Texas Take

Abortion rights are front and center once again in Texas as it appears the United States Supreme Court is poised to overturn the landmark Roe v Wade decision. Plus, Sen. Cruz predicts Republicans are going to sweep elections this year in South Texas, when he really means parts of The Valley. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political wri...

As Gov. Greg Abbott ramps up "border security" spending even more, there are growing questions about the increasing number of military deaths along the Rio Grande. Plus, Rep. Chip Roy calls Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez a "communist witch" and a Texas death row inmate's life is spared at the last minute. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle...

Gov. Greg Abbott and Beto O'Rourke traded jabs this week in the race for governor over Abbott's shutdown of the Texas-Mexico border. Plus, a right-wing activist in Houston was indicted over an election fraud conspiracy theory and some in the Texas GOP started to ramp up pressure on state leaders to embrace a school voucher program. At least not yet, anyway. Join the conversation with Scott Braddoc...

Gov. Greg Abbott this week announced he'd be busing migrants from the Texas border to Washington, DC. But later his office let us all know it would be on a voluntary basis. Liberals and some conservatives alike blasted it as a "bullshit stunt." Meantime, we're sorry to tell you it's not likely that Beto O'Rourke and Abbott are actually tied in the race for governor. At least not yet, anyway. Join...

After trashing renewable energy during last year's deadly winter storm, Gov. Greg Abbott this week did something of an about face on the value of renewable energy sources in Texas. Plus, Sen. John Cornyn signals Republicans are not done with their fight in opposition to gay marriage. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jere...

Sen. Ted Cruz sought the spotlight during the confirmation hearings for President Biden's pick for the Supreme Court, Judge Katanji Brown Jackson. Plus, we revisit this question: Is Beto O'Rourke too mean this time around in his campaign against Gov. Greg Abbott or is he being just mean enough? Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political...

Gov. Greg Abbott continues to slam President Joe Biden over the deadly flow of fentanyl across the border even though, as Jeremy notes, both the feds and the state are having some success cracking down on it. Plus the State of Texas goes after families with transgender children as alleged "child abusers" while the state acknowledges horrific child abuse in state-funded facilities. Join the convers...

The Texas primary is in the books and the GOP candidates for Attorney General are already arguing over which one of them should get a show of love from former President Trump. Meantime one of the Democrats running for Lt. Gov. called on the other to drop out of the race. Why? Plus congressional runoffs may test the strength of progressives in South Texas. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock,...

As the clock ticks down to March 1 and early voting wraps up, top Texas Republicans broke with ex-President Trump this week when he praised Russian President Vladimir Putin after he ordered troops to invade Ukraine. Plus three of the GOP candidates for Texas Attorney General faced off in a televised debate as they looked for a chance at a runoff with AG Ken Paxton, who did not join them on stage....

Just two days before a key deadline, Texas Secretary of State John Scott attempted to clear up confusion about how to apply for a mail-in ballot while Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick managed to confuse GOP voters about how to do it. Meanwhile, some listeners wanted to know our thoughts on AOC's comments that Texas will inevitably "turn blue." Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Re...

Early voting has begun in the election of consequence in Texas: The primary. Gov. Greg Abbott, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Ag Commissioner Sid Miller all face multiple challengers as they try to win by pushing in all their chips on former President Trump's endorsement. Down ballot races are heating up as well and we've got you covered. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The...

The latest ice storm in Texas, almost nothing like the one that was so devastating last year, has mostly passed but not without causing a panic across the state and potential political fallout on the campaign trail. Plus, Republicans lash out at Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo after the funeral of a fallen officer. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Housto...

Former President Trump is slated to return to Houston this weekend as a war rages within the Texas GOP over his endorsement of Gov. Greg Abbott. Plus, Beto O'Rourke sets the tone for in-person campaigning and in-person voting despite lingering concerns about the pandemic. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. ...

As he courts GOP primary voters and makes good on promises to contributors, Gov. Greg Abbott has to carefully maintain that he's pro-public education in Texas while pushing more "school choice" initiatives including a "Parental Bill of Rights." Meanwhile, Beto O'Rourke had an impressive fundraising haul and Rep. Dan Crenshaw gets into an argument with a young girl because it's possible he just tal...

With the March primary coming up faster than you think, candidates for statewide office are crisscrossing Texas making their pitch to voters. The Republicans and the Democrat trying to oust Gov. Greg Abbott are slamming him on everything from the border to covid. Meantime, the race for Texas Agriculture Commissioner emerges as maybe the nastiest race of the moment. Join the conversation with Scott...

2022 in Texas politics starts with GOP politicians going out of their way not to speak too harshly about the January 6th insurrection. That includes Sen. Ted Cruz, who called the attackers "terrorists" until a Fox News host took him to task for it. Plus, the race for governor is heating up with bipartisan attacks against Gov. Greg Abbott. Join the conversation as we start the year with Scott Bradd...

Now that the Supreme Court has let stand a six-week abortion ban in Texas enforced by civil lawsuits, Democratic states want to crack down on guns using a similar scheme while some GOP states want to unleash private lawsuits over "critcal race theory." Plus, Texas' highest criminal court puts an end to Attorney General Ken Paxton's prosecutions of what he calls "voter fraud" cases. Join the conver...

With the filing deadline approaching Monday, this is when the rubber meets the road for anyone who wants to run for office in Texas. Plus, the state is in court with the feds over abortion, redistricting, and more. And Attorney General Ken Paxton is lavished with praise by ex-President Trump. Is that really all it takes to win this GOP primary? Join the conversation featuring Scott Braddock, edito...

As Democratic candidate Beto O'Rourke ramps up his attacks on Gov. Greg Abbott over the failure of the Texas electricity grid earlier this year, the Republican governor says he can "guarantee the lights will stay on." Plus, the vaccine mandate wars continue in Austin and Washington as Abbott tries desperately to avoid another special session of the Legislature. Join the conversation featuring Scot...

After months of anticipation among Texas Democrats, former Rep. Beto O'Rourke this week announced his candidacy for governor against Gov. Greg Abbott. Plus, retirements are stacking up in the Texas Legislature as new candidates come forward to file for office all across the Great State. Join the conversation featuring Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political wri...

The Texas Attorney General's race got a jolt this week as archconservative Congressman Louie Gohmert announced he's considering running against Trump-endorsed incumbent Ken Paxton in the GOP primary. Plus, some in the Texas GOP now have a new target for their anger: Big Bird. Yes, you read that right. Join the conversation featuring Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicl...

From abortion to election laws, Texas and the United States are locking horns in court. Plus, retirements abound in the Texas Legislature just as the campaign season is set to kick off with candidates throwing their hats in the ring starting in about a week. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.  Support the show: https://o...

Why are Texas Republicans, including Gov. Abbott, embracing a chant that goes "Let's go Brandon"? Well, the answer actually informs just about everything happening in the state's politics at the moment. Plus the new Texas abortion law will be before the Supreme Court next week. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.  Support...

Gov. Abbott racked up wins and losses in the finally-concluded special legislative session, including a big loss on vaccine mandates. Plus the new Texas Secretary of State is a Trump loyalist who tried to overturn the election last year. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.  Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicl...

Amid a flurry of issues in Texas politics as another special session careens toward its end, we thought it would be good to slow down a little and talk about potential long term consequences of some of the debates unfolding at the Capitol this year. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.  Support the show: https://offers.hou...