Texas congressman's breaks with GOP could lead to censure
1 year, 10 months ago

Texas congressman's breaks with GOP could lead to censure

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Republican U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas was facing a rare potential censure Saturday by his state party over votes that included supporting new gun safety laws after the Uvalde school shooting that was in his district. A censure by the Republican Party of Texas would underline how the two-term congressman's willingness to break with conservatives on key issues during his short time in office has caused GOP activists and some colleagues alike to bristle. The potential censure illustrates the intraparty fights that still flare in America's biggest red state even as Republicans celebrate 20 years of having full control of the Texas Legislature and every statewide office. Last year, former Texas GOP Chairman Allen West stepped down from the job to mount a faint primary challenge against Republican Gov.

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History of this topic

'Take this as a warning': Texas attorney general issues ominous threat to GOP lawmakers
1 week, 2 days ago

'Take this as a warning': Texas attorney general issues ominous threat to GOP lawmakers

Raw Story  

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has a message for Republican state legislators: Don’t mess with the Texas speaker’s race – or else. The far-right attorney general – a staunch ally of President-elect Donald Trump – announced on New Year’s Eve that he would embark on a statewide tour of districts where incumbent Republican state representatives are reportedly working with Democratic …

GOP congressman predicts Republicans will lose control of the House
4 months ago

GOP congressman predicts Republicans will lose control of the House

Raw Story  

"Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales predicts GOP will lose control of the House" was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. And we're going to lose it because of ourselves,” Gonzales said in an interview with Punchbowl News’ Jake Sherman …

Judge in Texas orders pause on Biden program that offers legal status to spouses of US citizens
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Judge in Texas orders pause on Biden program that offers legal status to spouses of US citizens

Associated Press  

McALLEN, Texas — A federal judge in Texas on Monday paused a Biden administration policy that would give spouses of U.S. citizens legal status without having to first leave the country, dealing at least a temporary setback to one of the biggest presidential actions to ease a path to citizenship in years. The states accused the administration of bypassing Congress …

Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan Wins GOP Primary Runoff, Fending Off Anger Over Impeachment
7 months, 1 week ago

Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan Wins GOP Primary Runoff, Fending Off Anger Over Impeachment

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING AUSTIN, Texas — U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas was out to save his job Tuesday in a GOP primary runoff that has put rifts within the party on display. A Gonzales loss, his supporters warn, would give Democrats an opening to flip a traditionally moderate district in November, while a change in Texas House leadership could …

Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan wins GOP primary runoff, fending off anger over impeachment
7 months, 1 week ago

Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan wins GOP primary runoff, fending off anger over impeachment

Hindustan Times  

AUSTIN, Texas — Republican Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan has won his primary runoff to survive a wave of party turbulence in America’s biggest red state and anger from the right over last year’s impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan wins GOP primary runoff, fending off anger over impeachment A shakeup in the Texas …

Republican Texas House Speaker Headed To Runoff As AG Ken Paxton Takes Revenge
10 months ago

Republican Texas House Speaker Headed To Runoff As AG Ken Paxton Takes Revenge

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING AUSTIN, Texas — Republican Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan headed to a primary runoff against challenger David Covey, bruising one of the state’s most powerful figures and emboldening state Attorney General Ken Paxton in his revenge campaign to oust GOP incumbent lawmakers who sought his impeachment. The state party censured Phelan last month for his vote to …

Texas GOP US Rep. Tony Gonzales heads to a runoff against Brandon Herrera
10 months ago

Texas GOP US Rep. Tony Gonzales heads to a runoff against Brandon Herrera

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas, who drew a rare rebuke by his own state party last year over breaking with conservatives in Congress on key issues, was forced into a runoff from the right on Tuesday night against challenger Brandon Herrera. The race was among the most closely watched House primaries in Texas, where U.S. Rep. …

Fighting the GOP Civil War, Texas Style
10 months ago

Fighting the GOP Civil War, Texas Style

Politico  

At first blush, the Republican-on-Republican violence can feel a bit like the Lone Star version of a Quentin Tarantino picture, with bullets spraying around and the viewer needing a dramatis personae to keep track of it all. “He sues Biden, we like that, he’s our guy.” Doing nothing to hide his frustration, the speaker said Republicans were tempting the same …

In Texas’s Super Tuesday races, a litmus test for Trump’s Republican Party
10 months ago

In Texas’s Super Tuesday races, a litmus test for Trump’s Republican Party

Al Jazeera  

Seen as a conservative bulwark, Texas is hosting races that pit moderates against the Donald Trump-influenced far right. “It’s important to always keep in mind that among the most influential and important red states is Texas,” said Mark Jones, a political science fellow at the Baker Institute for Public Policy in Houston. “No one else really comes close in terms …

Texas judge says no quick ruling expected over GOP efforts to toss 2022 election losses near Houston
1 year, 4 months ago

Texas judge says no quick ruling expected over GOP efforts to toss 2022 election losses near Houston

Associated Press  

HOUSTON — A Texas judge presiding over Republicans’ widespread challenges to losses in the 2022 elections around Houston said Thursday not to expect a quick ruling following a trial in which no GOP voters came forward to testify that they were unable to vote because of ballot shortages or delayed poll openings last November. At the heart of the challenge …

How the Texas backlash to Obama fueled the conservative drive to reinterpret the U.S. Constitution
1 year, 5 months ago

How the Texas backlash to Obama fueled the conservative drive to reinterpret the U.S. Constitution

Raw Story  

In November 2008, almost 70 million people turned out to vote for the nation’s first Black president and their hope for once-in-a-generation political change. True believers Ted Cruz, who would ride Texas’ Obama outrage to a U.S. Senate seat in 2012, laid the foundation for the solicitor general’s office as a legal champion of conservative causes. “I thought it would …

Texas congressman who broke with GOP is censured
1 year, 10 months ago

Texas congressman who broke with GOP is censured

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Republican U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas was censured Saturday in a rare move by his state party over votes that included supporting new gun safety laws after the Uvalde school shooting in his district. “The Republican Party of Texas would be wise to follow his lead and do some actual work.” The vote followed an hourlong, …

Rice loses House seat after impeaching Trump; Mace holds on
2 years, 6 months ago

Rice loses House seat after impeaching Trump; Mace holds on

Associated Press  

CHARLESTON, S.C. — U.S. Rep. Tom Rice of South Carolina has been ousted from Congress in his Republican primary after voting to impeach Donald Trump over the Jan. 6 insurrection. In other races Tuesday, Democratic Rep. Dina Titus in Nevada handily defeated her progressive challenger, while Republican Rep. Mark Amodei won his primary against a son of one of the …

Texas results hint GOP Hispanic gains may endure post-Trump
2 years, 9 months ago

Texas results hint GOP Hispanic gains may endure post-Trump

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Just 46 residents of Starr County, Texas, cast ballots in the state’s Republican primary two years ago. By contrast, she said, Trump has helped Republicans win over Hispanics on issues including job creation, education and traditional religious beliefs: “We connected with them intellectually, economically and spiritually.” Abel Prado, executive director of the Democratic advocacy group Cambio Texas in …

Texas results hint GOP Hispanic gains may endure post-Trump
2 years, 9 months ago

Texas results hint GOP Hispanic gains may endure post-Trump

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. By contrast, she said, Trump has helped Republicans win over Hispanics on issues including …

Texas election day is a time to say goodbye to some well-known candidates: analysis
2 years, 10 months ago

Texas election day is a time to say goodbye to some well-known candidates: analysis

Raw Story  

No matter how the Texas primaries shake out on Tuesday, voters will send some well-known politicians packing. The Republican race for attorney general might be the best example, with three candidates who’ve been elected statewide and an East Texas congressman who’s familiar to anyone with a cable TV subscription. But the ethical clouds over Paxton attracted strong challengers from his …

Texas congressman joins GOP race for attorney general
3 years, 1 month ago

Texas congressman joins GOP race for attorney general

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert has joined the crowded field of Republicans mounting primary challenges against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Despite the federal investigation and long-standing legal problems, Paxton has remained competitive in his party’s primary and won former President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Rather, he said in a video Monday that he backs many of the attorney …

GOP’s Matt Krause joins race against Texas AG Ken Paxton
3 years, 3 months ago

GOP’s Matt Krause joins race against Texas AG Ken Paxton

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Republican Matt Krause, a longtime ally of embattled Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, said Thursday he is joining the growing ranks of candidates who will challenge him for his job in 2022. Paxton is seeking a third term under the cloud of an FBI investigation, set off by an extraordinary revolt by his top deputes last year, …

Texas law enforcement enlisted to end Democrats’ holdout
3 years, 4 months ago

Texas law enforcement enlisted to end Democrats’ holdout

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Republicans enlisted the help of law enforcement for the first time Thursday to force the return of Democratic legislators who fled the state a month ago to block new voting restrictions. The Texas Department of Public Safety, the state’s law enforcement division, said in a statement that it did not “discuss operational specifics” and referred further …

Texas governor orders new try at passing GOP voting laws
3 years, 5 months ago

Texas governor orders new try at passing GOP voting laws

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday ordered the Legislature to reconvene for a third time to try to pass a Republican-backed voting restrictions bill that Democratic members blocked by leaving the state nearly a month ago. State Rep. Chris Turner, the leader of the House Democratic Caucus, would not say following Abbott’s announcement whether they would return …

GOP’s Jake Ellzey wins US House seat over Trump-backed rival
3 years, 5 months ago

GOP’s Jake Ellzey wins US House seat over Trump-backed rival

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Republican Jake Ellzey of Texas won a U.S. House seat on Tuesday night over a rival backed by Donald Trump, dealing the former president a defeat in a test of his endorsement power since leaving office. Ellzey’s come-from-behind victory over Republican Susan Wright, the widow of the late Rep. Ron Wright, in a special congressional election runoff …

GOP eyes Latinos in South Texas in effort to regain Congress
3 years, 5 months ago

GOP eyes Latinos in South Texas in effort to regain Congress

Associated Press  

McALLEN, Texas — In Republicans’ bid to retake control of Congress, this traditionally Democratic stretch of South Texas has quietly become a top battleground. “I don’t think there’s any question that we need to be concerned about it and we need to put more resources into it,” said Gilberto Hinojosa, the chair of the Texas Democratic Party. He described last …

Texas Democrats dig in after exodus; GOP threatens arrest
3 years, 5 months ago

Texas Democrats dig in after exodus; GOP threatens arrest

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Democrats who hurriedly took off to Washington to block sweeping new election laws urged Congress on Tuesday to quickly pass legislation protecting voting rights, while Republican Gov. In Austin, House Republicans authorized state troopers to find and corral missing legislators, while a depleted but still-working state Senate passed new voting restrictions in a show of GOP …

Biden slams Republican state voting bills as ‘un-American’
3 years, 5 months ago

Biden slams Republican state voting bills as ‘un-American’

Al Jazeera  

Texas legislators go to Washington and call on US President Joe Biden and Congress to counter state voting restrictions. It suppresses and subjugates.” Invoking the US civil rights movement of the 1960s and the historic battle for Black liberation that began after slavery, Biden delivered a fiery speech in Philadelphia condemning the drive by Republicans in several US states including …

Allen West will challenge Texas Gov. Abbott in GOP primary
3 years, 6 months ago

Allen West will challenge Texas Gov. Abbott in GOP primary

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Republican Allen West, the former Florida congressman and firebrand who rode into office on the tea party wave a decade ago, said Sunday that he will run for governor of Texas in a bid to again seize on restless anger from the right. Greg Abbott, who is up for a third term and may also be eyeing …

Texas GOP’s Allen West resigns after combative run as chair
3 years, 7 months ago

Texas GOP’s Allen West resigns after combative run as chair

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas GOP Chairman Allen West said Friday he is stepping down after a short but combative run of using the job to antagonize top Republicans in America’s biggest red state, including protesting outside Gov. The decision intensified speculation that West, a firebrand who served one term in the U.S. House after coming up during the tea party …

Democratic Rep. Vela of Texas won’t run again in 2022
3 years, 9 months ago

Democratic Rep. Vela of Texas won’t run again in 2022

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Democratic Rep. Filemon Vela of Texas announced Monday that he will not seek reelection to his congressional district on the southern border where Republicans are seeing new chances in 2022. But a big swing in voters along the heavily Latino border toward former President Donald Trump last year is giving Republicans new optimism in a region where …

House Latest: GOP’s Hinson ousts US Rep. Finkenauer in Iowa
4 years, 2 months ago

House Latest: GOP’s Hinson ousts US Rep. Finkenauer in Iowa

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Latest on the 2020 House races : 10:50 a.m. Republican state Rep. Ashley Hinson has defeated Democratic incumbent Abby Finkenauer to win a northeastern Iowa congressional seat. — Presidency hinges on tight races in battleground states ___ HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON: 9:55 a.m. Republican Lauren Boebert has won the Colorado House seat held by five-term …

The Latest: Republicans keep Rep. Will Hurd’s seat in Texas
4 years, 2 months ago

The Latest: Republicans keep Rep. Will Hurd’s seat in Texas

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — The Latest on the general election in Texas : 2:15 a.m. Republicans have hung onto the Texas congressional seat left by Rep. Will Hurd, one of the GOP’s most outspoken critics of President Donald Trump. ___ 1:05 a.m. Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas is returning to Congress after staving off a high-profile challenge from Democrat Wendy …

How a former right-wing congressman from Florida just became Texas GOP's new chairman
4 years, 5 months ago

How a former right-wing congressman from Florida just became Texas GOP's new chairman

Salon  

Allen West, the firebrand former Florida congressman, has defeated Texas GOP Chairman James Dickey to lead the country's largest state Republican Party. West briefly joined Dickey on the convention broadcast, saying the two are "united in one single message" of keeping Texas a "strong, red conservative state." "We're disgusted but not surprised that Texas Republicans chose a certified racist conservative …

Texas GOP speaker tape: Lawmaker ‘vile,’ Trump ‘killing us’
5 years, 2 months ago

Texas GOP speaker tape: Lawmaker ‘vile,’ Trump ‘killing us’

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas’ GOP House speaker sought help ousting members of his own party in 2020, called a female lawmaker “vile” and said President Donald Trump is “killing us” in pivotal races in a secretly recorded meeting with a conservative activist released Tuesday. “With all due respect to Trump, who I love, he’s killing us in urban, suburban districts,” …

Texas’ embattled elections chief on brink of losing job
5 years, 7 months ago

Texas’ embattled elections chief on brink of losing job

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas’ embattled elections chief who wrongly questioned the U.S. citizenship of tens of thousands of voters was on the brink of losing his job Sunday, while Republican lawmakers prepared to head home hoping to save their own in 2020. The botched search reignited tensions over voting rights in Texas, and Whitley angered Democrats when he went on …

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