategy and internal divisions. Meanwhile, a partial government shutdown ripples ou...

Why do so many Texans sit out elections—even when local decisions shape daily life? On this episode of Party Politics , co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina,  break down the real reasons behind Texas’ persistently low voter turnout. Texas routinely ranks near the bottom nationally when it comes to voter participation. While turnout sometimes spikes during competitive presidential elec...

On this episode of Party Politics, co-hosts Jeronimo Cortina and Brandon Rottinghaus go into overtime after one of the most active Texas primaries in recent memory. What was expected to be a sleepy election instead delivered record-breaking turnout, historic numbers of runoffs, and warning signs for both parties heading into November. Democratic turnout surged by roughly 200 percent, while Republi...

A turbulent week in politics delivered both international tension and major shakeups in Texas elections. On this week’s episode of Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina unpack how conflict overseas and surprising primary results at home could shape the political landscape heading into November. The episode begins with the escalating conflict between the United States an...

This week on Party Politics, hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina unpack a fast-moving political landscape that spans international security, presidential power, and the high-stakes road to the midterms. The episode opens with escalating cartel violence in Mexico, tied to recent unrest in Puerto Vallarta following the capture—and death—of a major cartel leader from the Jalisco New Genera...

If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, contact the  988 National & Suicide Crisis Lifeline  by calling or texting 988.  This week on Party Politics , co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina examined how a turbulent election season is colliding with moments of national reflection and intensifying political drama in Texas. The episode opened with the death...

In this week’s episode of Party Politics , co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina break down how Washington brinkmanship and Texas political warfare converged, underscoring how national chaos and state-level power struggles increasingly mirror one another. At the federal level, the threat of a government shutdown resurfaced—this time over funding for the Department of Homeland Security....

Texas politics delivered no shortage of drama this week, and the latest episode of Party Politics breaks down a fast-moving landscape shaped by runoff elections, national power struggles, and the growing influence of digital media. This week on Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss Democrats notched key victories in pivotal runoff races. Taylor Rehmet secured a...

This week on Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina take a deep dive into the growing tension between the Supreme Court and the presidency — and what these high-stakes legal battles mean for American democracy. The Court is set to rule on former President Donald Trump’s use of tariffs, a decision that could reshape the limits of executive authority over trade. At the sam...

On this week’s episode of Party Politics and part two of a conversation about upcoming primaries, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina examine growing turbulence inside the Texas Republican Party as the state heads toward another high-stakes election season. With multiple open races, crowded fields, and deep ideological divisions, the primaries may do more than choose nominees — they...

On this week’s episode of Party Politics, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina unpack a crowded political landscape—from Texas primaries and election oversight to national power struggles and unrest abroad. We begin in Texas, where former President Donald Trump has yet to endorse in a key U.S. Senate race, leaving Republican candidates to jockey for attention in a high-stakes contest....

This week on Party Politics , co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina start the conversation far from Texas, with a global crisis that’s quickly becoming a domestic political test: the invasion of Venezuela. The discussion examines what the situation in Venezuela means for U.S. foreign policy, the international response, and how the conflict is already shaping political debate at home. T...

This week on Party Politics , co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina take a tour through a Texas political landscape that’s shifting from the Rio Grande Valley to the suburbs of Fort Worth — and everywhere in between. Democrats across the state are trying to chart a path forward, and a wave of new candidates is giving us a clearer picture of what 2026 might look like. We start in South...

This week on Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina dig into a week packed with political curveballs — from Austin to D.C. — and even into the courtroom. Texas said goodbye to two public servants who left their mark on the state’s political and educational landscape. Former Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff and former U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige both passed away, leaving behi...

This week on Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina take a deep dive into the growing tension between the Supreme Court and the presidency — and what these high-stakes legal battles mean for American democracy. The Court is set to rule on former President Donald Trump’s use of tariffs, a decision that could reshape the limits of executive authority over trade. At the sam...

This week on Party Politics , co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina unpack a full slate of stories where courts, campaigns, and culture collide in Texas politics. Governor Greg Abbott has set a date for the Congressional District 18 runoff, a race drawing statewide attention as candidates compete to represent a key Houston-area district. But as voters get ready to cast ballots, a feder...

It was a big week in Texas politics — and Houston took center stage. California Governor Gavin Newsom and Texas Governor Greg Abbott both visited the Bayou City, bringing national attention to two of the country’s most visible political rivals. Abbott used his stop to announce his reelection campaign, while Newsom’s visit highlighted Democratic leadership on issues like immigration and climate — a...

This week on Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina break down a whirlwind of political developments shaping both the national and Texas landscapes — from Washington’s latest power transitions to Houston’s holiday stage. On the national front, a major political era nears its end as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced she will not seek reelection, closing a decade...